AFC Playoff Picture: Patriots seize command of postseason chase

On Sunday, the Patriots rose to the occasion. The Steelers did not. As a result, New England now has the inside track in the race for home field in the AFC playoffs. Check out the rest of the conference breaks down below:



1. Patriots (11-3)
Remaining schedule: vs. Bills (8-6), vs. Jets (5-9).
Opponents record: 13-15 (.464)
The skinny: After Sunday’s game, home-field now seems like an inevitability for New England.

2. Steelers (11-3)
Remaining schedule: at Texans (4-10), vs. Browns (0-14).
Opponents record: 4-24 (.143)
The skinny: Pittsburgh missed out on a huge opportunity Sunday afternoon, but given their slate the rest of the way, the Steelers should still walk to a 13-3 finish.

3. Jaguars (10-4)
Remaining schedule: at Niners (4-10), at Titans (8-6).
Opponents record: 12-16 (.429)
The skinny: Jacksonville cliched its first playoff spot in a decade on Sunday.

4. Chiefs (8-6)
Remaining schedule: vs. Dolphins (6-8), at Broncos (5-9).
Opponents record: 11-17 (.393)
The skinny: Did Kansas City regain its footing with a win over the Chargers?

5. Titans (8-6)
Remaining schedule: vs. Rams (10-4), vs. Jaguars (10-4).
Opponents record: 20-8 (.714)
The skinny: Back-to-back bad road losses for Tennessee is an indication the Titans aren’t quite ready for prime time.

6. Bills (8-6)
Remaining schedule: at Patriots (11-3), at Dolphins (6-8)
Opponents record: 17-11 (.607)
The skinny: Buffalo walking into a must-win situation this coming weekend in New England.

In the hunt
7. Ravens (8-6)
Remaining schedule: vs. Colts (3-11), vs. Bengals (5-9)
Opponents record: 8-20 (.286)
The skinny: If Buffalo loses against the Patriots, given their weak schedule the rest of the way, it looks like the Ravens are poised to move into that No. 6 spot.

8. Chargers (7-7)
Remaining schedule: at Jets (5-9), vs. Raiders (6-8)
Opponents record: 11-17 (.393)
The skinny: Los Angeles now likely needs to sweep its last two games to have any shot at reaching the playoffs.

Rest of the field: 9. Raiders (6-8), 10. Dolphins (6-8).