NFL Sunday: The AFC’s Last Two Berths Have Five Contenders

Sunday’s early games

Among the early games starting at 1 p.m. Eastern time, the Titans can sew up the No. 1 seed in the A.F.C. if they beat the lowly Texans (CBS). That would wipe out Kansas City’s hopes for the top seed and the first-round bye.

The Indianapolis Colts (9-7) can clinch one of the two remaining A.F.C. wild-card berths if they beat the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-14), one of the league’s worst teams (CBS). If they do, it will close the door on the playoffs for both the Baltimore Ravens (8-8) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7-1), who play each other on CBS. (The Steelers can get into the playoffs with a win and a Colts loss; the Ravens would need a win, a Colts loss and some more help.)

The Cincinnati Bengals (10-6) have already won the A.F.C. North, but with Kansas City’s win on Saturday, their game against the Cleveland Browns (7-9) on Fox can no longer help their pursuit of the No. 1 seed.

Sunday’s late afternoon games

The Buffalo Bills (10-6) and New England Patriots (10-6) both have secured a playoff spot, and are battling for the A.F.C. East crown, which will greatly affect their seeding. Both teams play starting at 4:25 p.m. Eastern, with the Bills facing the Jets (4-12) on CBS and the Patriots traveling to Miami to play the Dolphins (8-8), also on CBS.

To win the N.F.C. West, the Arizona Cardinals (11-5) must beat the Seattle Seahawks (6-10) on Fox and hope that the Los Angeles Rams (12-4) lose to the San Francisco 49ers (9-7), also on Fox. If the Rams win, they take the division title.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/09/sports/football/nfl-playoff-picture-week-18.html