FAVORITE TEAMS

With the 17-game/7-team playoff existing for a few seasons now, it proved that any team could qualify and nothing’s claimed until probably the last two weeks of the regular season. Even the under .500 teams could still find their way in.

The AFC is far from being decided. The 15th place Tennessee Titans still have playoff hopes while the current overall seed Ravens could easily drop out of playoff contention. Nothing’s given in the AFC this season, everyone (except the Patriots) will fight for the seven spots at all costs (no pun intended for injured quarterbacks), and the conference will likely have a photo finish in Week 18.

Baltimore stands out as potentially the best team in the AFC as long as Lamar Jackson stays healthy. Meanwhile, the rest of the Top 4 continues jockeying for position with some exposure and wear on health. The AFC South is up for grabs, and even Tennessee can’t be counted out just yet. The rest of the AFC North hasn’t been decided, but Pittsburgh’s currently in the worst spot of the four. For the ones on the outside looking in (like Buffalo and New York), they feel the urgency and will do everything to stay alive for the last three spots.

AFC PLAYOFF STANDINGS AFTER WEEK 14

1) BALTIMORE RAVENS (10-3)

They’re in prime position for the overall seed as Lamar Jackson looks to avoid the inevitable December injuries that plagued him the past two seasons. He must duck and weave past these last four opposing defenses though.

LAST FOUR: AT JAGUARS, AT 49ERS, DOLPHINS, STEELERS

2) MIAMI DOLPHINS (9-4)

Miami’s fighting for the overall seed. Unfortunately, injuries are slowly costing them an opportunity as physical opponents continue to test their endurance deep into the regular season.

LAST FOUR: JETS, COWBOYS, AT RAVENS, BILLS

3) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (8-5)

Chiefs lost four games in the last six weeks. Receivers are responsible for their struggles and Patrick Mahomes can take so much struggle before losing it. The overall seed opportunity’s slowly fading from Kansas City. Can the Chiefs survive their division???

LAST FOUR: AT PATRIOTS, RAIDERS, BENGALS, AT CHARGERS

4) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (8-5)

Jacksonville hopes to survive with Trevor Lawrence intact. They must bounce back and finish the season strong after losing three games in the last five weeks since coming out of the bye. If things going awry down the stretch, the city of Nashville will be waiting for them in anticipation after last year’s Week 18 matchup.

LAST FOUR: RAVENS, AT BUCCANEERS, PANTHERS, AT TITANS

5) CLEVELAND BROWNS (7-6)

Cleveland went through four quarterbacks, and yet they won seven games and hold a wild card spot. If they win out, then watch out. They’re no doubt a serious Super Bowl threat. However, they must clean up their road struggles.

LAST FOUR: BEARS, AT TEXANS, JETS, AT BENGALS

6) PITTSBURGH STEELERS (7-6)

Steelers lost three of the last four and the last two were against bottom feeders. With Kenny Pickett hurt and the offense playing their worst football, it’s hard to see them standing in a wild card spot. The locker room sounds divided and unmotivated. Not good vibes…

LAST FOUR: AT COLTS, BENGALS, AT SEAHAWKS, AT RAVENS

7) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (7-6)

After a 3-5 start, the Colts won four-straight before losing to the Bengals. They must make up ground or more losses cost them a playoff opportunity. Can Minshew Mania tour into the playoffs???

LAST FOUR: STEELERS, AT FALCONS, RAIDERS, TEXANS

TEAMS IN THE HUNT

HOUSTON TEXANS (7-6)

CJ Stroud suffered a concussion, and his top receivers are either hurt or out. Their last four doesn’t look promising for their playoff hopes.

LAST FOUR: AT TITANS, BROWNS, TITANS, AT COLTS

DENVER BRONCOS (7-6)

Denver won six games in the last seven weeks with huge wins over the Chiefs, Bills, and Browns to boost their playoff chances. Can they put up with Aidan Hutchinson next week along with the last three opponents with good defenses?

LAST FOUR: AT LIONS, PATRIOTS, CHARGERS, AT RAIDERS

CINCINNATI BENGALS (7-6)

Believe it or not, the Bengals are 2-0 in December right now. Most importantly, the Bengals still have J.B., and his name is Jake Browning. With a solid offensive roster and a hopeful defense, Cincinnati could push for a wild card spot.

LAST FOUR: VIKINGS, AT STEELERS, AT CHIEFS, BROWNS

BUFFALO BILLS (7-6)

Despite the Madden curse, don’t count out the Bills. They will fight in the last four weeks to make the wild card spot at least. If Miami fails to gain ground for the division title, the Bills could be back in it.

LAST FOUR: COWBOYS, AT CHARGERS, PATRIOTS, AT DOLPHINS

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (5-8)

I hate to play the pessimistic card, but there’s little to no hope for the Chargers. One more loss likely ends their season. Justin Herbert’s getting season-ending surgery and their points dipped under 20 since Brandon Staley’s post-game comments taking over defensive playcalling duties. I hope he’s gone soon, please! #firebrandonstaley

LAST FOUR: AT RAIDERS, BILLS, AT BRONCOS, CHIEFS

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (5-8)

Vegas will be a hard out thanks to their defense, but they’re likely finished soon too. Their offense can’t keep the same motor as Maxximum Crosby to survive the last four weeks of their schedule. Build on that roster for next season, Vegas.

LAST FOUR: CHARGERS, AT CHIEFS, AT COLTS, BRONCOS

NEW YORK JETS (5-8)

It’s really hard to believe the Jets are done…but they likely are unless they pull off a major miracle somehow. With the last three road games in four weeks, it’s very, very unlikely they can. Maybe some Ayahuasca and a quick darkness retreat might create some hope. Maybe Aaron Rodgers ends up working extra hard to return and help finish the season strong. Or maybe Zach Wilson plays elite football at the perfect time down the stretch.

LAST FOUR: AT DOLPHINS, COMMANDERS, AT BROWNS, AT PATRIOTS

TENNESSEE TITANS (5-8)

The Titans’ hopes are very much alive and Will Levis gives them every bit of it. They’re at home for three in the last four weeks. However, they need a lot of help and must win their last three AFC South matchups while putting down Seattle in the middle of that stretch.

LAST FOUR: TEXANS, SEAHAWKS, AT TEXANS, JAGUARS