As the Pittsburgh Steelers focus on Baltimore on Saturday night, the Kansas City Chiefs turn their attention to Buffalo’s home game against New England on Sunday.
By virtue of their 27-19 home victory against Houston on Saturday afternoon, the Chiefs (14-1) ensured the Steelers won’t have a bye week in the postseason. The Chiefs and Buffalo Bills (11-3) can both finish first in the AFC to clinch the lone bye, but Saturday’s Kansas City win means the Steelers can’t catch them.
If the New England Patriots beat or tie the Bills on Sunday, Kansas City will clinch the AFC’s No. 1 playoff seed.
Other than the Steelers and Chiefs, two other AFC teams have already punched their ticket to the postseason — Buffalo (11-3) and the Texans (9-6).
The Steelers and Ravens both have a chance to position themselves. With a win over Baltimore — it would be their fifth in a row in the rivalry series — the Steelers would call themselves AFC North champions. To clinch a playoff berth, the Ravens have to beat or tie the Steelers, then see a Miami loss/tie and an Indianapolis loss/tie on Sunday.
Elsewhere in the conference, the Los Angeles Chargers (9-6) downed the Denver Broncos 34-27 on Thursday night. To be able to make playoff plans, the Bolts need a Miami loss or tie and an Indianapolis loss or tie. As of right now, it appears that Los Angeles and Denver will occupy the No. 6 and No.7 spots in the bracket, respectively.
Three 6-8 teams remain on the bubble, though — the Colts, Dolphins, and Cincinnati. Out of that trio, the Bengals have the best chance of somehow sneaking in 8%, according to NFL.com.
Seeking their sixth consecutive win, the Chiefs will visit the Steelers on Christmas Day. If Kansas City has already locked up the top seed by then, it’s fair to wonder who will be on the field.
STEELERS IN AFC PLAYOFF PICTURE
The Steelers clinch the AFC North with a win, and will remain in first place and in control of their own destiny with a win. The Ravens clinch a playoff spot with a win, or with losses by the Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins. They cannot be eliminated, even with a loss.
1. Kansas City Chiefs 14-1
2. Buffalo Bills 11-3
3. Pittsburgh Steelers 10-4
4. Houston Texans 9-6
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5. Baltimore Ravens 9-5
6. Los Angeles Chargers 9-6
7. Denver Broncos 9-6
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8. Indianapolis Colts 6-8
9. Miami Dolphins 6-8
10. Cincinnati Bengals 6-8
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11. New York Jets 4-10
12. Cleveland Browns 3-11
13. Jacksonville Jaguars 3-11
14. Tennessee Titans 3-11
15. New England Patriots 3-11
16. Las Vegas Raiders 2-12