Bringing the AFC Playoff Picture In Focus

As the 2010 regular season comes to a close, the playoff picture comes into focus. With two weeks to go, only two teams from the AFC have clinched a playoff spot, New England and Pittsburgh. Buffalo, Cincinnati, Denver, Cleveland, Houston, and Miami have been mathematically eliminated. Here is a look from a week 16 perspective.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS - The Pats clinch the AFC East division and homefield advantage with either a NE win / tie
 or a NYJ loss / tie.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS - The Steelers clinch the AFC North division and a first-round bye with a Baltimore loss after beating the Panthers on Thursday night.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS - The Chiefs clinch the AFC West division with a KC win + SD loss / tie
or a KC tie + SD loss.



NEW YORK JETS – The Jets clinch a playoff spot by either a win / tie
or JAC loss / tie 
3) or Indy loss or tie.

BALTIMORE RAVENS - The Ravens clinch a playoff spot in a number of ways. The easiest of course, is winning their match-up against Cleveland. The other possibilities: 1) BAL win or tie
2) KC loss + JAC loss or tie
3) KC loss + IND loss or tie
4) SD loss or tie + JAC loss or tie
5) SD loss or tie + IND loss or tie.