While the NFC playoff picture is not so clear-cut, five of the six AFC playoff spots have been clinched in the NFL this week. But even with most of the AFC playoff picture determined, there are a few AFC playoff scenarios that need to be decided in week 17.

Before we look at those playoff scenarios, let’s recap the AFC action in week 16. The Patriots walloped the Bills 34-3, clinching home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Steelers clinched a playoff spot on Thursday with a 27-3 win over the Panthers. The Ravens beat the Browns 20-10, also clinching a playoff spot. The Steelers and Ravens are both fighting for the same playoff scenario - the AFC North championship and a first-round bye in the playoffs. If both remain tied next week, Pittsburgh wins with the tiebreaker. The Jets lost to the Bears 38-34 but clinched an AFC wildcard spot with a Jaguar loss.  The Chiefs clinched the AFC West with a 34-14 win over Broncos.

Going into this week, the Colts and Jaguars were both in the AFC playoff picture, tied for the AFC South division lead. But a Colts win and Jaguars loss gives the Colts the playoff edge. The Colts beat the Raiders 31-26, eliminating  them the AFC playoff picture while the Jaguars lost to the Redskins in OT 20-17.  A Colts win or Jaguars loss next week gives the Colts the AFC South championship. The Chargers 34-20 loss to the Bengals eliminates them from playoff contention.

Here is what the NFL playoff picture looks like in the AFC going into the last week of the NFL regular season:

• New England Patriots (13-2) have clinched the AFC East and home field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.
• Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4) have clinched a playoff spot and can clinch the AFC North championship and a first-round bye with a win against the Browns next week in Cleveland.
• Kansas City Chiefs (10-5) have clinched the AFC West.
• Indianapolis Colts (9-6) holds the edge for grabbing the last AFC playoff spot. A Colts win or Jacksonville Jaguars (8-7) loss next week gets them in the playoffs as the AFC South champions.
• Baltimore Ravens (11-4) have clinched a playoff spot and, at best, could end up with a first-round bye and the AFC North championship with a win and Steelers loss next week.
• New York Jets (10-5) have clinched an AFC wildcard spot.

So, who plays who in the first week of the AFC playoffs?
Well, assuming the Steelers beat the Browns next week and win the AFC North championship, the AFC playoff scenario would look like this…

• New England Patriots (AFC Playoff Seed 1) and Pittsburgh Steelers (AFC Playoff Seed 2) earn byes.
• New York Jets (AFC Playoff Seed 6) would play at Kansas City Chiefs (AFC Playoff Seed 3).
• Baltimore Ravens (AFC Playoff Seed 5) would play at Indianapolis Colts (AFC Playoff Seed 4).

What happens if the Steelers lose and the Jets and Ravens win next week?
In this AFC playoff scenario, the Steelers get a wildcard berth and get the 6th seed. The Jets, who hold the tiebreaker against the Steelers, would move up to the 5th seed. The Ravens would get the 2nd seed as the AFC North champion and receive a first round bye.

What is the playoff scenario if the Colts lose and the Jaguars win?
The Jaguars get the 4th seed and the Colts are eliminated.

The NFL playoff picture will be realized next week and all but one AFC playoff scenario will remain.

Sources: nfl.com, cbs.com, espn,com

The Atlanta Falcons made believers out of many with a 28-24 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers down in Florida in NFL Week 13 football action. Atlanta’s impressive win gives them the #1 seed in the NFC playoff race.

Right behind the Falcons are the Chicago Bears (9-3), Philadelphia Eagles and (8-4) and the St. Louis Rams (6-6). The New Orleans Saints (9-3) and the New York Giants (8-4) follow with the best chance at the 2 NFC wildcard spots. Other NFC teams with a good chance at the NFC wildcard are the Green Bay Packers (8-4) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5).

The NFL playoff race continues in week 14 with the Colts taking on the Titans on Thursday, Dec 9.

The complete NFC playoff picture as it stands heading into Week 14 of the NFL football season is as follows:

Check out the Week 14 AFC Playoff Race

sources: cbssports.com, foxsports.com, New York Daily News
http://thenflthisweek.com/2010-nfl-football-week-14-afc-playoff-race/

With the New England Patriots dismantling the New York Jets (45-3) on Monday night, the AFC Playoff race becomes a little clearer.

Holding first place in their respective divisions are the New England Patriots (10-2), Jacksonville Jaguars (7-5), Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3) and Kansas City Chiefs (8-4). The Baltimore Ravens (9-3) and the New York Jets (9-3) hold the advantage for the wildcard hunt.

The Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins are still alive with the identical record of 6-6. The Houston Texans, Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans statically are still alive with 5-7 records. Only 3 teams have been eliminated from the AFC playoff race in the 2010 NFL football season.

The AFC playoff race continues in week 14 with the Colts taking on the Titans on Thursday, Dec 9.

The AFC Playoff picture as it stands heading into Week 14 of the 2010 NFL football season:

Check out the Week 14 NFC Playoff Race

source: cbssports.com, foxsports.com, New York Daily News