2016 AFC Playoff Picture: Week 16
Here’s a look at the playoff picture in the AFC heading into Week 16.
With two weeks left in the regular season, the playoff picture in the NFL is starting to take shape. In the AFC, one division champion, one first-round bye and two playoff berths have been clinched, and everything else is to be determined.
Let’s take a look at the playoff picture in the AFC, starting with the current division leaders.
AFC East-New England Patriots (12-2): The Patriots clinched the AFC East and a first-round bye with last Sunday’s win over the Denver Broncos. Home field advantage through the playoffs seems likely, and the Patriots have to be considered the favorite to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.
AFC West-Oakland Raiders (11-3): With a comeback win over the San Diego Chargers in Week 15, the Raiders clinched their first playoff berth since 2002. Losing the season series to the Kansas City Chiefs could be a thing down the road, but of the Raiders win out they will assure themselves a first-round bye.
AFC North-Pittsburgh Steelers (9-5): A five-game winning streak has put the Steelers into the AFC North lead, ahead of a critical Christmas Day game against the Baltimore Ravens. Pittsburgh can clinch the division with a win, or put their playoff chances in peril with a loss that would give the Ravens the head-to-head tiebreaker.
AFC South-Houston Texans (8-6): Brock Osweiler finally got benched in Week 15, and Tom Savage will start Christmas Eve night against the Cincinnati Bengals. If only by default, the Texans might win the AFC South again.
Wild Cards: Kansas City Chiefs (10-4), Miami Dolphins (9-5),
In The Hunt: Baltimore Ravens (8-6), Tennessee Titans (8-6), Denver Broncos (8-6), Indianapolis Colts (7-7), Buffalo Bills (7-7)
Next: NFL 2016: 5 biggest disappearing acts of the season
Key Week 16 games (Saturday unless otherwise noted):
Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans-8:25 p.m. ET
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills-1 p.m. ET
New York Jets at New England Patriots- 1 p.m. ET
Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars-1 p.m. ET
Indianapolis Colts at Oakland Raiders-4:05 p.m. ET
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers-4:30 p.m. ET (Sunday)
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs-8:30 p.m. ET (Sunday night)