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

The AFC Championship game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens is will be a low scoring affair with the Pittsburgh Steelers ending up on top.  Here are the 3 reasons why:

1. The Steelers number one ranked defense will dominate and keep the Ravens from scoring even one touchdown. 
2. Experienced QB versus the rookie. The Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger has the experience. He has won before in an AFC Championship Game and he has a Superbowl ring.  The Ravens Joe Flacco will be overwelmed by the tenacious “D” of the Steelers
3. Steelers are at Home.

GAME INFO

Date: Sunday, January 18, 2009
Time: 6:30 PM EST
Location: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pa.
TV: CBS
Announcers: Jim Nantz and Phil Simms

THE SPREAD
The Pittsburgh Steelers are favored by 6 points.  The Over/Under is 34 points
GAME TRENDS
Top Trends
PITTSBURGH is 77-48 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points since 1992.
PITTSBURGH is 38-18 ATS as a home favorite of 3.5 to 7 points since 1992.
PITTSBURGH is 38-22 ATS in all games where the total is 35 or less since 1992.
BALTIMORE is 14-4 ATS in all games this season.
BALTIMORE is 14-4 ATS in all lined games this season.
BALTIMORE is 8-2 ATS in road games this season.
BALTIMORE is 8-2 ATS in road lined games this season.
BALTIMORE is 11-3 ATS against conference opponents this season.
BALTIMORE is 12-3 ATS in games played on a grass field this season.
 
 
Head-to-Head Series History
BALTIMORE is 4-2 against the spread versus PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons 
PITTSBURGH is 3-3 straight up against BALTIMORE over the last 3 seasons 
4 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons 
 

GAME PREDICTION
Pittsburgh Steelers 17  Baltimore Ravens 3

The Ravens offensive line will not be able to provide QB Joe Flacco enough time to throw or be able to help their running game.  Big Ben Roethlisberger will do enough to get the Steelers in the endzone and win in a low scoring contest.

sources: nfl.com, espn.com, thespread.com, fox.com