The AFC Playoff Picture is a mess, but it's a fun mess as well. Week 8 is now in the books, and with the second half of the season beginning soon, the playoff races are going to get hotter as the weather gets colder.
Only time will tell how the seeding shakes out, but you could make the argument that about five different teams are capable of earning the top seed in the conference, and in the expanded playoff format, it's only that top seed that gets the first-round bye.
Let's dive into the current playoff picture in the AFC with Week 9 approaching.
Updated AFC Playoff Picture proves that a number of teams can make a run
Wild Card Teams
7. New England Patriots (5-3)
The New England Patriots are still alive in the AFC East, but they have some work to do. Having gone 14-3 in the regular season last year, it's clear that the Patriots are in a bit of a regression, but this team is still capable of making the playoffs and are a more complete team than Buffalo.
6. Cincinnati Bengals (5-2)
The Cincinnati Bengals might have the best quarterback in football right now, as Joe Burrow is playing out of his mind. The defense seems to still be hit or miss, but Cincy is trending toward getting back to the playoffs for the first time since 2022, and it might only be a matter of time before they pass Pittsburgh, a low ceiling team.
5. Kansas City Chiefs (5-2)
The Kansas City Chiefs blew an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter to the Denver Broncos, and now, with a tougher remaining schedule, the Chiefs probably don't control their own destiny in the division and do have some serious personnel concerns at wide receiver and along the defensive front.
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