Playoff Preview: A Look At The AFC Playoff Race

Taking a look into the current playoff races and the scenarios that can unfold in the last 3 weeks of the season. I will give you where it stands currently and how I think it shakes out in the end. With that being said lets move on to the AFC first. I will go in reverse order so we are going to start with the 10th prosepctive team and work our way down.

10. Kansas City Chiefs: At 5-8 They would need to win out and hope the teams above them have massive failures in the last few weeks of the season. It looks failry bleak for this Cheifs team and I would place this team with next to no chance to make the playoffs. The Chiefs have been middle of the pack on defense, however their offense has been in the bottom half of the leauge. Mahomes and company will need to turn up the intesity if they are going to make this long shot happen.

9. Cleveland Browns: After a big win earlier this year against the Steelers the Browns have been in relative free fall ever since. The offense just hasn't been there ranking in the bottom of the leauge in every category. On Defense the have had a top 10 unit all year, but if you cannot score points even the best defenses can only do so much. With the Patriots, Bengals, and Rams left there is a chance they can finish 9-7/8-8 and sneak into that final wildcard spot.

8. Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens have a chance sitting at 7-6 to be that 7 seed. Bengals and Raiders the next two weeks are must win games because they play the Steelers week 17 although they may be getting backups with the number 1 seed likely secured by the Steelers more on that later... From the Ravens Prespective 3 wins gets them in and no one else can say that in terms of the teams fighting for the 7th seed. If the Ravens can stay off the weed long enough to get these last couple of games won they could be a surprise playoff entry and a tough out for anyone.

7. Denver Broncos: A team that is not used to being this far down is the Broncos. Under coach Astin they were always a playoff team. New Coach Weatherby however has his work cut out for him to finish this regular season. They play the Vikings who have started playing better as of late and the Chargers who will surely be looking to lock down a playoff spot of thier own. Any losses and the Ravens could easily jump the Broncos. The Broncos are in danger of falling out regardless if the Ravens win their last 3 games. Broncos fans will surely be hoping to see the 1st stringers in Pittsburgh.

6. Miami Dolphins: This team will proably finish in this spot but do not take them lightly based on that, I could easily see this team representing the AFC in the big game. Miami has one of the best passing attacks in the league and that has them top 2 in scoring. Add in a top 6 scoring defense to go along with the rest of it and I feel like the Dolphins are as dangerous as any team on the AFC side when it comes down to it. I watched them play the Steelers and costly fumble really was the difference between victory and defeat.

5. Tennesse Titans: The Titans took the year off from the playoffs the previous season but they are back again and I expect them to stick right here at 5. The Texans will win the South but this team has a great combination of ground and pound to go along with a stifling run defense of its own. The Titans will find themselves likely playing the winner of the West in an entertaining game that should be an absolute chess match between two good coaches looking to finally get over the hump.

4. Los Angeles Chargers: The Aforementioned Chargers are in the drivers seat for the West and looks like they are going to slot in here at the 4 seed. The Broncos in week 17, however don't sleep on their week 16 oppoenent Detroit they are in a fight for a playoff spot of their own. The Chargers need to keep winning to be in this spot but I expect them to finish with 11 wins and play the Titans in the Wild Card round as I predicted at 5.

3. New York Jets: The Jets have been in and out this season with Coach Moji having a lot going on. However I am extremely excited for the potential NYJ MIA 3 even if both of these guys wants to throw up in their mouths because I said that. I don't trust Carson Wentz in this situation and despite being an excellent rushing team this season and playing some top 10 defense I can see the Jets losing here if Wentz does not show up. They still have the Bills, Patriots, and Titans in week 17 with that being said I leave them at 3 and we get MIA NYJ 3.

2. Houston Texans: The Texans are going to win the South that much I am sure of. They have the Jags and Bucs left on their schedule at this point. Houston has run the ball well and played excellent defense in what I have seen of them. Any of those potential 7 seeds I highlighted earlier will have a tough time overcoming the suffocating middle of the defense led by the super valuable LVE. Houston and Coach Metal have not won big games in the playoffs in a long time but slotted here at 2 I could see them with a potential matchup with the number 1 team on this list.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers are going to win the conference and should clinch it this week or next if they have not already done so. This team grinds out their games and tends to win most of them in that fashion. You cannot make mistakes against Minkah and crew in the secondary or they will eat you alive. I see them going to the title game and possibly back to the big game. Can King John right the mistakes of past superbowl losses or will Pittsburgh continue to bridesmaid but never a bride herself?

Thank you for reading... NFC is coming later!