AFC Playoff Picture: Ranking the Teams in the Hunt

 

Ranking AFC Wild Card Contenders: Who Reigns Supreme?

So far in this NFL season, it's been clear that the AFC has a lot of solid squads. The Chiefs (10-4), Patriots (9-5), Titans (9-5), Bengals (8-6) currently lead their divisions. While other teams are fighting for a wildcard berth, or still battling for a division crown, such as young teams with star quarterbacks like the Bengals and Chargers, and some teams who have kind of been underwhelming (Bills). Today we are going to take a peek at each team fighting for a wildcard spot in the conference, and rank these 9 teams in terms of talent, coaching, and overall performance for this season. Let's get into it!👇

1.) 

Indianapolis Colts (8-6): Many people (including me) thought the Colts were left for dead after a tough 1-4 start. But led by stud running back Johnathan Taylor (who has played himself into the MVP conversation) and the man they call "The Maniac" (linebacker Darius Leonard who has been the catalyst for a Colts defence that is tied for first in takeaways with 31), Indy has gone 7-2 with impressive victories over the 49ers, Bills, and the Patriots. The AFC South is probably out of reach (unless Tennessee completely collapses down the stretch),but with Carson Wentz playing solid football, and their ability to impose their will at the line of scrimmage on both sides on the ball, the Colts are a team that absolutely nobody wants to see in the playoffs.

Remaining schedule: (at Cardinals, vs Raiders, at Jaguars)

2.) 

 Buffalo Bills (8-6): The Bills surprisingly haven't looked like the team that went 13-3 and made an appearance in the AFC Championship game last season. But still they have put themselves into position for a wildcard spot (and the AFC East title is still a possibility if they can beat the Patriots on Sunday). They still possess a deadly passing attack led by Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs, and their defence is elite (tied for 3rd in takeaways and 1st in total yards allowed). But they are running out of time to prove that they an elite team as a whole.

Remaining schedule: (at Patriots, vs Falcons, vs Jets)

3.) 

Los Angeles Chargers (8-6): The Chargers suffered a tough loss to the Chiefs on Thursday Night Football which pretty much locked up the AFC West for the defending AFC champs. Even though the Chargers have been very inconsistent (4-5 in their last nine after starting the season 4-1), they still have a great chance to make the postseason mainly thanks to their superstar sophomore quarterback Justin Herbert who routinely makes eye-popping, incredible throws every week. Their last three games of the season are all against teams at or below .500, so they should be able to take one of the three wildcard spots.

Remaining schedule: (at Texans, vs Broncos, at Raiders)

4.) Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6-1): You just can't count this team out. One week, it looks like the whole team doesn't want to play, and Ben Roethlisberger is cooked. Then they come back the next week with a spirited performance and save their season. The Steelers run defence is still pretty bad, but with the return of Joe Haden at corner, and TJ Watt and Cam Heyward on the defensive line, they still have a solid chance at a wildcard berth or winning the AFC North. But the offence needs to step it up, and they need to do it fast because they have a tough last stretch of games coming up, including a trip to play the red-hot Chiefs at Arrowhead on Sunday.

Remaining schedule: (at Chiefs, vs Browns, at Ravens)

5.) 

Baltimore Ravens (8-6): The Ravens are reeling, as they've lost 3 straight games in excruciating fashion to the Steelers, Browns, and Packers respectively. The debate about whether John Harbaugh should've gone for 2 will continue on, but regardless, the Ravens are still in prime position to make the playoffs (even with injuries piling up by the minute). If they beat the Bengals this week, they'll retake the top spot in the AFC North. Baltimore will probably have to win 2 out of their last 3 to get in, and their remaining schedule isn't looking too fruitful.

Remaining schedule: (at Bengals. vs Rams, vs Steelers)

6.) 

Miami Dolphins (7-7): After getting off a terrible 1-7 start, and looking like one of the worst teams in the NFL the surging Dolphins have won 6 straight, and are looking more like the 10-6 team from last season. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has played in the last five games, and in those contests, he's scored 9 total touchdowns, while throwing 3 interceptions. The Dolphins also currently rank 7th when it comes to stopping the run, and the defence has forced 12 turnovers during the six game winning streak. They have a daunting schedule to close out the season, with a trip to New Orleans on Monday night to play the Saints, followed up by a trip to Nashville to play the Titans, and a home game against the AFC East leading Patriots. But the Dolphins are certainly capable of keeping this surprising run going.

Remaining schedule: (at Saints, at Titans, vs Patriots)

7.)   

Las Vegas Raiders (7-7): Similarly to the Steelers, it seems like every time it looks like the Raiders are dead, they come back to life. A win on Tuesday over the Browns (who had multiple players out due to injuries or COVID, plus head coach Kevin Stefanski also tested positive for the virus) keeps Vegas's slim playoff hopes alive for the time being. The fact that they are still in the hunt even with all the distractions they've had to deal with this season is impressive. But this team is way too inconsistent (on both sides of the ball) for me to say they'll nab a spot.

Remaining schedule: (vs Broncos, at Colts, vs Chargers)

8.) 

Cleveland Browns (7-7): The aforementioned Browns put up a valiant effort against the Raiders before losing on a game winning field goal. This team has a lot of fight in it, but with injuries piling up, along with COVID cases, it seems unlikely that the Browns make a return trip to the postseason. Complicating matters is that their schedule to end the regular season might be the toughest out of the 9 teams competing for a playoff berth, starting with a visit to Lambeau Field on Christmas Day to play the Packers (who are currently the number one seed in the NFC).

Remaining schedule: (at Packers, at Steelers, vs Bengals)

9.)  

Denver Broncos (7-7): The Broncos looked like a contender for the AFC West early on, as they started off 3-0. But they've gone just 4-7 since that hot start, and the main culprit for their skid is the offence, which ranks just 19th in passing yards per game, and 21st in points per game. Which when you have playmakers like Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Tim Patrick, and rookie standout Javonte Williams, those rankings are unacceptable. The defence has been stellar, ranking 4th in yards allowed per game, and 6th in passing yardage allowed while facing the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Derek Carr. But to reach the postseason, Denver needs good and consistent coaching and quarterback play, which won't be arriving this late in the season.

Remaining schedule: (at Raiders, at Chargers, vs Chiefs)