Updated NFL Playoff Picture after Chiefs clinch AFC West title

Updated AFC Playoff Picture after Chiefs clinch AFC West, Jets lose

The Chiefs weren’t the only team thrust into chaos on Sunday. In New Jersey, the New York Jets got into a brawl with the Detroit Lions which came down to a final missed field goal by Greg Zeurlein.

That loss is more than just another impressive win for the Lions, it has pretty significant impact on the AFC Wild Card standings. New England was the biggest winner from the result, further solidifying its place in the No. 7 seed and creating some separation in the AFC East.

New England now controls its destiny, and can be further aided by a Chargers loss later on Sunday afternoon. As it stands now, the Patriots would meet the Chiefs in the Wild Card, and based on how insane games have been down the stretch who knows what could happen.

Here’s what the AFC playoff bracket would look like if the playoffs started today:

1. Buffalo Bills (11-3) – Clinched Playoff Berth
2. Kansas City Chiefs (11-3) – Clinched AFC West
3. Cincinnati Bengals (9-4)
4. Tennessee Titans (7-6)
5. Baltimore Ravens (9-5)
6. Miami Dolphins (8-6)
7. New England Patriots (7-6)

Based on those standings, here’s what the playoff matchups would look like for the first weekend of action:

• (2) Kansas City Chiefs vs. (7) New England Patriots
• (3) Cincinnati Bengals vs. (6) Miami Dophins
• (4) Tennessee Titans vs. (5) Baltimore Ravens

AFC Wild Card standings after Jaguars, Steelers win in Week 15

Don’t sleep on teams currently sitting on the bubble. The Jaguars pulled off an overtime stunner to put the Cowboys down, and both the Steelers and Browns won in Week 15 as well. There’s a wider gap between the Wild Card and teams on the bubble in the NFC, but things are not all sewed up in the AFC.

It’s still a long shot, but the Jaguars remain very much alive not only for the Wild Card but for the AFC South title. After what we saw the Minnesota Vikings do on Saturday and Argentina do in the World Cup on Sunday, never count a team out until it’s an absolute certainty.

Here’s what the Wild Card standings look like after Week 14:

5th Seed: Baltimore Ravens (9-5)
6th Seed: Miami Dolphins (8-6)
7th Seed: New England Patriots (7-6)

On The Bubble
Los Angeles Chargers (7-6)
New York Jets (7-7)

Still In The Hunt
Jacksonville Jaguars (6-8)
Las Vegas Raiders (5-8)
Cleveland Browns (6-8)
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-8)

On Life Support
Indianapolis Colts (4-9-1)

Eliminated
Denver Broncos (3-10)
Houston Texans (1-12-1)