Patriots playoff picture: Steelers choke away top-two seed

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Another one bites the dust. 

The Pittsburgh Steelers choked away their chance at a first-round bye in the AFC Playoffs after blowing a 16-point halftime lead to the Chargers on Sunday night.

The loss moved them to 7-4-1 on the season, as they continue to show how undisciplined of a team they are by jumping offsides three times on the final play of regulation.

The current AFC Playoff picture as of 12/3:

1. Chiefs (10-2)

2. Patriots (9-3)

3. Texans (9-3)

4. Steelers (7-4-1)

5. Chargers (9-3)

6. Ravens (7-5)

Kansas City survived the now 2-10 Raiders 40-33 in their first game without running back Kareem Hunt, and the Texans and Chargers remain hot on the Patriots' heels at 9-3. 

The Patriots control their own destiny for the most part with their tiebreaker over the Chiefs, so here's a look at the remaining schedules for the top teams in the AFC. 

Patriots: @MIA, @PIT, BUF, NYJ

Chiefs: BAL, LAC, @SEA, OAK

Texans: IND, @NYJ, @PHI, JAX

Steelers: @OAK, NE, @NO, CIN

The Patriots could either put the Steelers to bed for good in this race after a trip to Miami or give them new life. If the Patriots win out, something they're very capable of, they'll need a Chiefs loss to secure home field throughout the playoffs.

Given the battle the Chiefs and Patriots had in the regular season, playing a potential AFC Championship in Foxboro could be a big difference. As far as holding on to the two seed, it seems like the Patriots have a firm hold on it. 

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