AFC playoff scenarios, Week 15: Bengals, Broncos can clinch

Record: 8-5
Current seed: No. 6
Remaining schedule: at Dallas, vs. New England, at Buffalo

Where they stand

New York is playing terrific football and has itself sitting in second place of the AFC East and holding onto the sixth and final playoff spot in the AFC. The Jets play on Saturday night this week, going to visit the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. The Jets could put themselves in really nice position going forward with a win.

Considering both the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to win this week against their respective opponents, New York needs to keep pace against Dallas, which has only won one game all season without Tony Romo under center.

What needs to happen

The Jets can not clinch a postseason berth this week, but they can give themselves some scenarios coming in Week 16. Yet, should the Jets win out, they are not assured of making the playoffs. If the Steelers and Chiefs also win out, New York won’t reach the postseason for the first time since the Rex Ryan era in 2010. Ironically, it will have to play against Ryan’s Buffalo Bills in Week 17 at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

New York could also make the playoffs by winning two of its final three, provided that either the Steelers or Chiefs also lose a game over the next trio of weeks.

Next: 7. Pittsburgh Steelers