AFC Playoff Picture Heating Up: Broncos Reclaim Top Spot, Patriots Eye Division Crown
As the New England Patriots enjoyed a much-needed bye in Week 14, the Denver Broncos took full advantage of their opportunity-and then some. With a win over the Las Vegas Raiders, Denver moved to 11-2 on the season and climbed back into the driver’s seat for the AFC’s No. 1 seed. The Patriots, also 11-2, now trail in the tiebreaker due to a Week 1 loss to those same Raiders-a detail that looms large with just four games left in the regular season.
But the race for the top seed is just one piece of a playoff puzzle that’s shifting by the week. The AFC is a logjam of contenders, surging teams, and late-season chaos. Let’s break it all down-from current standings to seeding battles and what the postseason would look like if it started today.
Current AFC Standings: Broncos Take the Lead
With their win over Las Vegas, the Broncos leapfrogged New England to reclaim the AFC’s top seed. Thanks to a better record against common opponents, Denver holds the tiebreaker over the Patriots, who stumbled out of the gate back in Week 1 with a loss to the Raiders.
Here’s how the AFC stacks up after Week 14:
- Denver Broncos (11-2) - AFC West leader
- New England Patriots (11-2) - AFC East leader
- Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4) - AFC South leader
- Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) - AFC North leader
- Buffalo Bills (9-4)
- Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)
- Indianapolis Colts (8-5)
In the Hunt:
- Houston Texans (7-5)
- Kansas City Chiefs (6-6)
- Baltimore Ravens (6-7)
The AFC North continues to be a rollercoaster. The Steelers pulled off a stunner by toppling Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, vaulting themselves into the division lead and sending Baltimore tumbling down the standings.
Meanwhile, the Colts took a tough loss to the Jaguars-made worse by the news that quarterback Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles tear. Jacksonville, at 9-4, holds the No. 3 seed and continues to show they’re more than just a feel-good story.
Race for the No. 1 Seed: Broncos vs. Patriots
This is where things get spicy. Both Denver and New England sit at 11-2, but the Broncos have the edge thanks to that all-important tiebreaker. With four weeks to go, every snap matters.
Remaining Schedules:
- Patriots: vs. Bills, at Ravens, at Jets, vs.
Dolphins
- Broncos: vs.
Packers, vs. Jaguars, at Chiefs, vs.
Chargers
For New England, the road ahead is no cakewalk. Three of their last four games come against AFC playoff hopefuls, including a critical showdown with Buffalo. Denver, meanwhile, has a pair of tough divisional matchups still looming, including a trip to Kansas City and a season finale against the Chargers.
AFC East Battle: Patriots vs. Bills
The Patriots may be leading the East, but the Bills are still lurking. After Buffalo’s snow-soaked win over Cincinnati, the gap is down to two games. New England’s "magic number" to clinch the division is three-any combination of Patriots wins and Bills losses that adds up to three will lock up the AFC East for Foxborough.
Where things really tilt in New England’s favor is the tiebreaker scenario. The Patriots already beat the Bills in Week 5 and hold a 3-0 record in divisional play, compared to Buffalo’s 2-2 mark. If it comes down to head-to-head and in-division records, the Patriots are in strong position.
Remaining Schedules:
- Patriots: vs. Bills, at Ravens, at Jets, vs.
Dolphins
- Bills: vs.
Patriots, at Browns, vs. Eagles, vs.
Jets
Buffalo’s path isn’t exactly smooth either. After facing the Patriots, they’ll have to deal with a tough Browns defense, a high-powered Eagles offense, and a Jets team that’s feisty enough to play spoiler.
If the Playoffs Started Today: Wild Card Matchups
Let’s play the hypothetical game. If the season ended today, here’s how the AFC Wild Card round would line up:
- No. 1 Broncos - BYE
- **No. 2 Patriots vs.
No. 7 Colts**
- **No. 3 Jaguars vs.
No. 6 Chargers**
- **No. 4 Steelers vs.
No. 5 Bills**
The Patriots would host an Indianapolis team that’s now without Daniel Jones, while the Jaguars and Chargers would square off in what could be one of the most electric matchups of the weekend. And then there’s Steelers vs. Bills-a clash of physicality and grit that feels tailor-made for playoff football.
Final Stretch: Everything to Play For
With four weeks left, the AFC playoff picture is anything but settled. The Broncos and Patriots are locked in a high-stakes duel for home-field advantage.
The AFC North is still a toss-up. The Wild Card race is crowded with hungry teams like Houston, Kansas City, and Baltimore trying to claw their way in.
One thing’s clear: the road to the Super Bowl in the AFC is going to be a grind. And with every team still having something to fight for, December football is about to deliver the chaos we all crave. Buckle up.