AFC Playoff Picture: Steelers, Patriots inch closer to December showdown

The Chargers and Titans are coming on strong down the stretch, while the Chiefs and Bills are sliding. But it appears more and more the Dec. 17 game between the Patriots and Steelers in Pittsburgh will ultimately determine who secures home field for the AFC playoffs.



1. Steelers (10-2)
Remaining schedule: vs. Ravens (7-5), vs. Patriots (10-2), at Texans (4-8), vs. Browns (0-12).
Opponents record: 21-27 (.438)
The skinny: Pittsburgh just barely survives to beat the Bengals and hold on to the top spot. Five of their 10 wins are by one score or less.

2. Patriots (10-2)
Remaining schedule: at Dolphins (5-7), at Steelers (10-2), vs. Bills (6-6), vs. Jets (5-7).
Opponents record: 26-22 (.542)
The skinny: Going for 15 straight wins on the road this week in Miami.

3. Titans (8-4)
Remaining schedule: at Cardinals (5-7), at Niners (2-10), vs. Rams (9-3), vs. Jaguars (8-4).
Opponents record: 24-24 (.500)
The skinny: Tennessee has won six of its last seven.

4. Chiefs (6-6)
Remaining schedule: vs. Raiders (6-6), vs. Chargers (6-6), vs. Dolphins (5-7), at Broncos (3-9).
Opponents record: 20-28 (.417)
The skinny: That loss to the Jets was ugly. It’s conceivable Kansas City could struggle to hit .500 by the end of the season.

5. Jaguars (8-4)
Remaining schedule: vs. Seahawks (8-4), vs. Texans (4-8), at Niners (2-10), at Titans (8-4).
Opponents record: 22-26 (.458)
The skinny: Jacksonville could get to 10 wins in the regular season for the first time since 2007.

6. Ravens (7-5)
Remaining schedule: at Steelers (10-2), at Browns (0-12), vs. Colts (3-9), vs. Bengals (5-7)
Opponents record: 18-32 (.375)
The skinny: The Ravens arc this year is nothing short of absurd. Like the Chargers, a slow start (3-4) looks like it’ll give way to an impressive finish. Patriots’ fans will find themselves in the unique position of rooting for the Ravens this coming weekend against Pittsburgh.

In the hunt
7. Chargers (6-6)
Remaining schedule: vs. Redskins (5-7), at Chiefs (6-6), at Jets (5-7), vs. Raiders (6-6)
Opponents record: 22-26 (.458)
The skinny: Los Angeles started 0-4 and 3-6, but the Chargers could easily end up winning 10 games.

8. Bills (6-6)
Remaining schedule: vs. Colts (3-9), vs. Dolphins (5-7), at Patriots (10-2), at Dolphins (5-7).
Opponents record: 23-25 (.479)
The skinny: There’s still a path to a 10-win season and that sixth playoff spot. It’s not an easy one, but it’s there.

Rest of the field: 9. Raiders (6-6), 10. Jets (5-7), 11. Dolphins (5-7), 12. Bengals (5-7), 13. Texans (4-8), 14. Colts (3-9), 15. Broncos (3-9).