AFC Playoff Picture: Week 10

Since tonight’s matchup between the Sneezles and Deadskins is all-NFC, we can take a look at the AFC playoff race after an extremely intriguing Week 10 in the NFL.

With the Ravens and Steelers both losing, and the Jets and Patriots both winning, along with a new team being at the top of the AFC West standings, there’s been quite a shake-up in the playoff race, and more than ever, there are contenders popping up everywhere.

The Division Leaders:

• AFC East: New York Jets (7-2)
• AFC North: Baltimore Ravens (6-3)
• AFC South: Indianapolis Colts (6-3)
• AFC West: Oakland Raiders (5-4)

The Wild Cards:

1. New England Patriots (7-2)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3)

The Contenders:

1. Kansas City Chiefs (5-4)
2. Miami Dolphins (5-4)
3. Tennessee Titans (5-4)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-4)
5. San Diego Chargers (4-5)
6. Houston Texans (4-5)

So, as you can see, it’s still a wide open race. If the Browns had beaten the Jets, this would be a moderately different picture, but Colt McCoy and Crew couldn’t pull off the overtime upset. If the season ended today, the Wild Card round matchups would be:

• Pittsburgh vs. Indianapolis
• New England vs. Oakland

Then, the #1 seeded Jets would take on the lower seed to come out of the Wild Card round (Pittsburgh, New England, or Oakland), and the Ravens would take on the higher seed to survive the round (Indianapolis, Oakland, or Pittsburgh).

A lot can change this week. Here are the three matchups on the schedule for Week 11 that feature two of the aforementioned teams (Includes division leaders, wild cards, or “contenders”).

• Houston Texans vs. New York Jets
• Oakland Raiders vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
• Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots

In addition, if the Browns can travel to Jacksonville and pull out a win against the Jags, they thrust themselves right back into the thick of the playoff race.