NFL Playoff Scenarios: Breaking Down the Chances of Each AFC Playoff Hopeful

There are five teams battling for two playoff spots in the AFC with just one regular season week left to play. That's sure to create some tense moments on Sunday, as every play could end up being the difference between a postseason trip and the season ending.

The first spot up for grabs is the AFC division crown, which will either go to the Denver Broncos or the Oakland Raiders. The other opening is a wild-card slot that could go to any one of four teams, with the Cincinnati Bengals currently holding a one-game edge.

Here's a quick look at each team and their potential playoff fate once the dust settles on New Year's Day. One thing's for sure: It's a can't-miss day of games.

New York Jets

The New York Jets put themselves behind the eight ball with back-to-back losses against NFC East foes over the past few weeks. Among the remaining wild card hopeful teams, the Jets rank last, which means they will need a lot of help to sneak into the playoffs.

First and foremost, the Jets need to beat an improving Miami Dolphins squad on the road. That's far from a guarantee considering how well Miami played against the New England Patriots last week. The Jets will need Mark Sanchez to complete a couple key passes in the red zone to emerge victorious.

Beating Miami is just the beginning. They would also need the Bengals, Titans and Raiders to all falter to secure the final wild-card berth. In other words, the Jets need a miracle.

Verdict: No playoffs

Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans are probably still kicking themselves for losing to the Indianapolis Colts. Winning that game would have put them in a much better position heading into this weekend, but they can't focus on the past now because they have a tough road game against the Houston Texans to navigate.

Houston is locked into the third seed, which should help out Tennessee a little bit. The Texans won't want to enter the playoffs on a three-game losing streak, however, so they aren't going to roll over. It's important for T.J. Yates to establish some sort of rhythm before wild card weekend.

All told, the Titans are in the same boat as the Jets. There are just too many things that would need to fall perfectly for them to get in.

Verdict: No playoffs

Cincinnati Bengals

While you can't blame the Cincinnati Bengals for taking advantage of a weak schedule, it's hard to see them as contenders when the team's best win came against the Titans. That doesn't bode well for a New Year's Day clash against the Baltimore Ravens, who are fighting for a bye.

Since Cincinnati owns a one-game lead in the race, they still have a few backdoor opportunities even if they lose to Baltimore, but neither of them is worth relying on. Basically, if the Bengals want to make the playoffs, a win is needed.

Unless they are able to step up their game to a level they haven't previously shown throughout the season, the Bengals will suffer Week 17 disappointment.

Verdict: No playoffs

Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders are hoping to get superstar running back Darren McFadden back in the lineup on Sunday. His return would revitalize an offense that has struggled to find any semblance of consistency without his game-breaking skills.

Oakland has four different scenarios for making the playoffs, and all of them are within reason. The Raiders need to knock off a San Diego Chargers team that has nothing left to play for after their late rally fell short. That victory would set the wheels in motion.

If they can then get a Bengals loss against the Ravens and a Titans loss or Jets win, the Raiders would get a wild-card spot. It's a much better picture than Oakland was expecting to see a couple weeks ago.

Verdict: Wild Card

Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos' six-game winning streak seems like a distant memory after their huge losses in each of the past two weeks. Luckily for Denver, no other team has been able to take advantage of its struggles, so the Broncos still control their own destiny.

A win over the Kansas City Chiefs, who the Broncos beat 17-10 last month, would send Tim Tebow and Co. to the playoffs. Look for them to get back to basics by establishing the run, controlling the clock and playing stout defense just in the nick of time.

Even though the Broncos would have liked to enter the postseason with a little bit more of the midseason momentum on their side, they'll be glad to be a part of the 12-team dash for the Lombardi Trophy.

Verdict: AFC West Champion