Divisional Drama: Who’s in and Who’s Out (AFC)

Divisional Drama: Who’s in and Who’s Out (AFC)

AFC North

Even though the Ravens ran away with this division thanks to MVP frontrunner Lamar Jackson, there is still playoff implications for the others. If you would tell me that the Steelers would lose their QB, WR, RB, AND backup QB and still be 8-5, I would call you crazy. Well, I am calling you crazy, because they are 8-5, thanks to a top defense and quality coaching by Mike Tomlin, who has my vote for Coach of the Year. Pittsburgh is in the driver’s seat with an 8-5 record, but will have a tough test this weekend, as they take on the Buffalo Bills. The team right behind them is the Cleveland Browns. Sitting at 6-7, it is not likely they get into the postseason, but if they win out and get some help from Pittsburgh and the AFC South, Baker’s bunch may find a way to sneak in. 

AFC South

The AFC South is shaping out to be a two-team race with the Colts falling to 6-7 after being 6-4. The Houston Texans have been consistently inconsistent this year. For example, they dominate New England, and the very next week lose to a young Broncos team with a quarterback playing in his second career game. Houston is very unpredictable, and they have an extremely hot team right next to them; the Tennessee Titans. Ever since the Titans moved on from Marcus Mariota and handed the keys to Ryan Tannehill, the Titans are arguably one of the best teams in the AFC. Since Week 7, Tannehill’s first start, Tennessee is 6-1, and winning in dominant fashion. While the quarterback play has been a drastic change, this team is still going to win games from their defense, and that monster in the backfield named Derrick Henry, who is second to only Nick Chubb in rushing yards this season. These two teams will meet twice out of the last three games, and the results of the head-to-head matchups will basically show the fate of who wins this division.

AFC East

A division nobody thought would be close. Even though the New England Patriots are in the lead for their division, the Buffalo Bills are breathing down their necks, only a game behind New England with a record of 9-4. Even though they play each other one more time, the Bills would have to finish a game better than New England due to tiebreakers, and the Pats play Cincinnati and Miami. Consider the AFC East crown staying in Boston, but teams should fear the Bills come playoff time.

AFC West

Besides a little teaser by the Oakland Raiders, the AFC West was a runaway for the Kansas City Chiefs. Pat Mahomes and crew are playing for a chance at a first-round bye, and they have the tiebreaker against both New England and Baltimore, so things may get interesting down the stretch. As for the rest of the division, Denver is showing some encouraging signs with Drew Lock winning his first two starts. As for Oakland and Los Angeles, a quarterback change may be on the way real soon as they are looking to get over the hump.

-By: Richie Dordas