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Updated AFC Playoff Picture after Texans upset Titans

By Josh Hill

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 24: Malik Willis #7 of the Tennessee Titans is tackled by Maliek Collins #96 of the Houston Texans during the second half at Nissan Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 24: Malik Willis #7 of the Tennessee Titans is tackled by Maliek Collins #96 of the Houston Texans during the second half at Nissan Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 24: Tyler Huntley #2 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after scoring a two-point conversion during the second quarter of the game against the Atlanta Falcons at M&T Bank Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 24: Tyler Huntley #2 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after scoring a two-point conversion during the second quarter of the game against the Atlanta Falcons at M&T Bank Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

NFL Playoff Picture: Updated AFC Standings after Titans lose in Week 16

Beyond the Jaguars leaping into the AFC South driver’s seat, a few different things happened in that further give us a clearer picture of what the bracket will look like.

With a New England loss, the Baltimore Ravens clinched a playoff berth and are going to the postseason. The Patriots aren’t out of the playoff chase, but their chances are quickly slimming with the likes of the Jaguars hot on their heels and the Dolphins still two games ahead of them in the standings.

The Ravens are in, but they still have sights set on winning the AFC North. Baltimore and Cincinnati play each other in the final week of the NFL season, which could end up deciding who wins the division and who will drop down to the Wild Card.

Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills quietly clinched the AFC East with a win over Chicago. Despite the drama in the East all season, it’s the Bills who emerge on top and now the pressure is on the Dolphins to close out the season strong or risk losing a wild card spot — its only way into the playoffs.

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

  1. Buffalo Bills (12-3) – Clinched AFC East
  2. Kansas City Chiefs (12-3) – Clinched AFC West
  3. Cincinnati Bengals (11-4)
  4. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-8)
  5. Baltimore Ravens (10-5) – Clinched Playoff Berth
  6. Los Angeles Chargers (8-6)
  7. Miami Dolphins (8-6)

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) Jacksonville Jaguars vs. (5) Baltimore Ravens

NFL Playoff Picture: AFC Wild Card standings after Week 16

Here’s what the Wild Card standings look like after Week 16:

5th Seed: Baltimore Ravens (10-5)
6th Seed: Los Angeles Chargers (8-6)
7th Seed: Miami Dolphins (8-6)

On The Bubble
New England Patriots (7-7)
Tennessee Titans (7-8)
New York Jets (7-8)

Still In The Hunt
Las Vegas Raiders (6-8)
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-8)

Eliminated
Cleveland Browns (6-9)
Indianapolis Colts (4-9-1)
Denver Broncos (4-10)
Houston Texans (2-12-1)

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