NFL Playoffs 2016: AFC Wild Card race Week 16

Nov 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston (50) forces a fumble against Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) in the second quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

With two games left, the AFC Wild Card race has two clear favorites.

Enter Week 16, the AFC Wild Card race finally has some clarity. At 10-4, the Kansas City Chiefs can win and clinch at least a Wild Card spot. The Miami Dolphins are 9-5, giving them a one-game advantage in the race for the last playoff seed.

Kansas City win all but eliminates Denver

Christmas Day’s Sunday Night Football game has the Denver Broncos traveling to Arrowhead to play the Chiefs. A Kansas City win clinches Andy Reid his third postseason trip in four seasons with Kansas City.

A Denver loss on Sunday night will make it extremely difficult for the team to qualify. A loss would push Denver to 8-7, with a Week 17 matchup coming against Oakland. Even if Denver were to win in Week 17, a 9-7 record would require help from a lot and winning a tiebreaker to make the playoffs.

Dolphins win, eliminates Buffalo

Miami travels to Buffalo on Christmas Eve to play the Bills. At 9-5, Miami is the leader for the second AFC Wild Card. A Miami win eliminates Buffalo. With Miami facing New England in Week 17, Miami could get to 11 wins if things break right.

A Bills win and they keep their slim playoff hopes alive. For Buffalo to make the playoffs, it needs to win out, have the Dolphins to lose out and win a tiebreaker against every 9-7 team. A Buffalo loss could mean the end of the Rex Ryan era in Buffalo and prolong the league’s longest playoff drought.

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Baltimore at Pittsburgh decides AFC North and impacts Wild Card Race

Baltimore and Pittsburgh play on Christmas afternoon in a game that will decide the AFC North and third seed in the AFC playoff picture. If Pittsburgh wins, it wins the division. If the Ravens win, chaos in the AFC playoff picture happens.

If the Ravens win, they will hold the tiebreaker over the Steelers for the AFC North title. A Pittsburgh loss will see the team finish with 10 wins, assuming it doesn’t lose to the winless Cleveland Browns. If the Steelers and Dolphins both finish with 10 wins, the Dolphins make the playoff with their win over the Steelers.

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