AFC Playoff Projections as of 1/4/22

AFC DIVISION WINNERS:

TENNESSEE 11-5: Remarkably this team has overcome the loss of Derrick Henry, and with a win at Houston this Sunday, will be the No.1 seed in the AFC. Are they better than the Chiefs? Maybe, maybe not, but they own the tiebreaker over them, because of their 27-3 win in Week 7.

KANSAS CITY 11-5: Definitely a bad loss for Kansas City against the Bengals on Sunday. It cost them the No.1 seed and a first round bye in the upcoming playoffs. But, I think most people would agree they are still the team to beat in the AFC.

CINCINNATI 10-6: The Bengals went from a possibility of missing the playoffs, to clinching a spot and winning the division. with their win over the Chiefs. If they win at Cleveland this week, they can do no worse than the No. 3 seed and could possibly grab the second spot if Kansas City loses. A loss against the Browns could drop them to 4th.

BUFFALO 10-6: The Bills were 7-6 just three weeks ago and scrambling to make the playoffs. Now, they have clinched a playoff spot, and with a win over the lowly Jets in Buffalo, will claim the division for the 2nd year in a row. They could still finish as high as 2nd, but both the Chiefs and Bengals would have to lose.

AFC WILD CARD CONTENDERS:

NEW ENGLAND 10-6: They stopped their two-game losing streak and clinched a spot in the playoffs with their win over the Jaguars. They can still claim the AFC East division title with a win at Miami and a Buffalo loss. They probably are looking at a first-round road game in the playoffs.

INDIANAPOLIS 9-7: The loss at home against the Raiders kept them from clinching a spot in the playoffs. They will still get in with a win against the woeful Jaguars in Jacksonville or a Ravens loss. Their chances look very favorable and if they win the Steelers and Ravens are eliminated.

LA CHARGERS 9-7: The Chargers bounced back and handled Denver and are in the playoffs if they beat Raiders in Las Vegas on Sunday night. Will they finally be able to win a game they have to win?

LAS VEGAS 9-7: Huge win for the Raiders against the Colts on Sunday keeps their playoff hopes alive. It also sets up a Sunday night matchup with division foe, Los Angeles. If the Raiders win they are in, if they lose they could still get in with a Steelers loss plus a loss by the Colts.

PITTSBURGH 8-7-1: They still have a shot after their Monday night win over Cleveland. They have to beat the Ravens in Baltimore and hope Indianapolis loses at Jacksonville. Stranger things have happened.

BALTIMORE 8-8: Even after losing five straight games, they still have a very slight chance to get in. They have to beat Pittsburgh at home, and hope the Colts, Chargers, Browns, and Dolphins all lose.