AFC Playoff Picture After Week 15: Steelers Hold the Line, Dolphins Eliminated, and the Race Tightens
The Pittsburgh Steelers walked into Monday night with pressure on their shoulders - a loss to the Miami Dolphins would’ve knocked them out of first place in the AFC North. But Mike Tomlin’s squad didn’t blink. The Steelers handled their business, and with the win, they not only stayed atop the division but also climbed to the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoff picture.
This wasn’t one of those nail-biters - Pittsburgh took control early and never let up. The victory officially eliminated the Dolphins from postseason contention and kept the Steelers in the driver’s seat heading into the final stretch. With three games to go and a Week 18 showdown against the Ravens looming, Pittsburgh controls its own destiny in the division.
AFC North: Still a Two-Team Race
The AFC North is now officially a two-horse race between the Steelers (8-6) and the Ravens (7-7). Cincinnati and Cleveland have both been mathematically eliminated.
But don’t let the record fool you - Baltimore is still very much alive and could make things interesting. The Ravens have a tough road ahead, though, with games remaining against three playoff-caliber opponents: the Patriots, Packers, and Steelers.
That Week 18 matchup between Pittsburgh and Baltimore could end up deciding the division - and potentially a home playoff game.
AFC North Standings (After Week 15): 1.
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6)
2.
Baltimore Ravens (7-7)
3.
Cincinnati Bengals (4-10) - Eliminated
4.
Cleveland Browns (3-11) - Eliminated
AFC Playoff Picture: Broncos Clinch, Middle Seeds Jockeying
At the top of the AFC, the Denver Broncos continue to roll. Their latest win moved them to 12-2 and officially punched their ticket to the postseason. They hold the No. 1 seed and, for now, the inside track to home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Just behind them, the Patriots (11-3) remain in second despite a loss over the weekend. The Jaguars (10-4) stay locked into the No. 3 spot after a solid win, while Pittsburgh now slots in at No. 4 as the highest-seeded division leader with the weakest record.
The wild card race is where things get particularly spicy. The Chargers, Bills, and Texans all notched wins in Week 15, keeping them in the fifth, sixth, and seventh seeds respectively. All three sit at 10-4 or 9-5, and none of them can afford to slip with the Colts (8-6) breathing down their necks.
Indianapolis is the first team out right now, just one game behind Houston for the final wild card spot. They’ve also got a one-game edge over Baltimore, who’s still hanging around at 7-7.
Updated AFC Playoff Standings (After Week 15): 1.
Denver Broncos (12-2)*
2.
New England Patriots (11-3)
3.
Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4)
4.
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6)
5.
Los Angeles Chargers (10-4, 8-2 AFC)
6.
Buffalo Bills (10-4, 7-3 AFC)
7.
Houston Texans (9-5)
8.
Indianapolis Colts (8-6)
9.
Baltimore Ravens (7-7)
10.
Miami Dolphins (6-7) - Eliminated
11.
Kansas City Chiefs (6-8) - Eliminated
12.
Cincinnati Bengals (4-10) - Eliminated
13.
New York Jets (3-11) - Eliminated
14.
Cleveland Browns (3-11) - Eliminated
15.
Las Vegas Raiders (2-12) - Eliminated
16.
Tennessee Titans (2-12) - Eliminated
* - Clinched playoff berth
Looking Ahead: The Margin for Error Is Gone
With just three weeks left in the regular season, the playoff picture is starting to crystallize - but there’s still plenty of movement possible. The Steelers and Ravens are set for a collision course in Week 18, and the wild card battle remains wide open with five teams realistically fighting for three spots.
For teams like the Colts and Ravens, every game from here on out is essentially a playoff game. One misstep could mean watching January football from the couch. The Texans, Bills, and Chargers can’t afford to get too comfortable either - the gap between in and out is razor-thin.
Meanwhile, the Broncos have done what elite teams do: stack wins and take care of business early. They’ve clinched, but with the No. 1 seed still up for grabs, don’t expect them to ease off the gas just yet.
Bottom line: Week 15 gave us clarity at the top and chaos in the middle. And with three weeks left, the AFC is shaping up for a wild finish. Buckle up.