AFC playoff picture: Chiefs’ division title streak coming to a close after Week 11 loss

Fans have gotten used to the same teams dominating the AFC in recent years. Obviously, the Kansas City Chiefs established a dynasty by going to five out of six Super Bowls in a row. Their greatest competition in recent years has been the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills. It now seems unlikely that any of those teams will even win their respective divisions.

Instead, dominant forces from a decade ago, like the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots, are back to their winning ways. It has all led to unfamiliar territory when it comes to the AFC playoff picture. So, how do the standings in the AFC stack up after Week 11?

AFC standings

1. Denver Broncos, 9-2, AFC West
2. New England Patriots, 9-2, AFC East
3. Indianapolis Colts, 8-2, AFC South
4. Pittsburgh Steelers, 6-4, AFC North
5. Buffalo Bills, 7-3, AFC East
6. Los Angeles Chargers, 7-4, AFC West
7. Jacksonville Jaguars, 6-4, AFC South
8. Houston Texans, 5-5, AFC South
9. Kansas City Chiefs, 5-5, AFC West
10. Baltimore Ravens, 5-5, AFC North
11. Miami Dolphins, 4-7, AFC East
12. Cincinnati Bengals, 3-7, AFC North
13. Las Vegas Raiders, 2-8, AFC West
14. New York Jets, 2-8, AFC East
15. Cleveland Browns, 2-8, AFC North
16. Tennessee Titans, 1-9, AFC South

AFC Division leaders

The Chiefs have long run the AFC West, but that changed when the Broncos beat them in Week 11. Denver has arguably the best defense in the NFL, which is fueled by their elite pass rush. The team is currently on pace to break the single-season sack record. While streaky offensively overall, Denver also thrives on offense in late-game situations.

The Patriots invested more money in free agents than any other team in the offseason. They’ve reaped the reward, as New England also has nine wins. It is their premier draft pick, Drake Maye, who really leads this team, though. The second-year quarterback is having an MVP-caliber season.

Headlined by Jonathan Taylor, the Indianapolis Colts lead the NFL in yards per game (396.9). Indianapolis is all-in on a championship push, evidenced by the fact that they made the biggest trade deadline move this year when they sent two first-round picks for Sauce Gardner.

The worst division in the AFC this year is the AFC North, a division that has historically been pretty good. Aaron Rodgers fractured his non-throwing wrist during Week 11. It won’t require surgery, but it is far from ideal, considering Rodgers is 41 years old.

AFC playoff Wild Card teams

The Bills are led by Josh Allen. The reigning MVP is leading one of the best offenses in the NFL. The Bills are perhaps the most likely Wild Card team to surpass the division leader ahead of them in the standings. The Los Angeles Chargers started the season off hot, but injuries have gotten the best of them, and it will take a lot to stay in a Wild Card spot with a lot of talent...