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AFC Playoff Picture shifts after Raiders stun Patriots in Week 15

By Josh Hill

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 18: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots looks on after losing to the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 18: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots looks on after losing to the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 18: Joe Mixon #28 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs the ball during the fourth quarter in the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 18: Joe Mixon #28 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs the ball during the fourth quarter in the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

Updated AFC Playoff Picture after Bengals, Chargers win

The chaos went far beyond what we saw at the end of the Raiders-Patriots game. Three other playoff teams were in action during the late window and each result shifts things in the AFC Playoff Picture.

Cincinnati erased a 17-0 deficit to score 34 unanswered points and beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which propelled the Bengals to the No. 3 seed. Baltimore’s loss on Saturday vacated the pole position in the AFC North, which Cincy now occupies, and the No. 3 seed is almost uncontested thanks tp the Titans losing — again.

That loss by the Titans does more than just help the Bengals and put Tennesse in danger. Coupled with the Patriots’ collapse, the Chargers not only move back into the playoff picture but leap all the way up to the No. 6 seed.

Circling back to the Titans, Tennesee is now in danger of losing the lead in the AFC South. Jacksonville stunned the Dallas Cowboys earlier in the day which means the Jaguars are just a game behind not only a playoff spot but leading the division.

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 (7-7)
  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) Miami Dolphins
  • (3) Cincinnati Bengals vs. (6) Los Angeles Chargers
  • (4) Tennessee Titans vs. (5) Baltimore Ravens

AFC Wild Card standings after Raiders stun Patriots in Week 15

Here’s what the Wild Card standings look like after Week 15:

5th Seed: Baltimore Ravens (9-5)
6th Seed: Los Angeles Chargers (8-6)
7th Seed: Miami Dolphins (8-6)

On The Bubble
New England Patriots (7-7)
New York Jets (7-7)

Still In The Hunt
Jacksonville Jaguars (6-8)
Las Vegas Raiders (6-8)
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)

Next. NFC Playoff Picture after Week 7. dark

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