clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

AFC Playoff Picture with Sunday Night Football to play

The Miami Dolphins have fallen into a six way tie for the final Wildcard slot in the AFC.

By Kevin Nogle
Jim Rogash

It sucks. I know. The Miami Dolphins once again lost a game when they led at the half. They lost another game where they couldn't move the ball in the second half. They lost another game where they couldn't stop a team from running the ball. All of this happened, this time, to an NFC team, the Carolina Panthers.

And, with that loss, the Dolphins drop from seventh in the AFC Playoffs picture to tenth. Yet, they are actually still tied for that sixth, and final, playoff spot. It's ugly, it's not exactly something to be bragging about right now, but it's still true - the Dolphins are in the playoff chase.

Current AFC Playoffs:

1. Denver Broncos (9-1)*
2. New England Patriots (7-3)*
3. Indianapolis Colts (7-4)
4. Cincinnati Bengals (7-4)
5. Kansas City Chiefs (9-2)
6. Tennessee Titans (5-6)
*Pending Sunday Night Football

Currently, the AFC playoffs have the 9-1 Denver Broncos sitting on top of the conference, with the New England Patriots in second place, with a 7-3 record. Those two teams face off in tonight's Sunday Night Football matchup, with a win from the Broncos giving them a much tighter claim on the home-field advantage position, while a win from New England just muddies the water a little more.

Behind the top two, the 7-4 Indianapolis Colts have the top spot in the AFC South and the third seed in the AFC, with the Cincinnati Bengals claiming the fourth seed with their own 7-4 record and the AFC North lead.

The top Wildcard currently has the 9-2 Kansas City Chiefs, second place in the AFC West. After that, we reach the six 5-6 teams, with the Tennessee Titans moving into the top position, and the sixth seed. Then comes the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, San Diego Chargers, New York Jets, and Miami. Last week, the Jets had the sixth seed, tied only with the Dolphins at 5-5. One week, and both AFC East teams fall four positions after they both lose.

The Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns, and Buffalo Bills are all one game back of the mass tie, sitting at 4-7. The Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Houston Texans today, allowing them to move out of the AFC basement and putting the Texans into it.

We will update full playoff picture once the Broncos and Patriots game is complete.

More from The Phinsider:

Next Up In Miami Dolphins News