AFC

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 17: Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins reacts during the second half of a game against the New York Jets at Hard Rock Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

In the hunt

• Indianapolis Colts (6-8)
• Miami Dolphins (6-8)
• Cincinnati Bengals (6-8)

Eliminated

• New York Jets (4-10)
• Cleveland Browns (3-11)
• Jacksonville Jaguars (3-11)
• Tennessee Titans (3-11)
• New England Patriots (3-11)
• Las Vegas Raiders (2-12)

1. Chiefs 13-1 • 1st AFC West

Sep 5, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) sacks Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) causing a fumble during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Patrick Mahomes has a high ankle sprain and could miss time with two games in four days. The No. 1 seed could be had with a win over Houston and a Buffalo loss.

Remaining schedule: vs. Texans, at Steelers, vs. Broncos

2. Bills 11-3 • 1st AFC East

Dec 8, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) throws against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Josh Allen has thrown for 704 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 150 yards and five scores over his last two games.

Remaining schedule: vs. Patriots, vs. Jets, at Patriots

3. Steelers 10-4 • 1st AFC North

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 15: Lane Johnson #65 of the Philadelphia Eagles blocks T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

After a loss to the Eagles, the Steelers only have a one-game lead over the Ravens, and their rematch is coming up. The Steelers have the toughest remaining schedule.

Remaining schedule: at Ravens, vs. Chiefs, vs. Bengals

4. 9-5 • 1st AFC South

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) runs with the ball in the second quarter, Thursday, October 31, 2024, in East Rutherford.

Houston has clinched a playoff berth and will face Kansas City and Baltimore.

Remaining schedule: at Chiefs, vs. Ravens, at Titans

5. RAVENS 9-5 • 2nd AFC North

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 15: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after a touchdown during the second quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on December 15, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

The next three weeks will be about learning where Baltimore will be seeded.

Remaining schedule: vs. Steelers, at Texans, vs. Browns

6. BRONCOS 9-5 • 2nd AFC West

Dec 2, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) scrambles with the ball ahead of offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey (69) in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Had Indianapolis won their Week 15 matchup against Denver, they would’ve pulled to within a game of the Broncos and claimed the head-to-head tiebreaker with a significantly easier schedule over the final three weeks. The Broncos’ final three opponents have a combined record of 27-15, while the Ceits Week 15 (vs. Titans, at Giants, it would have been 8-34 and all in the mix for the No. 1 pick.

Remaining schedule: at Chargers, at Bengals, vs. Chiefs

7. CHARGERS 8-6 • 3rd AFC West

Dec 1, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) passes the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The Chargers were 7-3 after a win over the Bengals, but they’ve dropped three of four with losses to the Ravens, Chiefs, and Buccaneers.

Remaining schedule: vs. Broncos, at Patriots, at Raiders