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- iHaveNet.com: NFL Football
AFC Playoff Picture Entering Week 17
Entering the final week of the regular season, four of the six AFC playoff participants have been determined and eight AFC clubs remain in contention for a trip to Super Bowl 50.
AFC DIVISIONS
Two of the four divisions have been determined: New England (AFC East) and Cincinnati (AFC North).
A breakdown of the AFC division races:
AFC EAST
The New England Patriots (12-3) have clinched the division and secured a first-round bye.
AFC WEST
The Denver Broncos (11-4) and Kansas City Chiefs (10-5) have both clinched a playoff berth. The Broncos can clinch the division title with a win or a Chiefs loss. Kansas City can clinch the division with a win and a Denver loss.
| Team | Overall | Division | Conference | Strength of Victory |
Strength of Schedule |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Source: NFL) | ||||||
| Denver | 11-4 | 3-2 | 7-4 | .509 | .520 | |
| Kansas City | 10-5 | 4-1 | 9-2 | .427 | .498 | |
AFC NORTH
The Cincinnati Bengals (11-4) have clinched the division.
AFC SOUTH
The Houston Texans (8-7) and Indianapolis Colts (7-8) are in contention for the division title. Houston can clinch the AFC South with a win or an Indianapolis loss or if they clinch the Strength of Victory of Strength of Schedule tiebreaker over the Colts.
If Houston and Indianapolis end up tied in Strength of Victory and tied in Strength of Schedule, the teams would then go to the next tiebreaker, which is best combined ranking among AFC teams in points scored and points allowed in all games.
| Team | Overall | Division | Conference | Strength of Victory |
Strength of Schedule |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Source: NFL) | ||||||
| Houston | 8-7 | 4-1 | 6-5 | .425 | .507 | |
| Indianapolis | 7-8 | 3-2 | 5-6 | .438 | .520 | |
AFC WILD CARDS
The Denver Broncos (11-4) and Kansas City Chiefs (10-5) have each secured a playoff berth. One of those teams will win the AFC West and the other will be a Wild Card entrant.
The New York Jets (10-5) can earn the other Wild Card spot with a win or a Pittsburgh loss. The Steelers (9-6) can qualify for the postseason with a win and a Jets loss.
A breakdown of the AFC Wild Card race:
| Team | Overall | Conference | Strength of Victory |
Strength of Schedule |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Source: NFL) *In contention for AFC West Division title | |||||
| Denver* | 11-4 | 7-4 | .509 | .520 | |
| Kansas City* | 10-5 | 9-2 | .427 | .498 | |
| New York Jets | 10-5 | 7-4 | .387 | .436 | |
| Pittsburgh | 9-6 | 6-5 | .496 | .529 | |
AFC HOME-FIELD ADVANTAGE AND FIRST-ROUND BYE
The New England Patriots (12-3) have secured a first-round bye. The Denver Broncos (11-4) remain in contention for home-field advantage and a first-round bye, while the Cincinnati Bengals (11-4) could still secure a first-round bye.
New England is in control for home-field advantage and can clinch the AFC's No. 1 seed with a win or Denver loss.
Denver is in control for a first-round bye and can clinch at least the No. 2 seed with a win or losses by Cincinnati and Kansas City. Cincinnati can clinch a first-round bye with a win and a Denver loss or a loss by Denver combined with a Kansas City win.
| Team | Overall | Conference | Strength of Victory |
Strength of Schedule |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Source: NFL) *In contention for AFC West Division title | |||||
| New England | 12-3 | 9-2 | .439 | .471 | |
| Denver | 11-4 | 7-4 | .509 | .520 | |
| Cincinnati | 11-4 | 8-3 | .412 | .484 | |
AFC PLAYOFF FIELD
Here is a look at the possible seeds for each of the eight AFC teams who have either clinched a playoff berth or remain in contention:
NEW ENGLAND (12-3)
Clinched AFC East and first-round bye. In control for No. 1 seed. Can be either the No. 1 or 2 seed.
DENVER (11-4)
In control of AFC West and No. 2 seed. Can be the No. 1, 2, 3, 5 or 6 seed.
CINCINNATI (11-4)
Clinched AFC North. Can be either the No. 2 or 3 seed.
HOUSTON (8-7)
In control of AFC South and No. 4 seed. If Texans qualify, can only be the No. 4 seed.
INDIANAPOLIS (7-8)
In contention for AFC South title. If Colts qualify, can only be the No. 4 seed.
KANSAS CITY (10-5)
Clinched playoff berth. Can be the No. 3, 5 or 6 seed.
NEW YORK JETS (10-5)
In control of playoff berth. If Jets qualify, can be either the No. 5 or 6 seed.
PITTSBURGH (9-6)
In contention for playoff berth. If Steelers qualify, can only be the No. 6 seed.
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