The AFC East gets more interesting with each week. We thought the Buffalo Bills would run away with the division now that the New England Patriots have faded, but here come the Miami Dolphins, just a half-game back of the Bills after Buffalo gave up a last-second Hail Mary to lose to the Arizona Cardinals. The Bills had led that game, 23-9 at one point, so the Bills have more to blame themselves about than just that one play.
Let’s take a look at the playoff picture in the AFC as you plan your NFL betting on postseason futures.
NFL News: Updated AFC Playoff Picture
The Top Seven
#1 seed: Pittsburgh Steelers (9-0)
The Steelers remained unbeaten, reaching 9-0 for the first time in franchise history after a shellacking of the Cincinnati Bengals. Remember, there’s only one bye in the AFC this year, and they still lead Kansas City by a game to get that week off.
#2: Kansas City Chiefs (8-1)
The Chiefs head into their bye before a tough finish to 2020. They visit the Raiders (who beat the Chiefs at Arrowhead). They also head to Tampa Bay, New Orleans and Miami.
#3: Buffalo Bills (7-3)
Sure, the win over Seattle was impressive. But then the Bills went down to Phoenix and lost to a Cardinals team that Miami beat last week.
#4: Indianapolis Colts (6-3)
Beating Tennessee on Thursday gave them the tiebreaker in the AFC South. They have four more divisional games, but they also face the Raiders, Packers and Steelers.
#5: Las Vegas Raiders (6-3)
Las Vegas has a better AFC record than Baltimore, Cleveland, Miami and Tennessee. They host Indianapolis and Miami down the stretch.
#6: Miami Dolphins (6-3)
Taking down the Chargers gave the Dolphins a better AFC record than Baltimore, Cleveland and Tennessee. Miami still has a date with Las Vegas.
#7: Baltimore Ravens (6-3)
That shocking loss in New England put Baltimore three games behind Pittsburgh. They have beaten Cleveland and Indianapolis to give them a leg up on a wild card.
On the Edge
#8 Cleveland Browns (6-3)
#9 Tennessee Titans (6-3)
#9 Tennessee Titans (6-3)
Indianapolis, Las Vegas and Miami all won, pushing past these two teams. Cleveland did beat Houston on Sunday — but only scored 10 points, despite getting 100+ yard rushing days from both Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Tennessee started 5-0 but has fallen off the table. They head to Baltimore to take on the Ravens next.
In Need of Serious Help
#10 New England Patriots (4-5)
Yes, the Pats got a huge home win over Baltimore, but a lot more things need to go right for them down the stretch.
#11 Denver Broncos (3-6)
It’s still a rebuilding year in Denver.
#12 Cincinnati Bengals (2-6-1)
Joe Burrow needs a team built around him. Tee Higgins is a great find at receiver, but he needs an O-line, a tailback and a defense.
#13 Los Angeles Chargers (2-7)
Justin Herbert is playing solid ball, but it looks like Anthony Lynn put him in at starter too soon. Hopefully all of these blown leads don’t drain his confidence.
#14 Houston Texans (2-7)
Deshaun Watson could only muster one touchdown against Cleveland’s iffy secondary?
#15 Jacksonville Jaguars (1-8)
The Jaguars almost pulled off the huge upset at Lambeau, but Aaron Rodgers is very difficult to beat.
#16 New York Jets (0-9)
Seven more losses and then it’s Draft Trevor Lawrence time. Could he pull an Eli Manning?
There are six teams sitting at 6-3, all of them with recognizable strengths. New England and Denver both have very difficult schedules ahead. Cincinnati gets three dates against the NFC East (they tied Philadelphia in Week 2), but they also play Miami and have Pittsburgh one more time.
NFL Betting Odds
Love betting NFL football? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date NFL lines
