NFL Playoff Picture: Sorting out the Crowded AFC Wild-Card Picture

It's Week 17 in the NFL, but the last wild-card spot in the AFC is far from decided. There are still a bunch of different ways it could go, so here's my attempt to clear everything up. 

Cincinnati Bengals (9-6)

The Bengals control their own destiny. If they win on Sunday, they are in the playoffs as the second wild-card team.

Unfortunately for Cincy, they have a matchup with Baltimore so the playoffs are far from a sure thing. It's a home game for the Bengals and the Ravens have struggled on the road, but Baltimore is still going for the overall No. 1 seed. It should be a hard-fought game as both teams still have something to play for.

New York Jets (8-7)

The Jets need a lot of help. 

They need to win, and they need the Bengals, Raiders and Titans all to lose. Actually, if the Raiders win and the Broncos also lose, that would put the Jets in as well. 

At Miami is a winnable game, but to get all that help would be a minor miracle. 

Tennessee Titans (8-7)

Because the Titans own the tiebreaker over the New York Jets, they need to win while Cincy needs to lose, New York needs to win and Oakland needs to lose.

Again, just like with New York, that situation also holds true if the Raiders win and the Broncos lose instead. 

Furthermore, if Tennessee wins, Cincy and the Jets lose, and Oakland and Denver both win, the Titans make it in. 

Phew.

Tennessee is at Houston, so it's certainly not a gimme game, but the Texans don't have anything to play for and could pack it in to rest for the playoffs.  

Oakland Raiders (8-7)

If the Raiders win and the Broncos lose, Oakland doesn't need to worry about the wild card. They'll win the AFC West.

The Broncos are reeling, so they could certainly slip up at home against Kansas City while Oakland should take care of San Diego at home. 

To get into the wild card, however, Oakland needs to win while Cincy and Tennessee need to lose. Or, if Cincy loses and New York wins, that works for Oakland, too.