AFC playoff picture: Steelers in, Jets out

Jan 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin argues a call during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin argues a call during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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The AFC playoff picture has cleared up considerably after the early slate of games.

After the early slate of games on Sunday the AFC playoff picture has come into focus. While we don’t know where every team will be seeded, all six teams have been decided.

The following teams will be playing in the 2016 NFL postseason:

  • Denver Broncos
  • Cincinnati Bengals
  • Houston Texans
  • Kansas City Chiefs
  • New England Patriots
  • Pittsburgh Steelers

Coming into Sunday, things were a little murky for the AFC. The Pittsburgh Steelers needed a little help, as they faced the Cleveland Browns and required a loss by the New York Jets. Predictably, the Browns folded like a lawn chair and gifted their game to the Steelers on several different occasions. After defeating the Patriots last week and staying alive, the Jets just needed to beat former coach Rex Ryan and the Buffalo Bills. That proved to be too much of a task, as in a game that was sloppy on both sides, the Bills proved less bad and bounced their divisional rival from the playoffs.

The Houston Texans handily took care of business at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars. And after a season that began unsteadily with a Hard Knocks campaign, Houston finally started gaining traction late in the year to claim the moribund AFC South.

Seeding will be determined following the afternoon slate of games, but for now we know who is dancing.