AFCW - the final 5
 

Raiders 9-2 / 2-1 Div / 6-1 Conf
v Bills, @ Chiefs, @ Chargers, v Colts, @ Broncos

Chiefs 8-3 / 3-0 Div / 6-2 Conf
@ Falcons, v Raiders, v Titans, v Broncos, @ Chargers

Broncos 7-4 / 1-3 Div / 4-3 Conf
@ Jaguars, @ Titans, v Patriots, @ Chiefs, v Raiders

The Chiefs have 1 game left vs an NFC team, other than that it's all AFC for all 3 teams. Each of them has 3 of the remaining 5 within the division, which makes it critically important for each, considering the razor thin margin of error.

Denver has a bigger hole to dig out from with the divisional and overall AFC losses. Raiders and Chiefs best control their destiny to the playoffs, but at this point, either of the 3 can still take the division, although it's quite unlikely that with 5 left and trailing by 2, that Denver can get enough done to move up to the division title.

Teams 7-10 in regards to playoff positioning for the AFC are Broncos, Steelers, Bills and Titans - they're all at least 6-6 and the most likely contenders to the final WC spot.

Denver needs to maintain their 1 game lead on 3 of them and advance past the Dolphins (enter 63 yd FG reference here). Miami has @ Ravens, v Cards, @ Jets, @ Bills and v Patriots left. Dolphins narrowly beat the Bills and Jets in Miami, so losing 3 of the final 5 is not unthinkable and they could lose more than that. I think Miami's spot as the #6 overall team is very short lived.

That opens a door for the final spot.

Chiefs have the best stretch with 3 of the final 4 in KC. Three December home games is key and very important, as they are only 1 game behind OAK and the #1 overall seed.

I think that makes the Falcons a must win, again... only if the goal is to get home field and take pressure off.

Oakland might have the tougher stretch with 3 of the final 4 on the road within the division. Ouch!

Denver has no cake walk either with 3 of the next 4 on the road, with a game vs the Patriots tucked in there before ending the season vs the Raiders.

Should be a fun race. I have no visions of Denver getting more than a 5/6 seed at this point. Just advance... that's the goal.

Chiefs and Raiders will battle for the West and both will begrudingly be cheering for Denver in a few weeks when New England visits...

I think Oakland holds on to the division, but it wouldn't shock me to see KC take it... the schedule is set up pretty well for that to happen at this point.

It's fun to see the West perform so well overall this year. Enjoy.

Needing Denver to beat NE is about the worst thing that can happen from a Chiefs fan view. How can you cheer for either? :)

And, if I had to wager now...

Raiders defeat the Bills, Chargers and Colts - finish 12-4

Chiefs defeat the Raiders, Broncos and Chargers - finish 11-5

Broncos defeat the Jaguars, Patriots and Raiders - finish 10-6

I think the Titans will do enough to knock the Texans out of the division slot and advance.

I just have this feeling that the Chargers are going to bite somebody in the ass towards the end. I just hope it's the Raiders.

It'd be a shame to finish 6-0 in the best division in football and still not win it.

Bucs, @ Panthers, Raiders, @ Browns, Chiefs

Final game could be interesting. Took OT for KC to win to open the season, let's see how it closes with these 2 teams.

I think the Bengals did that a few years back.

Went 6-0 in a division with the Steelers and the Ravens, no less, and missed the playoffs.

My gut tells me:

Raiders (9-2)
W vs. Bills
L @ Chiefs
W @ Chargers
W vs. Colts
L @ Broncos

Oakland ends up 12-4

Chiefs (8-3)
L @ Falcons
W vs. Raiders
W vs. Titans
L vs. Broncos
W vs. Chargers

Chiefs end up 11-5

Broncos (7-4)
W @ Jaguars
W @ Titans
W vs. Patriots
W @ Chiefs
W v Raiders

Broncos end up 12-4

I think all three teams make it. I don't know who gets the tie-breaker between the Broncos and the Raiders.

Too many of these games are toss-ups. I think the Broncos vs. Chiefs game is completely 50/50.

2010 Raiders

Yeah... I'd like to revise this, now that I know Denver is benching their best quarterback on the roster.

Raiders (9-2)
W vs. Bills
L @ Chiefs
W @ Chargers
W vs. Colts
W @ Broncos

Oakland ends up 13-3

Chiefs (8-3)
L @ Falcons
W vs. Raiders
W vs. Titans
W vs. Broncos
W vs. Chargers

Chiefs end up 12-4

Broncos (7-4)
W @ Jaguars
W @ Titans
W vs. Patriots
L @ Chiefs
L v Raiders

Broncos end up 10-6

I still think all three make it to the playoffs, though.

The Chargers are a good team. They dug a hole by blowing leads early in the season. Wouldn't be surprised to see them win 3-4 of remaining games.

The Chargers are going to be a very tough team... in 2017.

In 2016, half their starters are injured.

Well, they're not 'benching" Trevor... he's injured. I really think the Patriots are vulnerable now without Gronk, especially against a top defense, which is why I believe Denver can beat them in Denver.

I figured you were drunk when you pegged Denver with 12 wins... the game @ KC will be tough to win. Denver's defense did enough to win last week, they won most of the matchups and stat comparisons, but they fell short late when it mattered. At the very least, they should have been able to prevent the 2 point conversion. Oh well, shit happens.

I think the Titans and Chiefs games will be tough to win, more than the other 3.... doesn't matter who is playing QB.

They have 5 games left and I think the Chargers will do what they've been doing quite honestly. They do have a nice young team and when healthy, should challenge anyone - they'll be a force in 2017.

But, I don't see them winning more than maybe 2 games the rest of the way.

Bucs, @ Panthers, Raiders, @ Browns, Chiefs

If they're going to win 3, those are the 3.. but the Bucs can beat them and @ Carolina will be tough.

Flip a coin MHM.


I don't have a clue.