Here's how the playoff picture looks in the AFC after Week 14, including the remaining schedules for the top contenders:
1. Denver Broncos (11–2)
Remaining schedule: vs. Packers, vs. Jaguars, at Chiefs, vs. Chargers
The Broncos return to the top of the AFC after securing their 10th straight victory, giving them the edge over New England thanks to a stronger conference record. Denver not only sits in prime position for the No. 1 seed but also holds a comfortable cushion in the AFC West as it pushes for its first division title since 2015. With a challenging but manageable remaining slate, the Broncos have momentum and the inside track toward home-field advantage.
2. New England Patriots (11–2)
Remaining schedule: vs. Bills, at Ravens, at Jets, vs. Dolphins
Fresh off a Week 14 bye, the Patriots enter a massive AFC East showdown against the Bills at Gillette Stadium. While a loss wouldn’t knock them from the top of the division, a win would give New England a commanding position heading into a critical late-season stretch. With Denver keeping pace in the race for the No. 1 seed, every remaining game carries weight for a Patriots team that has battled its way to another strong December position.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (9–4)
Remaining schedule: vs. Jets, at Broncos, at Colts, vs. Titans
Jacksonville strengthened its grip on the AFC South with a fourth straight win, topping the Colts and creating valuable separation in the division. With Indianapolis now missing quarterback Daniel Jones for the season, the South has become a two-team fight between the Jaguars and Texans. Jacksonville's closing schedule features tough road matchups in Denver and Indianapolis, but the team has built crucial momentum at the right time.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (7–6)
Remaining schedule: vs. Dolphins, at Lions, at Browns, vs. Ravens
The Steelers jumped back into first place in the AFC North after beating the Ravens, but the division remains far from settled. Pittsburgh holds only a slim one-game lead with another matchup against Baltimore waiting in Week 18. Before that, the Steelers face a tricky run of games that includes a surging Dolphins team and road trips to Detroit and Cleveland, making their hold on the division anything but secure.
5. Los Angeles Chargers (9–4)
Remaining schedule: at Chiefs, at Cowboys, vs. Texans, at Broncos
The Chargers enter Week 15 in the fifth seed after grinding out a sloppy overtime win against the Eagles. The victory was essential—had they lost, Los Angeles would have fallen out of the playoff picture due to a head-to-head tiebreaker disadvantage with the Colts. Instead, they remain firmly in the race, though their remaining schedule is among the league’s most difficult, featuring back-to-back road games against Kansas City and Dallas.
6. Buffalo Bills (9–4)
Remaining schedule: at Patriots, at Browns, vs. Eagles, vs. Jets
Buffalo’s comeback win over Cincinnati may prove to be a season-shifting moment. Rallying from a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit, the Bills kept themselves within striking distance of the Patriots ahead of their crucial matchup in Foxborough. With a demanding stretch of games still ahead, Buffalo remains well-positioned for a wild card spot but still has hopes of pushing for the AFC East crown.
7. Houston Texans (8–5)
Remaining schedule: vs. Cardinals, vs. Raiders, at Chargers, vs. Colts
The Texans have engineered one of the most impressive turnarounds in the league. After starting 0–3, Houston has fought back into the playoff picture and currently holds the final wild-card spot. Their win over Kansas City showcased their growth, and sitting only a game behind Jacksonville in the AFC South, the Texans have a legitimate chance to climb even higher before the season concludes.
In the Hunt:
Indianapolis Colts (8–5)
The Colts remain mathematically alive, but losing Daniel Jones to a season-ending Achilles tear makes their playoff push significantly more difficult. With tiebreaker disadvantages and instability at quarterback, Indianapolis faces a steep uphill climb over the season’s final month.
Kansas City Chiefs (6–7)
The Chiefs’ loss to Houston knocked them under .500 again and further damaged their fading playoff hopes. Kansas City remains on the wrong side of important tiebreakers and has struggled to find consistency, leaving little room for error in the weeks ahead.
Baltimore Ravens (6–7)
Despite falling to Pittsburgh, the Ravens may still have the clearest path among the trailing teams. They are only one game behind the Steelers and have a head-to-head rematch in Week 18. If Baltimore can stabilize, the AFC North title remains within reach.
Miami Dolphins (6–7)
Miami has won four straight to stay alive in the postseason race, but their path remains narrow. The Dolphins hold unfavorable head-to-head tiebreakers against the Colts, Chargers and Ravens, meaning they likely need to win out and receive considerable help from around the conference.
