AFC Playoff Picture: Seedings coming into sharper focus as big games loom

We all know that the race for home field in the AFC is going to come down to Sunday’s game in Pittsburgh between the Patriots and Steelers. But Chiefs-Chargers and Jags-Texans will also have a sizable say in how things shake out. Check out where everybody stands with three games to go.


1. Steelers (11-2)
Remaining schedule: vs. Patriots (10-3), at Texans (4-9), vs. Browns (0-13).
Opponents record: 14-25 (.359)
The skinny: If they can beat the Patriots at home this week, it’ll pretty much guarantee them home field.

2. Patriots (10-3)
Remaining schedule: at Steelers (11-2), vs. Bills (7-6), vs. Jets (5-8).
Opponents record: 23-16 (.590)
The skinny: The AFC regular-season championship is Sunday at Heinz Field.

3. Jaguars (9-4)
Remaining schedule: vs. Texans (4-9), at Niners (3-10), at Titans (8-5).
Opponents record: 15-24 (.385)
The skinny: Sentences I never thought I’d hear in 2017. “The Jaguars are a game behind the Patriots in the playoff race with three to play.”

4. Chiefs (7-6)
Remaining schedule: vs. Chargers (7-6), vs. Dolphins (6-7), at Broncos (4-9).
Opponents record: 17-22 (.436)
The skinny: The AFC West will be decided this weekend in Kansas City.

5. Titans (8-5)
Remaining schedule: at Niners (3-10), vs. Rams (9-4), vs. Jaguars (9-4).
Opponents record: 21-18 (.538)
The skinny: Tennessee’s chances of a division title are growing slimmer, especially when you consider the Titans still have a date with the Rams on the roster.

6. Bills (7-6)
Remaining schedule: vs. Dolphins (6-7), at Patriots (10-3), at Dolphins (6-7)
Opponents record: 22-17 (.564)
The skinny: Buffalo is still alive after that amazing finish in the snow against the Colts.

In the hunt
7. Ravens (7-6)
Remaining schedule: at Browns (0-13), vs. Colts (3-10), vs. Bengals (5-8)
Opponents record: 8-31 (.205)
The skinny: If the Ravens end up missing the playoffs by a game, they have no one but themselves to blame after the way they gave away that contest Sunday night. But look at that schedule the rest of the way.

8. Chargers (7-6)
Remaining schedule: at Chiefs (7-6), at Jets (5-8), vs. Raiders (6-7)
Opponents record: 18-21 (.462)
The skinny: Four straight wins by an average of 19.5 points per game.

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