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NFL Playoff Scenarios Have Patriots As No. 1 Seed, Chiefs A Chance At AFC West Title

The AFC playoff scenarios are making things interesting in three of the four divisions, especially in the AFC West. Even the 7-7 Oakland Raiders have a shot at the playoffs. They'll need a miracle, but it could happen.

The NFL playoff picture is entering its final two weeks of the season, and only two playoff spots in the AFC have been secured. The New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers are on paths to win the AFC East and the AFC North, respectively. Here's a look at how all four divisions are shaping up.

AFC East

New England Patriots - At 12-2, the Patriots currently hold the top spot in the East and have two division games left on the schedule: Buffalo and Miami. It'll be hard for the Patriots to falter over the last two weeks of the season. They'll be the No. 1 seed and receive a first-round bye.

New York Jets - The Jets currently hold the second wild card spot with a 10-4 record and still have a chance at winning the AFC East. However, one win by the Patriots ends any possibility of that happening.

AFC North

Pittsburgh Steelers - The Steelers (10-4) have already clinched a playoff berth and currently hold the divisional tiebreaker over the Ravens (they split their head-to-head series so the second tie breaker is necessary).

Baltimore Ravens - The Ravens hold the top wild card spot because of their victory over the second wild card team, the New York Jets.

AFC South

Indianapolis Colts - The Colts moved to 8-6 on Sunday, defeating the then-AFC South leading Jaguars, and into the AFC South lead. Indianapolis and Jacksonville split the season series and currently have the same record in the division. The tiebreaker then goes to record in games played against teams in common, which gives Indy the advantage.

Jacksonville Jaguars - The Jaguars are playing for the AFC South title, and with games against the Redskins and the Texans a 10-win season is possible. However, Indianapolis would need to collapse for the Jags to take the AFC South.

AFC West

Kansas City Chiefs - The Chiefs (9-5) hold a one-game lead over the San Diego Chargers and a two-game lead over the Oakland Raider. They have games against Tennessee and Oakland to close out the season. Winning both games gives the Chiefs the easiest route to the AFC West title.

San Diego Chargers - The Chargers (8-6) hold a number of tiebreakers over the Chiefs should the teams finish with the same record. Games against Cincinnati and Denver give the Chargers a good chance at making a run for the division title--if Kansas City loses a game.

Oakland Raiders - The Raiders' (7-7) only chance of making the playoffs would be to win the AFC West. It will be hard. If the Chiefs win on Sunday, the Raiders are out since they can't reach 10 wins. Should the Chiefs lose, the Raiders' showdown with them on the last week of the season will be a pivotal match-up. However, this scenario would also need the Chargers to lose one of their two remaining games. It's possible, however unlikely, that the AFC West could finish in a three-way tie at 9-7. The Raiders would advance to the playoffs, having won their season series against all the AFC West teams.