The playoffs are more than two months away, but it’s beginning to be that time of year when projections and possibilities are taking shape. They’ll change, but here’s a look at the AFC seeds if the postseason started today:
1. Denver Broncos (5-1)
The Broncos have a big game with the San Diego Chargers on Thursday. If they can win that game, they’ll have a two-game lead in the AFC West and would be in very good position to be one of the four division winners in the AFC, which would mean a home game in the playoffs. The Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots are also huge favorites to win their divisions, while the Baltimore Ravens have a slight advantage in the AFC North over the Cincinnati Bengals. The Broncos have played a lot of home games this season, so the second half of the season could be very challenging for them, but beating the Chargers would give them a little bit of a cushion.
In the playoffs, the Broncos are currently positioned to get a first-round bye. If they lose to the Chargers, though, they’d fall into second place and a wild card spot.
2. Indianapolis Colts (5-2)
The Colts would get the nod over the Patriots for the second seed and a first-round bye in the playoffs by virtue of a better conference record than New England. The Colts’ defense shut out Cincinnati this past weekend, and the offense has Andrew Luck, a star who is on the verge of becoming a superstar in the NFL. Indianapolis has a lot of pieces in place, and it is mindful that it has little competition from the rest of the teams in the AFC South. Houston and Tennessee have both been struggling in recent weeks.
3. New England Patriots (5-2)
The Patriots, if the season ended today, would have to be relegated to the wild card round. But as the season continues they will certainly get a chance to play their way into a first-round bye. The Patriots’ offense has been great ever since Tom Brady was doubted in New England’s blowout loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football. New England is becoming sharper, just as you’d expect from a Bill Belichick-coached team. The Patriots, in the wild card round, would play the Pittsburgh Steelers. Because New England is a division winner (at the moment), the Patriots would host that game. They’d be the higher seed.
4. Baltimore Ravens (5-2)
This is the final division winner on the board. The Ravens know that the Cincinnati Bengals are struggling on offense without A.J. Green, their star receiver. They know that Cincinnati is also struggling on defense as well. The Ravens, after failing to make the playoffs last season, would love to win the division and host a playoff game. They would host the San Diego Chargers if the playoffs began right now.
5. San Diego Chargers (5-2)
The Chargers just lost at home to the Kansas City Chiefs, knocking them out of a tie for the division lead in the AFC West. They have a big game at Denver on Thursday for the right to take the lead in the division. Right now, San Diego would go to Baltimore in the wild card round.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3)
The Steelers technically have the lead here, even though Cincinnati is 3-2-1. The Bengals would take the lead over Pittsburgh if they won one more game. This talk is pointless, though: The Steelers and Bengals will settle the issue in their two regular season meetings. Pittsburgh would go to New England in the wild card round.
