Only one week remains in the NFL regular season. Week 18 serves as the final opportunity for the teams to earn their way into the NFL Playoffs. After last week, five AFC teams have clinched their spot in the playoffs thus far with three of them already winning their division. There was also a change at the very top of the conference, with the Tennessee Titans now in a position to lock down a rather improbable first-round bye. There may only be one week of games left, but a lot is still left to be decided in the NFL playoff picture. One AFC division title is still up for grabs along with the final two Wild Card spots in Week 18.
The following provides an updated look at the NFL playoff picture in the AFC ahead of Week 18 action. Also included are percentage chances for each team to make it in and/or improve their seeding.
NFL Playoff Picture | AFC
NFL Playoff percentages provided by ESPN
#1 Tennesee Titans (11-5) 1st in AFC South
- Clinched AFC South
- 78% chance to earn the one seed
- Lowest possible seed: 2
- Week 18: @ HOU
#2 Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) 1st in AFC West
- Clinched AFC West
- 17% chance to earn the one seed
- Lowest Possible seed: 4
- Week 18: @ DEN
#3 Cincinnati Bengals (10-6) 1st in AFC North
- Clinched AFC North
- 4% Chance to earn the one seed
- Lowest possible seed: 4
- Week 18: @ CLE
#4 Buffalo Bills (10-6) 1st AFC East
- Clinched Playoff Berth
- 95% chance to win division
- Highest possible seed: 2
- Lowest possible seed: 7
- Week 18: vs NYJ
#5 New England Patriots (10-6) 2nd in AFC East
- Clinched Playoff Berth
- 5% chance to win division
- 1% chance to earn the one seed
- Lowest possible seed: 6
#6 Indianapolis Colts (9-7) 2nd AFC South
- 81% chance to make the playoffs
- Highest possible seed: 5
- Lowest possible seed: 7
- Week 18: @ JAX
#7 Los Angeles Chargers (9-7) 2nd in AFC West
- 58% chance to make the playoffs
- Can be seeded at 6 or 7
- Week 18: @ LV
Out of the NFL Playoffs if they Started Today
Las Vegas Raiders (9-7) 3rd in AFC West
- 49% chance to make the playoffs
- Can be seeded at 6 or 7
- Week 18: vs LAC
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7-1) 2nd in AFC North
- 8% chance to make the playoffs
- Can only be seeded 7
- Week 18: @ BAL
Baltimore Ravens (8-8) 3rd in AFC North
- 4% chance to make the playoffs
- Can only be seeded 7
- Week 18: vs PIT
Eliminated from AFC Playoffs Contention
Miami Dolphins
Cleveland Browns
Denver Broncos
New York Jets
Houston Texans
Jacksonville Jaguars
