NFL Playoff Picture: AFC Wild Card Disaster?

The NFL playoff picture is beginning to shape up, but the AFC Wild Card disaster is becoming legitimate. There’s no way of telling who’s going to be able to cross at the finish line, but we can do our best to predict. Here’s a little look at what to watch for as we head into the crucial stretch.

THE CONTENDERS

AFC East: Miami Dolphins (5-4), Buffalo Bills (5-4)

The entire AFC North

AFC West: Kansas City Chiefs (6-3), San Diego Chargers (5-4)

AFC South: Houston Texans (4-5)

WHAT WE KNOW NOW

It’s hard to really say anything is set in stone at the moment, but we can conclude a few things…

• The Texans are likely done. They have five losses with three AFC North teams and the Indianapolis Colts still on the schedule.
• The Bills have the easiest chance to collapse in a big way. They have two straight divisional games followed by the Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, and Green Bay Packers upcoming.
• Anybody can win the AFC North. With the Baltimore Ravens win and Pittsburgh Steelers loss this week, the entire division is wide open.

WHAT TO WATCH NEXT WEEK

Next week provides several key games that could decide the AFC wild card race. It’s still early, but a tone can be set by some big performances. Here’s what you’ll want to keep your eye on once Week 11 rolls around…

Bills vs. Dolphins, 8:25pm Thursday night

Texans vs. Browns, 1:00pm Sunday

Seahawks vs. Chiefs, 1:00pm Sunday

Steelers vs. Titans, 8:30pm Monday

DIVISION WINNERS

Taking out the North (there’s no need to project a winner, for obvious reasons), it’s pretty clear what will take place at the top of each AFC division. The New England Patriots should handily secure the East, the Broncos have no excuses to not win the West, and the Colts should and will roll to a victory in the South.