NFL standings, Week 15: Chiefs one win away from clinching AFC

With Week 15 coming to an end, the Chiefs are just one win away from clinching the AFC.

Now through 15 weeks of the season, the Kansas City Chiefs are in a position to clinch the AFC and secure the a playoff bye with a win. They could also achieve this if the Pittsburgh Steelers or Buffalo Bills lose a game.

This week, the Chiefs traveled to New Orleans to take on the New Orleans Saints and came away with another close win. The Chiefs have now won their last six games by less than a touchdown. With quarterback Drew Brees back under center for the Saints, the game had shaped up to be the matchup people had anticipated since the beginning of the season.

However, Brees started slowly, and the Chiefs were able to jump out to a 14-0 lead. The Saints came back in the second quarter to set up a back and forth game that the Chiefs ultimately won 32-29.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes continued his quest towards his second NFL MVP award by completing 26 of 47 passes for 254 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also rushed 7 times for 37 yards. Tight end Travis Kelce continues to be great as he caught 8 passes for 68 yards and 1 touchdown.

Though the Chiefs won, the team faced a significant loss with rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire went down with a high ankle sprain late in the game. They are hoping for Edwards-Helaire to be able to come back for the playoffs.

The Chiefs are now preparing to take on the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16 as they attempt to wrap up the conference and secure a first round bye in the playoffs.

The current playoff picture for the AFC looks like this:

1. Kansas City Chiefs 13-1-0
2. Buffalo Bills 11-3-0
3. Pittsburgh Steelers 11-3-0
4. Tennessee Titans 10-4-0
5. Cleveland Browns 10-4-0
6. Indianapolis Colts 10-4-0
7. Miami Dolphins 9-5-0

Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens are close behind the Dolphins hoping for a slip up as they hold a 9-5 record and hope to secure a playoff spot. The Las Vegas Raiders, who are on another two game slide are fighting against elimination this week as they take on the Dolphins.

The playoff picture for the NFC looks like this:

1. Green Bay Packers 11-3-0
2. New Orleans Saints 10-4-0
3. Seattle Seahawks 10-4-0
4. Washington Football Team 6-8-0
5. Los Angeles Rams 9-5-0
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-5-0
7. Arizona Cardinals 8-6-0

The Chicago Bears are sitting at a 7-7 record just behind the Cardinals as they hope to make the playoffs. The Minnesota Vikings are on the verge of elimination this week, as they sit at a 6-8 record.

Here’s a look at the full NFL standings:

x – denotes teams that have clinched a playoff berth
z – denotes teams that have clinched their division

AFC East

1. Buffalo Bills 11-3-0 (z)
2. Miami Dolphins 9-5-0
3. New England Patriots 6-8-0
4. New York Jets 1-13-0

AFC West

1. Kansas City Chiefs 13-1-0 (z)
2. Las Vegas Raiders 7-7-0
3. Denver Broncos 5-9-0
4. Los Angeles Chargers 5-9-0

AFC North

1. Pittsburgh Steelers 11-3-0 (x)
2. Cleveland Browns 10-4-0
3. Baltimore Ravens 9-5-0
4. Cincinnati Bengals 3-10-1

AFC South

1. Tennessee Titans 10-4-0
2. Indianapolis Colts 10-4-0
3. Houston Texans 4-10-0
4. Jacksonville Jaguars 1-13-0

NFC East

1. Washington Football Team 6-8-0
2. Dallas Cowboys 5-9-0
3. New York Giants 5-9-0
4. Philadelphia Eagles 4-9-1

NFC West

1. Seattle Seahawks 10-4-0 (x)
2. Los Angeles Rams 9-5-0
3. Arizona Cardinals 8-6-0
4. San Francisco 49ers 5-9-0

NFC North

1. Green Bay Packers 11-3-0 (z)
2. Chicago Bears 7-7-0
3. Minnesota Vikings 6-8-0
4. Detroit Lions 5-9-0

NFC South

1. New Orleans Saints 10-4-0 (x)
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-5-0
3. Atlanta Falcons 4-10-0
4. Carolina Panthers 4-10-0