With just two weeks left in the 2022 NFL regular season, and with five of the seven spots decided in the AFC playoff photo, the last two games of each competitor’s schedule are of enormous importance. Three teams are vying for the No. 1 seed and the first-round and home-court advantage it carries. Two teams will face off in Week 18 for a division title. And no less than seven teams are on the last wildcard spot in the conference.
With so much to sort out, the ensuing chaos can be boiled down to three big questions yet to be answered.
Who will be the No. 1 seed?
We know that the Buffalo Tickets (12-3), the Kansas City Chiefs (12-3), and the winner of AFC North — either the Cincinnati Bengals (11-4) or the Baltimore Ravens (10-5) – will be the top three seeds, in some order. Baltimore can’t be number one. 1 seed, however, as they can’t pass Buffalo in the standings – but Cincinnati can still reach that height.
The Bills currently hold the top seed thanks to a one-on-one win over the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 6. Cincinnati, one game behind Buffalo and Kansas City, hosts the Bills on Monday night football this week. The Bengals also have a head-to-head win over the Chiefs this season.
Buffalo takes the top seed if they win, or if they win and Kansas City loses in Week 17. Cincinnati takes the top seed with two wins and one loss to Kansas City to close the season. Kansas City takes the top seed in all other scenarios.
Who will win the final wild card?
The AFC North team that doesn’t win the division – Cincinnati or Baltimore – has one spot sewn up, and the second belongs to the Los Angeles Chargers (9-6), who won their victory over Sunday night football in week 16.
That leaves five teams in contention for the final wildcard spot: the Miami Dolphins (8-7), the New England Patriots (7-8), the New York Jets (7-8), the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-8), and the Las Vegas Raiders (6-9).
Only the Dolphins have the ability to clinch that final spot in Week 17; they can do it with a road win over the Patriots, plus a Jets loss to Seattle. That may be easier said than done, however, with starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa back in concussion protocol to start the week.
- Dolphins: 74.9% (FO), 57% (NYT), 68% (538)
- Patriots: 7.9% (FO), 21% (NYT), 17% (538)
- Jets: 14.6% (FO), 17% (NYT), 10% (538)
- Steelers: 1.5% (FO), less than 1% (NYT), 2% (538)
- Raiders: 0.0% (FO), less than 1% (NYT), 0.7% (538)
Who will win the AFC Sud?
It will either be the Jacksonville Jaguars or the Tennessee Titans, regardless of what happens in Week 17. Both teams are 7-8 on aggregate, but head in opposite directions; Jacksonville has won three straight games, while Tennessee has lost its last five. Jacksonville has a breakout star at quarterback in Trevor Lawrence, while Tennessee likely lost its own starter, Ryan Tannehill, to an ankle injury.
The Titans will travel to Duval County, Florida to take on the Jaguars in Week 18. This game will decide the AFC South winner and, by extension, the No. 1. 4 seed in the AFC playoff image. This game is a very good competitor to be flexed Sunday night football next week as the last game of the regular season, with obviously big playoff implications.
- Jaguar: 73.4% (FO), 53% (NYT), 61% (538)
- Titans: 26.6% (FO), 47% (NYT), 39% (538)
Photo from AFC Playoffs Week 17
| Rank | Team | REC | div | AGAINST | DB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Team | REC | div | AGAINST | DB | STRK |
| 1 | z—Buffalo Bills | 12-3 | 3-2 | 8-2 | +157 | W6 |
| 2 | z — Kansas City Chiefs | 12-3 | 4-0 | 7-3 | +106 | W3 |
| 3 | x—Cincinnati Bengals | 11-4 | 2-3 | 7-3 | +85 | W7 |
| 4 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 7-8 | 2-2 | 6-4 | +22 | W3 |
| 5 | x — Baltimore Crows | 10-5 | 3-1 | 6-4 | +49 | W1 |
| 6 | x—Los Angeles Chargers | 9-6 | 2-3 | 7-4 | -11 | W3 |
| 7 | Miami Dolphins | 8-7 | 2-2 | 6-4 | -5 | L4 |
| 8 | New England Patriots | 7-8 | 2-2 | 5-5 | +27 | L2 |
| 9 | New York Jets | 7-8 | 2-3 | 5-6 | +2 | L4 |
| ten | Tennessee Titans | 7-8 | 3-2 | 5-6 | -43 | L5 |
| 11 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 7-8 | 1-3 | 3-7 | -55 | W2 |
| 1 2 | Las Vegas Raiders | 6-9 | 3-2 | 5-6 | -2 | L1 |
0 Comments