NFL Playoff Picture: Where Patriots Finished In AFC After Week 18 Win
The Patriots did their part, but unfortunately for New England, the Broncos didn’t slip up.
With that, the Patriots claimed the second seed in the AFC playoff picture. New England will host the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC Wild Card Round at Gillette Stadium next weekend.
Denver, which held a 19-3 lead with less than two minutes remaining, earned the No. 1 overall seed and home field advantage.
Here’s a look at the AFC playoff picture ahead of a pivotal AFC North matchup on Sunday night:
1. Denver Broncos (14-3, AFC West champion)
2. New England Patriots (14-3, AFC East champion)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4, AFC South champion)
4. Pittsburgh Steelers or Baltimore Ravens (AFC North champion)
5. Houston Texans (12-5)
6. Buffalo Bills (12-5)
7. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)
The winner of the Steelers-Ravens matchup on Sunday night will claim the AFC North, a playoff berth and ultimately a first-round home game.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen started but played just one snap in Buffalo’s blowout win against the Jets. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert did not play against the Broncos, given Herbert has been dealing with a thumb injury and LA already earned a wild-card spot.
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And here’s a look at the NFC playoff standings after a few down-to-the-wire thrillers:
1. Seattle Seahawks (NFC West champion, 14-3)
2. Chicago Bears (NFC North champion, 11-6)
3. Philadelphia Eagles (NFC East champion, 11-6)
4. Carolina Panthers (NFC South champion, 8-9)
5. Los Angeles Rams (12-5)
6. San Francisco 49ers (12-5)
7. Green Bay Packers (9-7-1)