The bad news for the Patriots is that they fell all the way from first in the AFC to third in the AFC when they lost on Sunday and the Bengals and Broncos both won.
The good news for the Patriots is that they’re guaranteed of a first-round playoff bye if they win out. The Broncos and Bengals play each other in Week 16, so one of them will end up with at least three losses.
Cincinnati, Denver and New England are the class of the conference. Here’s how the whole playoff picture shapes up:
LEADERS
1. Bengals (10-2): Cincinnati’s 8-1 conference record is the best in the AFC.
2. Broncos (10-2): Denver owns the head-to-head tiebreaker with New England.
3. Patriots (10-2): New England closes the season at Houston, home against the Titans, at the Jets and at the Dolphins. Win those and they get a first-round bye.
4. Colts (6-6): Indianapolis is in good shape, with an easy schedule down the stretch and a game against Houston at home.
5. Chiefs (7-5): Kansas City’s 6-2 conference record will come in handy at tiebreaker time.
6. Jets (7-5): For now, the Jets own the conference record tiebreaker over the Steelers.
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
7. Steelers (7-5): The Steelers’ 4-4 conference record could cost them if it comes down to tiebreakers.
8. Bills (6-6): Buffalo owns the head-to-head tiebreaker over Houston in the wild card race.
9. Texans (6-6): Houston’s best chance is getting in as a division winner by passing the Colts.