AFC Playoff Spots

December 26, 2009

AFC Playoff Picture Possibilities

Its week 15 of the NFL season and the AFC playoff picture remains wide open. Twelve teams are still in contention for the six AFC playoff spots available.

The AFC playoff picture is lead by the undefeated Indianapolis Colts (14-0) who are vying for a perfect NFL season record. They are followed by the Chargers (11-3), Patriots (9-5), Bengals (9-5), Ravens (8-6) and Broncos (8-6). Six other AFC teams (Dolphins, Jets, Jaguars, Titans, Texans and Steelers) are still alive with 7-7 records but their fate is dependent on the outcome of other AFC teams.

Here is the AFC Playoff picture going into Week 15 of the NFL season:

Indianapolis Colts (14-0)

  • Clinched the AFC South and homefield advantage throughout the AFC playoffs

San Diego Chargers (11-3)

  • Clinched AFC West
  • Clinches a first round bye with:
      win or tie OR
      New England loss or tie

New England Patriots (9-5)

  • Clinches AFC East Division title with:
      win or tie OR
      Miami loss or tie

Cincinnati Bengals (9-5)

  • Clinches AFC North Division title with:
      win OR
      tie and Baltimore loss or tie OR
      Baltimore loss

  • Clinches a playoff spot with:
      tie OR
      Jacksonville loss or tie and Jets lose or tie and Houston-Miami tie

Baltimore Ravens (8-6)

  • Clinches a playoff spot with:
      win and Jacksonville loss or tie and Jets loss or tie OR
      win and Jacksonville loss or tie and Denver loss OR
      win and Miami loss or tie and Jets loss or tie and Denver loss OR
      tie and Jets loss and Jacksonville loss and Tennessee loss or tie and Houston-Miami tie

Denver Broncos (8-6)

  • Clinches a playoff spot with:
      win and Jacksonville loss or tie and Miami loss or tie and Jets loss or tie and Pittsburgh loss or tie

There are just too many AFC playoff picture possibilities for those teams with a 7-7 record. Week 15 of the NFL season will help unravel the complex AFC playoff picture.

sources: NY Daily News, nfl.com,espn.com

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