Ten of the 12 playoff spots are set — five of six in each conference.
In the AFC, the San Diego Chargers are in if they beat the Chiefs in Kansas City. It won’t be easy but the Chargers can’t waste their near-miracle comeback in San Francisco.
Speaking of waste, the NFC South still has to decide its champion. Carolina plays at Atlanta on Sunday with the non-loser hosting a first-round playoff game.
The Broncos? They’ve got problems in all three phases. Their disappointing did not go unpunished in this week’s power rankings.
AFC
1. New England Patriots (12-3)
Tom Brady only threw for 182 yards with a late-game pick in a 17-16 win against the lowly Jets and nobody asks, “Whatss wrong with Tom Brady?”
Last week: 1
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5)
They clinched a playoff spot with a tough home win against the Chiefs. They can now win the AFC North by defeating the Bengals in Pittsburgh on Sunday night.
Last week: 5
3. Cincinnati Bengals (10-4-1)
Dre Kirkpatrick, Adam Jones, Reggie Nelson — all first-round draft picks — combined for four picks of Peyton Manning. Jeremy Hill (1,024 rushing yards) is pushing LSU teammate Odell Beckham Jr. (1,120 receiving yards) for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Last week: 4
4. Denver Broncos (11-4)
They’re only 4-4 on the road, and they may have to play one at home and one at Foxborough in the playoffs. Manning has 12 interceptions in the last eight games. He had 10 interceptions in 2013 and 11 in 2012.
Last week: 2
5. San Diego Chargers (9-6)
A remarkable comeback by Philip Rivers from a 21-0 deficit to stun the 49ers. Eddie Royal made the fourth-down catch of the season.
Last week: N/R
6. Indianapolis Colts (10-5)
A pathetic showing in Dallas. Indy’s weak defense and weak running game is not playoff-caliber.
Last week: 3
7. Houston Texans (8-7)
The J.J. Watt-led defense made Ravens QB Joe Flacco look awful, forcing him into 21-of-50 passing for 195 yards and three picks.
Last week: N/R
8. Baltimore Ravens (9-6)
When you can’t beat Case Keenum — who was signed off the street to start — with the playoffs at stake, you don’t deserve to play in the tournament.
Last week: 6
**Fell out of the top 8: Buffalo Bills (7), Kansas City Chiefs (8)
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NFC
1. Seattle Seahawks (11-4)
Ferocious defense, just enough Russell Wilson and an unfunny Marshawn Lynch puts this team in position to become the first repeat Super Bowl champ since the 2004 Patriots.
Last week: 1
2. Dallas Cowboys (11-4)
Dez Bryant has to be the most unstoppable receiver not named Odell Beckham Jr. He’s the best player on a team that also has the best running back (DeMarco Murray), the best offensive line and a top-eight QB (Tony Romo).
Last week: 2
3. Green Bay Packers (11-4)
Aaron Rodgers’ offense scored just 13 and 20 points the past two road games at Buffalo and Tampa Bay. But Green Bay plays the Lions for the NFC North title at Lambeau Field in the season finale.
Last week: 3
4. Detroit Lions (11-4)
Any team that was trailing in the fourth quarter to the Jimmy Clausen-Bears with the playoffs at stake doesn’t deserve to be taken seriously in the playoffs. But they do have the NFL’s best defense east of Seattle.
Last week: 4
5. Arizona Cardinals (11-4)
Their blitzing defense is vulnerable to the big play. But what can they do when they have Ryan Lindley at QB? Go from No. 1 all year to playing a first-round playoff game on the road.
Last week: 5
6. Philadelphia Eagles (9-6)
An utter collapse after getting fat on Thanksgiving in Dallas. When you lose to a 3-11 Washington team with the playoffs at stake, you don’t deserve to play in the tournament.
Last week: 6
7. Carolina Panthers (6-8-1)
Give them credit. They went 1-8-1 after a 2-0 start, but they have won three in a row and play at Atlanta on Sunday with the winner taking the NFC South title and hosting a first-round playoff game.
Last week: 8
8. New York Giants (6-9)
Tom Coughlin won’t let the ship sink. They won three in a row, thanks to spectacular rookie Beckham Jr., who has 31 catches, 421 yards and six TDs in the last three games.
Last week: N/R
**Fell out the top 8: New Orleans Saints (7)
