With just three weeks remaining in the 2023 NFL regular season, the playoff race is really heating up. In the AFC, things couldn’t be more tight as just one team from the conference has secured a postseason berth, while five teams currently sit at 8-6 — including three from the AFC South.
Could the South field three playoff teams? What about the competitive AFC North with all their backup quarterbacks? Let’s take a look at the AFC playoff picture. Below, we will rank the nine teams still in playoff contention that are currently battling for wild-card spots. (For a breakdown on the NFC’s wild-card race, click here.)
Playoff simulation percentages via SportsLine
Division leaders
- Baltimore Ravens (AFC North, 11-3)
- Miami Dolphins (AFC East, 10-4)
- Kansas City Chiefs (AFC West, 9-5)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (AFC South, 8-6)
Eliminated
Wild-card contenders
9. Los Angeles Chargers (5-9)
The Chargers were blown out by the rival Las Vegas Raiders in prime time, 63-21, which led to the firing of head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco. Those 63 points were the most allowed in Chargers franchise history.
Remaining schedule: vs. Bills, at Broncos, vs. Chiefs
Playoff chances: 0.0%
8. Las Vegas Raiders (6-8)
Interim head coach Antonio Pierce has this Raiders team playing hard, and they decimated a Chargers team that was ready to lie down last week with 63 points scored — including 42 in the first half. Aidan O’Connell threw for 248 yards and four touchdowns, while the Raiders defense scored twice. Obviously that Thursday night explosion is not an accurate representation of what the Raiders are, but this is a team capable of creating problems for the final three squads that play them.
Remaining schedule: at Chiefs, at Colts, vs. Broncos
Playoff chances: 1.5%
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7)
The Steelers have lost three straight games after starting 7-4, and their playoff chances dropped from 80% to under 5% during this losing streak. Pittsburgh has scored 18 or fewer points in five straight games, and recorded a season-low 216 yards of total offense in the 17-point loss to Indianapolis on Saturday. On the other side, the Steelers defense allowed Trey Sermon of all people to explode with 88 rushing yards, while Gardner Minshew threw three touchdowns.
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