Let's Set Odds: Who Will Make the AFC Playoffs?
Week 15 of the NFL season is in the books for all AFC teams, and the playoff picture got even muddier on Monday night after the Las Vegas Raiders defeated the Cleveland Browns.
The Chiefs sit atop the AFC at 10-4, and the Patriots and Titans are right behind them at 9-5. After that, there are five teams at 8-6, the Steelers are at 7-6-1, and then four other teams are at 7-7. That's one crowded group with only three games to go.
Just for fun, let's set some odds for who will make the AFC postseason.
Odds to Make AFC Playoffs
Kansas City Chiefs (10-4) -10000
The Chiefs were 3-4 after Week 7, and there were whispers that they were potentially going to miss the playoffs. They've put those concerns to rest as they've won seven straight games and now hold the No. 1 seed in the conference. The road to the Super Bowl in the AFC may go through Arrowhead Stadium.
New England Patriots (9-5) -5000
Even if the Patriots lose to the Bills in Week 16, they should almost certainly still be in the playoffs. They close out their season with games against the Jaguars and Dolphins.
Tennessee Titans (9-5) -2000
The Titans have stumbled as of late, losing three of their last four games. Even with that being the case, Tennessee won enough games earlier in the season that they should walk into the postseason. Their final three games are against the 49ers, Dolphins, and the Texans.
Buffalo Bills (8-6) -1000
The Buffalo Bills may be only sitting in the No. 6 seed as of writing this article, but they have an easy path to the postseason. They can be put themselves in the drivers seat with a win over the Patriots in Week 16, and then they cap off their year with cupcake games against the Falcons and the Jets.
Indianapolis Colts (8-6) -200
This is where things get a little bit more tricky, but the Colts should find themselves in the playoffs barring a complete collapse. They have a tough matchup against the Cardinals in Week 16, but they finish off the season with winnable games against the Raiders and Jaguars.
Los Angeles Chargers (8-6) -145
Much like the Colts, the Chargers also have a favorable schedule in their final three weeks. They'll likely be favored in all three matchups, as they're set to take on the Texans, Broncos, and Raiders. The AFC West might be out of the picture, but they're still well in the hunt for the playoffs.
Cincinnati Bengals (8-6) +120
Some one has to win the AFC North. The Bengals and Ravens are both tied at 8-6, but Cincinnati currently holds the tiebreaker. They don't have a single cupcake game down the stretch, but they control their own destiny with games against the Ravens and Browns. Week 17 against the Chiefs will be a tough challenge, but 2-1 in their final three games will be enough to win the division.
Baltimore Ravens (8-6) +200
The Ravens are currently tied with the Bengals, but they don't hold the tiebreaker at the current moment. Their Week 16 matchup against the Bengals will loom large this week, especially with games against the Rams and Steelers to scheduled to end their season. They need Lamar Jackson healthy and ready to put forth his best stuff.
Cleveland Browns (7-7) +350
The Browns' playoff hopes took a big shot on Monday night when they fell to the Las Vegas Raiders. Hope is not lost just quite yet. If Cleveland can bounce back with an upset win against the Packers in Week 16, they can control their own destiny in the final two weeks against the Steelers and Bengals.
Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6-1) +475
The Steelers may currently have a half game advantage over the Browns, but their stats show that they're the weakest team in the division and their schedule for the final three games doesn't help their chances. They'll face the Chiefs in Week 16, and then will take on the Browns and Ravens in the final two weeks.
Miami Dolphins (7-7) +700
The Miami Dolphins have quietly won six straight games, which is the second longest win streak in the NFL next to the Chiefs. They don't have the easiest finish to their schedule, but going 3-0 is not completely out of the question. If they can beat the Saints, Titans, and Patriots, they'll get in the playoffs at 10-7.
Las Vegas Raiders (7-7) +800
The Raiders kept their season alive when they beat the Browns on a last second field goal in Week 16. Good news for them is that if they finish the season going 3-0 in their final three games, that should be enough to make the postseason. The bad news is that they face two playoff teams in the Colts and Chargers. Week 16 against the Broncos will be an absolute must-win.
Denver Broncos (7-7) +1500
The Denver Broncos are technically still alive and could sneak in if they go 3-0 to finish the year, but they have a tough schedule to finish the season have to play the Raiders, Chargers and Chiefs. It's unlikely that their offense will have enough power to hang in all three of those games.