The Patriots currently occupy the No. 2 spot in the race for playoff spots in the AFC. They currently hold the tiebreaker over Houston by virtue of their Week 1 victory over the Texans 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 Chargers are also tied at 9-3, 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 | 10-2 | 4-0 | 8-1 | Bal., LAC, at Sea., Oak. |
| Patriots | 9-3 | 3-0 | 6-2 | at Mia., at Pit., Buf., NYJ |
| Texans | 9-3 | 3-1 | 7-2 | Ind., at NYJ, at Phi., Jax. |
| Steelers | 7-4-1 | 3-1-1 | 4-4-1 | at Oak., NE, at NO, Cin. |
| Chargers | 9-3 | 2-2 | 6-2 | Cin., at KC, Bal., at Den. |
| Ravens | 7-5 | 2-3 | 6-3 | at KC, TB, at LAC, Cle. |
| IN THE HUNT | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colts | 6-6 | 2-2 | 5-5 | at Hou., Dal., NYG, at Ten. |
| Dolphins | 6-6 | 3-1 | 5-4 | NE, at Min., Jax., at Buf. |
| Broncos | 6-6 | 2-2 | 4-5 | at SF, Cle., at Oak., LAC |
| Titans | 6-6 | 2-2 | 4-6 | Jax., at NYG, Was., Ind. |
| Bengals | 5-7 | 1-3 | 3-5 | at LAC, Oak., at Cle., at Pit. |
| Browns | 4-7-1 | 2-1-1 | 3-5-1 | Car., at Den., Cin., at Bal. |
