When week 14 ended, the New England Patriots became the first AFC team to be eliminated from playoff contention. When week 15 is all said & done, the Baltimore Ravens can be the first AFC team in the playoffs for the 2023-24 NFL season. Meanwhile, the New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, & Los Angeles Chargers could have their seasons end with no trip to the playoffs. Let’s take a look at the AFC playoff picture.
Thanks to the Las Vegas Raiders defeating the Chargers in epic fashion on Thursday night, as well as yesterday’s action, which saw the Cincinnati Bengals defeat the Minnesota Vikings in overtime, the Indianapolis Colts defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers, & the Detroit Lions defeat the Denver Broncos, scenarios affecting the playoff picture have been heavily reduced.
Before week 15 started, the Ravens had 25 scenarios where they could have clinched a playoff berth. After yesterday’s action, they now have 4 of them. Thanks to the Steelers & Broncos losing, all the Ravens have to do now is win on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars. If their game ends in a tie, the Ravens can still clinch a playoff berth, if…the Buffalo Bills lose; Houston Texans lose or tie & the Cleveland Browns lose; the Browns lose, the Bills win, & the Miami Dolphins win or tie.
Before week 15 started, the Jets had 16 ways to be eliminated & all of them involved them losing on the road against the Dolphins. Now, they have to avoid 3 scenarios. The Jets will be eliminated if they lose and…the Bills win; the Browns or Texans win or tie.
Before week 15 started, the Titans had 5 ways to be eliminated & all of them involved losing at home to the Texans. Unfortunately, 2 scenarios involved the outcome of the Steelers @ Colts game, and another hinged on a Bengals win or tie. Now, the only way the Titans will be eliminated is for them to lose to the Texans.
Before Thursday’s game, the Chargers & the Raiders were in scenarios, where the team who lost would be in position to be eliminated, but needed help that included either a win or tie by the (defending Super Bowl Champion) Kansas City Chiefs or a Broncos win, as well as scenarios determined based on Saturday’s results.
AFC Playoff Picture: Week 15
The Chargers can be eliminated if…
-the Jaguars, Texans, & Chiefs win or tie and….the Browns win; the Jets lose or tie & the Browns tie; the Bills win & the Browns tie.
-the Texans & Chiefs win and the Browns & Jaguars tie.
-The Jaguars & Texans win and the Chiefs & Browns tie.
-the Chiefs & Jaguars win, the Browns tie, and…the Texans win and the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, or Los Angeles Rams win or tie; the Texans tie and the Eagles, Packers, Rams, or Giants win or tie.
-the Browns, Texans, & Jaguars tie, the Chiefs win, and…the Packers, Rams, Giants, or Eagles win or tie.
-the Texans, Chiefs, & Browns tie, the Jaguars win, and…the Rams, Giants, Eagles, or Packers win or tie.
-the Texans win or tie and the Jaguars, Browns, & Chiefs tie.
-the Chiefs & Jaguars win or tie, the Steelers have strength of victory over the Chargers, and…the Browns win or tie & the Jets lose or tie; the Bills win & the Browns win or tie; the Browns win or tie & the Jets have strength of victory over the Chargers; the Texans win or tie & the Browns have strength of victory over the Chargers.
