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Standings
|
Team |
Seed |
Record |
AFC |
|
DEN-y |
1 |
11-2 |
7-2 |
|
NE |
2 |
10-3 |
7-2 |
|
CIN |
3 |
9-4 |
7-3 |
|
IND-x |
4 |
8-5 |
6-3 |
|
KC |
5 |
10-3 |
6-3 |
|
BAL |
6 |
7-6 |
6-4 |
y- clinched playoff berth
x- clinched division
Clinching Scenarios for week 15
Denver Broncos
It has been one hell of a record setting ride for our Broncos hasn't it? After their 5th victory in 6 games, the Broncos are in firm control of their playoff destiny. They have already clinched a playoff berth. The Broncos can clinch a 1st round Bye in week 15 with a win, a Chiefs loss, and a Bengals loss.
Magic Number to Clinch AFC West: 2 (any combination of wins and Chiefs losses)
Magic Number to Clinch #1 seed: 3 (any combination of wins and/or Patriots losses that add up to 3)
New England Patriots
Pats fans everywhere were ready to jump off a ledge when TE Rob Gronkowski suffered what is most likely a season ending injury:
With an assist from the NFL's inconsistent enforcement of pass interference, the Patriots pulled off yet another improbable come from behind victory and remain in prime position to earn a playoff bye. Belichick and co. can clinch the AFC East with a win this Sunday against the Dolphins.
Magic Number to clinch playoff berth: 1
Magic Number to clinch division: 1 (win or Dolphins loss)
Magic Number to clinch #2 seed: 3 (any combination of wins and/or Bengals losses that add up to 3)
Magic Number to clinch #1 seed: 4 (any combination of wins or Broncos losses that add up to 4)
Cincinnati Bengals
Took firm control of the #3 seed with a dominating victory over Indianapolis. They are still in play for a first round bye due to their head to head tiebreaker over the Patriots and have to be most heartbroken by the events in Foxboro yesterday. Cincinnati can clinch a playoff berth with a win and a Miami loss next week.
Magic Number to clinch division: 2 (any combination of wins and/or Ravens losses that add up to 2)
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have already clinched their division by virtue of the AFC South being terrible. They will either be the #3 seed or the #4 seed. Though they can leapfrog into the #3 position, it is a complicated scenario that involves multiple teams.
They probably have the least to play for ending the season as they can finish no lower than #4.
Kansas City Chiefs
Our AFC West foes can clinch a playoff berth next week with a victory in Oakland OR with losses by both Baltimore and Miami.
Magic Number to clinch AFC West: 5 (two wins and three Broncos losses OR three wins and two Broncos losses)
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens cannot clinch a playoff berth next week.