The chaotic AFC Playoff picture features a competitive Wild Card race and genuine pressure on the No. 1-seeded New England Patriots.

With a win over the Raiders, the Broncos can quietly clinch a key tiebreaker over the Patriots that could decide AFC seeding.

They didn't have Joe Burrow for nine games after he suffered a grade 3 turf toe injury that required surgery. The Bengals went 1-8 without Burrow, but they still have a chance at making the playoffs for the first time since 2022. Would the 28-year-old have signed up for this scenario when he underwent surgery on Sept. 19?

The Athletic's NFL playoff simulator finds betting value in three teams' futures odds. Read to see where the value lies.

Nate Tice & Charles McDonald join forces to preview Week 14 of NFL action, featuring huge playoff implications.

That's especially the case in the AFC, where there are two teams whose records stand out above the rest but who do not necessarily fit the traditional look of heavy favorites. Behind those teams (the Patriots and Broncos) is a group of eight squads that are fighting for five playoff spots -- two division titles and three wild cards.

After starting the year with three straight divisional wins, the Chargers have gone 5-4 since, but still remain in a favorable spot as the regular season dwindles down. The Bolts are coming off of a much-needed 31-14 win over the division rival Las Vegas Raiders, completing the sweep.

The Texans' odds of making the playoffs have increased greatly in recent weeks. The road to get there may not be as difficult as you'd think.