AFC playoff picture: How Broncos win over Commanders changes potential wild-card matchups originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
With Week 13 coming to a close, the AFC is as confusing as ever.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNormally a conference run by the best quarterbacks, the AFC has had a different look in 2025. Teams like the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos lead the way, while the Kansas City Chiefs are on the outside looking in.
All-in-all, the AFC will have some very interesting matchups in the playoffs, as the conference is wide open this year. Every team that makes the playoffs will feel like they can make a run to win it all.
Through Sunday night, the Broncos have won nine-straight games, while the Patriots take their nine-game winning streak into Monday night. Let's take a look at the updated AFC playoff picture.
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AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAFC playoff picture
Here's a look at the projected playoff picture in the AFC through Week 13:
No.1. Denver Broncos (10-2)
No 2. New England Patriots (10-2)
No. 3. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4)
No. 4. Baltimore Ravens (6-6)
No. 5. Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)
No. 6. Indianapolis Colts (8-4)
No. 7. Buffalo Bills (8-4)
The Patriots are the only team who hasn't played yet this week, as they face the New York Giants on Monday night.
Additionally, here are the teams just outside of the playoff picture in the AFC:
Houston Texans (7-5)
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6)
Kansas City Chiefs (6-6)
MORE: An updated look at the NFL playoff picture
Projected AFC playoff matchups
Based on the current AFC playoff picture, this is how the bracket would look in the first round:
Bye: No. 1. Denver Broncos
No. 2. New England Patriots vs. No. 7. Buffalo Bills
No. 3. Jacksonville Jaguars vs. No. 6. Indianapolis Colts
No. 4. Baltimore Ravens vs. No. 5. Los Angeles Chargers
This set of matchups features three interesting games on the AFC side. With the Broncos owning a temporary tiebreaker over the Patriots, New England would host the Buffalo Bills after defeating them in the AFC East race. Additionally, the Jaguars and Colts would battle after fighting for the AFC South title, while John Harbaugh and Jim Harbaugh would face off against each other.
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