The AFC Playoff Picture is a mess, but it’s also a fun mess. Week 8 is now in the books, and with the second half of the season starting soon, the playoff races will heat up as the weather cools down.
Only time will tell how the seeding shakes out, but you can make an argument that about five different teams are capable of getting the top seed in the conference, and in the expanded playoff format, only the top seed gets a first round bye.
Let’s dive into the current AFC playoff picture as Week 9 approaches.
The updated AFC Playoff Picture proves that a number of teams can make a run
Wild Card Teams
7. New England Patriots (5-3)
The New England Patriots are still alive in the AFC East, but they have work to do. Having gone 14-3 in the regular season last year, it’s clear that the Patriots are in a bit of a regression, but this team is capable of making the playoffs and is a more complete team than Buffalo.
6. Cincinnati Bengals (5-2)
The Cincinnati Bengals may have the best quarterback in football right now, because Joe Burrow is playing with his mind. The defense still seems hit or miss, but Cincy is trending toward a return to the playoffs for the first time since 2022, and it may only be a matter of time before they get past Pittsburgh, a low ceiling team.
5. Kansas City Chiefs (5-2)
The Kansas City Chiefs blew an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter on the Denver Broncos, and now, with a tougher remaining schedule, the Chiefs are unlikely to control their own destiny in the division and they have some serious personnel concerns at wide receiver and along the defensive front.
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