Following their Week 14 bye, the Patriots are still the top team in the AFC at 9-4, but they have company in the Titans and Chiefs, who are also 9-4.
For what it’s worth, New England owns the tiebreaker because of its 7-1 conference record.
As of Monday, FiveThirtyEight gives the Patriots a 98% of making the playoffs, 80% of winning the AFC East and a 46% chance of earning a first-round bye as the No. 1 overall seed in the conference.
They will be tested Saturday night in Indianapolis, as the Colts enter the game with the best healthy running back in football (Jonathan Taylor) and have won six of their last eight games.
Here’s how things look for the rest of the conference following Week 14.
1. New England 9-4
Remaining games: at Colts, vs. Bills, vs. Jaguars, at Dolphins
2. Tennessee 9-4
Remaining games: at Steelers, vs. 49ers, vs. Dolphins, at Texans
3. Kansas City 9-4
Remaining games: at Chargers, vs. Steelers, at Bengals, at Broncos
4. Baltimore 8-5
Remaining games: vs. Packers, at Bengals, vs. Rams, vs. Steelers
5. L.A. Chargers 8-5
Remaining games: vs. Chiefs, at Texans, vs. Broncos, at Raiders
6. Indianapolis 7-6
Remaining games: vs. Patriots, at Cardinals, vs. Raiders, at Jaguars
7. Buffalo 7-6
Remaining games: vs. Panthers, at Patriots, vs. Falcons, vs. Jets
IN THE HUNT
8. Cleveland 7-6
Remaining games: vs. Raiders, at Packers, at Steelers, vs. Bengals
9. Cincinnati 7-6
Remaining games: at Broncos, vs. Ravens, vs. Chiefs, at Browns
10. Denver 7-6
Remaining games: vs. Bengals, at Raiders, at Chargers, vs. Chiefs
11. Pittsburgh 6-6-1
Remaining games: vs. Titans, at Chiefs, vs. Browns, at Ravens
12. Las Vegas 6-7
Remaining games: at Browns, vs. Broncos, at Colts, vs. Chargers
13. Miami 6-7
Remaining games: vs. Jets, at Saints, at Titans, vs. Patriots
ANALYSIS
It seems rather likely the No. 1 seed will either be the Patriots, Titans and Chiefs. From a schedule perspective, the Patriots and Titans may have a slight advantage since they both have one “easy” game with the Patriots taking on the Jaguars in Week 17 and the Titans taking on the Texans in Week 18. All of Kansas City’s opponents remain in playoff contention. … If the Bills can remain healthy, they have the easiest schedule among playoff hopefuls. Besides traveling to New England next week, it has games against the Panthers, Falcons and Jets. … When it comes to the final wild card spot, keep an eye on Miami. It is one of the hottest teams in the league at the moment and have two very winnable games coming up against the Jets and Saints.
