Updated AFC playoff picture, Week 16: Steelers, Titans down to the wire
The Houston Texans took care of business against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, despite looking unconvincing, to lock up the AFC South. But can the Tennessee Titans ensure the division sends two teams to the postseason again?
Neither the Pittsburgh Steelers nor Tennessee Titans look like stalwarts in the AFC, but both teams will compete for the final AFC Wild Card spot in Week 17.
The Steelers went back to Mason Rudolph but still couldn’t beat the lowly New York Jets and their overworked former star running back, Le’Veon Bell. Meanwhile, the Titans fell to one of the best teams in the NFL in the New Orleans Saints, fighting valiantly in a 38-28 loss.
Although they lost to the rival New England Patriots and won’t shockingly win the AFC East, the Buffalo Bills are locked in as the No. 5 seed in the AFC. Next week, the Titans and Steelers will face their division’s leaders for the opportunity to make the playoffs.
If the season ended after Week 16, here’s how the AFC would be seeded.
- Baltimore Ravens
- New England Patriots
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Houston Texans
- Buffalo Bills
- Tennessee Titans
Since the Titans have a higher strength of victory than Pittsburgh, they are the favorites to be the No. 6 seed. The Oakland Raiders are still alive in the playoff race, but the clear favorites are Pittsburgh and Tennessee. And since they have the best quarterback of the bunch in Ryan Tannehill and the strength of victory advantage, this is the Titans’ race to lose.
While the Houston Texans won the AFC South and are in, they need more consistency from Deshaun Watson. They don’t look like a deep playoff team unless Watson can play at his best and carry them.
Next. The Cowboys will finally fire Jason Garrett. dark
The Ravens are absolutely the best team in the AFC right now and exacted revenge with an easy win over the hapless Cleveland Browns. However, it’s never easy to pick against the Patriots, and the Chiefs look as dangerous as Baltimore. Patrick Mahomes is back to his best, and the Chiefs defense has made massive strides throughout the regular season.