Six teams in each conference – four division winners and two wild cards – make the playoffs. The two division winners with the best records in each conference earn first-round byes.
Despite the stunning last-second loss in Miami, the Patriots maintained a hold of the No. 2 spot in the race for playoff spots in the AFC thanks to Houston's loss to Indianapolis. They currently hold the tiebreaker over the Texans by virtue of their Week 1 victory in Foxborough. They also hold the tiebreaker over Kansas City thanks to a Week 6 win, so should the Patriots finish tied with either team they would have the edge. While the 10-3 Chargers have a better record than New England, they currently sit in second place behind the Chiefs in the AFC West and would therefore be a wild card if the playoffs began today. If the Chargers win out and finish tied at 13-3 with the Chiefs, Kansas City would win the AFC West based on division record.
Here's a look at the current postseason picture in the AFC:
| TEAM | RECORD | DIV. | AFC | REMAINING SCHEDULE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiefs | 11-2 | 4-0 | 9-1 | LAC, at Sea., Oak. |
| Patriots | 9-4 | 3-1 | 6-3 | at Pit., Buf., NYJ |
| Texans | 9-4 | 3-2 | 7-3 | at NYJ, at Phi., Jax. |
| Steelers | 7-5-1 | 3-1-1 | 4-5-1 | NE, at NO, Cin. |
| Chargers | 10-3 | 2-2 | 7-2 | at KC, Bal., at Den. |
| Ravens | 7-6 | 2-3 | 6-4 | TB, at LAC, Cle. |
| IN THE HUNT | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colts | 7-6 | 3-2 | 6-5 | Dal., NYG, at Ten. |
| Dolphins | 7-6 | 4-1 | 6-4 | at Min., Jax., at Buf. |
| Titans | 7-6 | 3-2 | 5-6 | at NYG, Was., Ind. |
| Broncos | 6-7 | 2-2 | 4-5 | Cle., at Oak., LAC |
| Browns | 5-7-1 | 2-1-1 | 3-5-1 | at Den., Cin., at Bal. |
| Bengals | 5-8 | 1-3 | 3-6 | Oak., at Cle., at Pit. |
