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The playoff picture in the AFC is quite clear compared with the NFC, which has a variety of scenarios that could get a number of teams into the mix.
In the AFC, Houston (South), Denver (West), New England (East) and Baltimore (North) are the division champions, while Indianapolis and Cincinnati are the wild-card teams. Houston, Denver and New England are vying for the top two spots and subsequent first-round byes.
In the NFC, Atlanta is king with home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, while Green Bay is also a division champion and San Francisco and Seattle have clinched postseason berths. It gets so messy from there that Washington could lose Sunday night against Dallas and qualify for the playoffs if Chicago and Minnesota both lose.
Following is how the Associated Press breaks it down as simply as possible.
AFC
CLINCHED: Houston, AFC South; Denver, AFC West; New England, AFC East; Baltimore, AFC North; Indianapolis, No. 5 playoff spot; Cincinnati, No. 6 playoff spot.
HOUSTON (at Indianapolis)
Clinches first-round bye with:
— Win or tie, or
— New England loss or tie, or
— Denver loss
Clinches home-field advantage throughout AFC playoffs with:
— Win, or
— Tie AND Denver loss or tie, or
— New England loss or tie AND Denver loss
DENVER (vs. Kansas City)
Clinches first-round bye with:
— Win or tie, or
— New England loss or tie
Clinches home-field advantage throughout AFC playoffs with:
