Reviewing the AFC Playoff Picture

I'm still trying to get over the Giants disappointing loss to the Eagles where a Michael Boley missed TAINT still haunts my dreams. But let's take a look at the playoff picture heading into Week 15 for the AFC and we'll do the NFC right after.

AFC:

1. Indianapolis Colts. 13-0

The Colts have homefield advantage throughout the AFC playoffs wrapped up and the only thing left to accomplish in the regular season is winning 3 more games. With Jacksonville, the Jets and Buffalo on the schedule, they should be able to do that.

2. San Diego Chargers. 10-3

It's pretty simple for San Diego. They win in Week 15, they're in and clinch the AFC West. If they win and Denver and New England loses, they get a first round bye. There's a lot of other scenarios to get in for the Bolts, but a win against Cincy at home would make it much easier. They should be the division winners at the very least. 83% of you thought they'd make the playoffs and it seems like it's just a formality at this point.

3. Cincinnati Bengals. 9-4

Another team that has it simple: win and they're the division winners. A Ravens loss (unlikely vs. the Bears) would get them the same thing. This team plays Kansas City next week so the clinch may have to wait a week. 91% of you thought they'd make the playoffs and it would take an epic collapse for them not to.

4. New England Patriots. 8-5

They can't beat a good team which may be a good thing for the Pats since they have mediocre Buffalo, Jacksonville and Houston still left on the schedule. The bad thing? Only one home game since the Pats are 7-0 at home and an abysmal 1-5 on the road (and their one "road" win was in London against Tampa Bay). This team seems like it will make the playoffs, but if it doesn't win the division, they're not winning a game since this team is bad against good teams and bad on the road. 91% of you felt they'd make the playoffs, but even after a win, their chances aren't as good as they should be.

5. Denver Broncos. 8-5

They've made life easy for themselves by getting to 8 wins, with Oakland and KC left on their schedule, they should have 10 which will be enough for a playoff spot in the AFC, though their 6-4 record in the AFC will hurt them if other teams run the table and hit the 10 win mark. 75% of you thought they'd make the playoffs and they've put themselves in good position to do so.

6. Jacksonville Jaguars. 7-6

The true colors for this team are shining through. The Jaguars have won four games by three points or less. The combined record of those four teams is 14-34. Not good. Jacksonville has Indy at home and then goes on the road to New England and Cleveland. This team is probably 8-8 at this point unless they can pull some upset wins. Only 16% of you thought they'd make the playoffs and you look correct at this point.

7. Baltimore Ravens. 7-6

Baltimore has risen from the dead and are in a great position to make the playoffs. They play Chicago at home and then go on the road to struggling Pittsburgh and Oakland. If Baltimore does not make the playoffs at this point, it would be a huge disappointment. They should run the table and end up with 10 wins, but at the least, have 9 wins and have a good shot at that last playoff spot due to a good conference record. 41% of NYaT readers voted them as a playoff team and that looks like a greater possibility now.

8. Miami Dolphins. 7-6

Miami has a good chance to sneak into the playoffs again. They go to Tennessee and then close with Houston and Pittsburgh at home. They need Ricky Williams to hold on to the ball and carry this team on his back. Can he do it? Debatable. But if he can, this team has a chance of maybe sneaking away with the division as well. 16% thought they'd make the playoffs and I think that % may increase slightly in the new poll

9. New York Jets. 7-6

The Jets keep on hanging around. If Mark Sanchez can get healthy and stay away from mistakes, they have a chance...but does anyone really see that happening? The Jets play Atlanta, at Indy and Cincy in the last game at the Meadowlands. If they can beat Atlanta this week, they might get favorable situations in their last two games against teams resting starters. I don't think Indy will let up, though. The Jets have hurt themselves going 0-2 against Miami and that may bite them come tiebreaker time. Only 8% of you thought they'd make the playoffs and the Jets just keep on hanging around and defying odds.

10. 11. 12. Pittsburgh, Tennessee, and Houston.
I'll just group them together since none of them should make the playoffs. Pittsburgh has just collapsed and have lost too many games to bad teams this season. Tennessee has too little, too late after a dreadful start but has something to build on for next season. And Houston always seems to play best when it counts least...so it's no surprise they're playing well now.

New poll is up on the right, I'm assuming the Colts, Bolts and Bengals are in so tell me who will be joining them.