AFC Playoff Picture: Chiefs gaining separation, while Patriots and Steelers angling for second seed

The AFC playoff picture is starting to come into focus. The Patriots slipped a bit with their loss to the Titans on Sunday, but their schedule the rest of the way would seemingly assure them of a No. 2 spot … provided they can knock off the Steelers in Pittsburgh next month. Meanwhile, Houston and Los Angeles appeared poised to make some noise over the final month-plus of the season. Check out where the complete of the AFC field stands, and who has the toughest road to the postseason.


1. Chiefs (9-1)
Remaining schedule: at Rams (9-1), at Raiders (1-8), vs. Ravens (4-5), vs. Chargers (7-2), at Seahawks (4-5), vs. Raiders (1-8)
Opponents record: 26-29 (.473)
The skinny: That game against the Chargers could go a long way toward determining who wins the AFC West. It also goes without saying that New England and Pittsburgh would love to see Philip Rivers pull the upset there.

2. Steelers (6-2-1)
Remaining schedule: at Jaguars (3-6), at Broncos (3-6), vs. Chargers (7-2), at Raiders (1-8), vs. Patriots (7-3), at Saints (8-1), vs. Bengals (5-4)
Opponents record: 34-30 (.531)
The skinny: Lot of football left to be played for Pittsburgh, which has more games against plus-.500 teams the rest of the way (four) than any of the other elite teams in the conference.

3. Patriots (7-3)
Remaining schedule: at Jets (3-7), vs. Vikings (5-3-1), at Dolphins (5-5), at Steelers (6-2-1), vs. Bills (3-7), vs. Jets (3-7)
Opponents record: 25-31-1 (.439)
The skinny: Those last two games against the Bills and Jets could provide New England with a nice bump to end the regular season.

4. Texans (6-3)
Remaining schedule: at Redskins (6-3), vs. Titans (5-4), vs. Browns (3-6-1), vs. Colts (4-5), at Jets (3-7), at Eagles (4-5), vs. Jaguars (3-6)
Opponents record: 28-36 (.438)
The skinny: After their game against Tennessee later this month, they don’t play a plus-.500 team down the stretch. Sets up very nicely for Bill O’Brien’s bunch.

5. Chargers (7-2)
Remaining schedule: vs. Broncos (3-6), vs. Cardinals (2-7), at Steelers (6-2-1), vs. Bengals (5-4), at Chiefs (9-1), vs. Ravens (4-5), at Broncos (3-6)
Opponents record: 32-31-1 (.508)
The skinny: Eleven wins is a real possibility for this Los Angeles team, which is really playing well right now.

6. Bengals (5-4)
Remaining schedule: at Ravens (4-5), vs. Browns (3-6-1), vs. Broncos (3-6), at Chargers (7-2), vs. Raiders (1-8), at Browns (3-6-1), at Steelers (6-2-1)
Opponents record: 27-35-1 (.429)
The skinny: After a 4-1 start, they had control of the AFC North. Not so much anymore.

IN THE HUNT

7. Titans (5-4)
Remaining schedule: at Colts (4-5), at Texans (6-3), vs. Jets (3-7), vs. Jaguars (3-6), at Giants (1-7), vs. Redskins (6-3), vs. Colts (4-5)
Opponents record: 27-36 (.430)
The skinny: Tennessee has ridden a roller coaster all year long. (Three straight wins, three straight losses). The finish should be no different.

8. Dolphins (5-5)
Remaining schedule: at Colts (4-5), vs. Bills (3-7), vs. Patriots (7-3), at Vikings (5-3-1), vs. Jaguars (3-6), at Bills (3-7)
Opponents record: 25-31 (.446)
The skinny: If Miami finishes 9-7 — eminently possible, given their schedule the rest of the way — that might be enough to sneak in the backdoor for that final spot. But there's no margin for error the rest of the way.

Rest of the field: Ravens (4-5), Colts (4-5), Browns (3-6-1), Jaguars (3-6), Broncos (3-6), Bills (3-7), Jets (3-7), Raiders (1-8).