AFC playoff picture, Week 12: Chiefs hold firm, Broncos plummet

The AFC playoff picture is all kinds of crazy, with the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders rolling, and the Denver Broncos faltering.

After 12 weeks, we have one of the more insane playoff pictures in recent memory. The AFC is a beautiful circus, with all kinds of scenarios setting themselves up in December.

Let’s take a look at how things stand with December football approaching…

1. Oakland Raiders (9-2)
2. New England Patriots (9-2)
3. Baltimore Ravens (6-5)
4. Houston Texans (6-5)
5. Kansas City Chiefs (8-3)
6. Miami Dolphins (7-4)
———-
7. Denver Broncos (7-4)
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5)
9. Buffalo Bills (6-5)

So, let’s get to the crux of this. If the postseason began today, the Broncos would miss the postseason. Eat your heart out, Denver.

The Chiefs are the fifth seed but control their own destiny. If Kansas City beats the Raiders in Week 14 and doesn’t beat itself down the stretch, there is a very good chance it ends up with a bye and the second seed (Kansas City will lose the tiebreaker to the Patriots).

The North and South divisions are a joke. Baltimore is leading the Steelers by way of a head-to-head tiebreaker, while the Texans are leading be a half-game over the Tennessee Titans. The Titans will be visiting Arrowhead Stadium in Week 15.