AFC Playoff Picture 2014: Latest Outlook, Postseason Scenarios Ahead of Week 17

Several surprising outcomes in Week 16 set the stage for what promises to be a wild final slate of games in the NFL. In the AFC, the only seed officially set is at No. 1, as the New England Patriots have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Meanwhile, there is a guarantee that two teams from the North will make the postseason. Even with two berths already secured, the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers will battle for the division crown, while the Baltimore Ravens need help.

The Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs are on life support, much like the Ravens. A win would lock up a winning season for both but might not mean much if the San Diego Chargers or the teams ahead of them win on Sunday.

Before the final slate of games kick off, here's a look at the full playoff picture and breakdown of the AFC scenarios.

AFC Playoff Scenarios

Broncos clinch first-round bye with:

1. Denver win vs. Oakland OR
2. Denver tie vs. Oakland + Cincinnati loss or tie vs. Pittsburgh OR
3. Cincinnati loss OR
4. Cincinnati tie + Indianapolis win vs. Tennessee

Bengals clinch AFC North with:

1. Cincinnati win vs. Pittsburgh

Bengals clinch first-round bye with:

1. Cincinnati win + Denver loss or tie OR
2. Cincinnati tie + losses by both Denver and Indianapolis

Steelers clinch AFC North with:

1. Pittsburgh win vs. Cincinnati

Chargers clinch playoff spot with:

1. San Diego win vs. Kansas City OR
2. San Diego tie + Baltimore loss or tie vs. Cleveland

Ravens clinch playoff spot with:

1. Baltimore win + San Diego loss or tie OR
2. Baltimore tie + San Diego loss

Chiefs clinch playoff spot with:

1. Kansas City win + loss by Baltimore + loss or tie by Houston

Texans clinch playoff spot with:

1. Houston win + losses by both Baltimore and San Diego

AFC Playoff Analysis

By virtue of their miraculous come-from-behind victory against the San Francisco 49ers, the Chargers are in the driver's seat for the final wild-card spot. Even with that win, nothing is set in stone for San Diego heading into Kansas City.

The Chiefs are also looking to make the playoffs but will need more than just a victory Sunday. If KC can pull out a win over the division rivals, it would need a loss from Baltimore to secure the No. 6 seed.

Philip Rivers knows the playoffs have essentially already started heading into a tough Arrowhead environment, via the Chargers' official Twitter account:

Down in Houston, the Texans are hoping to spoil the Chiefs' bid with a win of their own. If Baltimore falls and Kansas City takes down San Diego, Houston would be the beneficiary after a two-win season a year ago.

The biggest fight outside of the No. 6 seed resides in Pittsburgh this weekend. Both the Steelers and Bengals are already in the postseason, but winning the North on Sunday would give either at least one home game in January.

With the stakes at their highest, Bengals star receiver A.J. Green should be ready to go, via Albert Breer of NFL.com:

Green suffered an arm injury, per Sports Illustrated, and did not register a single catch against the Denver Broncos on Monday night.

Rookie Jeremy Hill made up for that production with his fourth game of 140 yards rushing or more this season. ESPN Stats & Info notes how historically great his production has been for the franchise this year:

On the other side, however, stands the trio of Ben Roethlisberger, Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown. The prolific Steelers offense will be ready for the Bengals after they doubled up the division foe, 42-21, earlier this season.

In order to host a playoff game this season after missing out last year, the three B's will need another huge showing for Pittsburgh. Looking to snap a two-game losing streak to the Steelers, the Bengals might be thriving at the right time heading into January.

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