The NFL playoff picture is starting to come into focus, especially on the AFC side where teams can clinch spots on Sunday.
Going into Week 15, the AFC has two clear favorites and then a bunch of teams hoping to get hot at the right time. Perhaps the Jacksonville Jaguars and Kansas City Chiefs are doing just that.
Jacksonville won at home over the rancid Houston Texans to clinch a playoff spot for the first time since 2007. Meanwhile, the Chiefs only need to beat either the Miami Dolphins or Denver Broncos to win the AFC West for the second straight year, following their 30-13 win on Saturday over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Going into the late games on Sunday, this is how the picture looks in the AFC:
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-2)
2. New England Patriots (10-3)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4)
4. Kansas City Chiefs (8-6)
5. Tennessee Titans (8-5)
6. Buffalo Bills (8-6)
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7. Baltimore Ravens (8-6)
8. Los Angeles Chargers (7-7)
9. Oakland Raiders (6-7)
10. Miami Dolphins (6-8)
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Pittsburgh has already clinched the AFC North. A win over New England does secure a first-round bye. New England wins the AFC East with a win over Pittsburgh.
Nobody else can clinch a spot in the AFC outside of the aforementioned trio, but there are some teams that can be booted out of the race. A loss by the Dolphins has all but eliminated them. The Raiders face a similar fate against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night.
Also, if the Bills, Titans and Ravens all finish with the same record, the Ravens would be the odd team out. Just food for thought as we continue moving toward January.