The Bengals have surged into first place in the AFC North, but the Titans’ lead in the AFC South is slipping away.
Those are two of the big takeaways of a busy Sunday in the AFC playoff race, which also saw the Chiefs clinch the AFC West.
Here’s how the AFC playoff picture looks heading into Week 16:
CURRENTLY IN
1. Bills (11-3) Own the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Chiefs.
2. Chiefs (11-3) Clinched the AFC West.
3. Bengals (10-4) One-game lead in the AFC North.
4. Titans (7-7) One-game lead in the AFC South.
5. Ravens (9-5) If they win out, they win the AFC North.
6. Chargers (8-6) Own the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Dolphins.
7. Dolphins (8-6) Still have a one-game lead for the final wild card spot.
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
8. Patriots (7-7) Own the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Jets.
9. Jets (7-7) Playoff hopes are fading fast.
10. Jaguars (6-8) If they win out, they win the AFC South.
11. Raiders (6-8) Sunday’s win over the Patriots was a fantastic finish, but likely too late to make a difference in the playoff race.
12. Browns (6-8) They’re not going to the playoffs, but they impacted the playoff race by beating the Ravens.
13. Steelers (6-8) Still trying to avoid Mike Tomlin’s first losing season.
NO CHANCE OF GETTING IN
14. Colts (4-9-1) Worst meltdown in NFL history ended their slim playoff hopes.
15. Broncos (4-10) Mathematically eliminated.
16. Texans (1-12-1) Mathematically eliminated.
