As the NFL moves into week 16, the AFC still has an astounding 13 teams left in the playoff picture. Some teams, such as the Titans and Chiefs, have an opportunity to clinch their division this weekend. Meanwhile, teams like the Raiders, Broncos, and Browns are clinging to playoff life. To help organize the chaos, this article will put the playoff hopefuls into one of three tiers: In the driver’s seat, fighting for the division, and in the wild card hunt.

In the Driver’s Seat

Kansas City Chiefs: 10-4

After a concerning start, the Chiefs have won 7 games in a row. They now find themselves with a 2 game lead in the AFC West. This means the Chiefs can clinch the division with a win over the Steelers this weekend and a Charger loss. No matter what, it would take an epic collapse for Kansas City to miss the playoffs, and they have a legitimate chance at the number 1 overall seed in the AFC.

Tennessee Titans: 9-5

Despite losing 3 of their last 4, the Titans still have a 1 game lead in the AFC South. Since Tennessee beat the second-place Colts twice, they own the tiebreaker as well. With all that factored in, the Titans simply need to win 2 of their last three games or have the Colts lose 2 of their last 3. While the Titans can not relax, they still control their own destiny.

Fighting for the Division

New England Patriots: 9-5 and Buffalo Bills: 8-6

There is perhaps no bigger game of week 16 than the Patriots vs the Bills. The winner takes first place in the AFC East with just two games left. Meanwhile, the loser will be left fighting for a Wild Card spot. With both teams having fairly easy schedules down the stretch, this game could very well decide the fate of the division.

Cincinnati Bengals: 8-6 and Baltimore Ravens: 8-6

The Bengals and Ravens will also square off with first place on the line. The Bengals can secure a stranglehold on the AFC North with a win, while the Ravens need a win to keep their division hopes alive. Both teams will still be alive no matter the outcome, but the winner will have a significantly easier path to the playoffs. This is undoubtedly a key match-up of week 16.

In the Wild Card Hunt

Indianapolis Colts: 8-6 and las Angeles Chargers: 8-6

The Colts and Chargers currently sit in the first and second wild card spots respectively. While their chances at a division title are all but gone, both teams have firm control over their playoff hopes. Neither team has a particularly difficult schedule left, and they can both pretty much lock in a playoff birth with 2 more wins down the stretch.

Pittsburgh Steelers: 7-6-1 and Las Vegas Raiders: 7-7

The Steelers have done just enough to keep them in the playoff race. However, they do not face a single team under .500 the rest of the way and have almost no room for error. Meanwhile, the Raiders kept their hopes alive with a last-second win over the Browns. Remarkably, the Raiders currently hold the tiebreaker over 5 wild card contenders, which gives them a slight chance to snag a playoff spot with a strong finish.

Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos: 7-7

While all 3 of the teams are mathematically still alive going into week 16, they need a ton of help to get into the playoffs. It is likely all 3 teams need to win out, or at the very least win 2 of their last 3 games. Even then, they would probably need some help along the way. However, in what has been a crazy NFL season, anything can still happen.

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