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AFC Playoff Picture Update: Tennessee Titans Fall to 5th Seed

By Matias Wodner

CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 10: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers hands off to running back Melvin Gordon #28 in the third quarter against the Washington Redskins after their game on December 10, 2017 at StubHub Center in Carson, California. The Chargers won 30-16. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 10: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers hands off to running back Melvin Gordon #28 in the third quarter against the Washington Redskins after their game on December 10, 2017 at StubHub Center in Carson, California. The Chargers won 30-16. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /
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The Tennessee Titans loss to the Arizona Cardinals knocked the Two-Tone Blue down two seed spots in the AFC Playoff Picture.

Last Sunday was a dreadful day. The Tennessee Titans lost a game they should have won, the Jacksonville Jaguars won a game they should have lost and the Titans fell down two seeds in the AFC Playoff Picture. The good news is the Titans still control their own destiny. If they win their final three games, they win the division and get a top-three seed. Lose one or two and things begin to get a bit tricky.

Here is how the AFC Playoff Picture is currently shaping up.

No. 1 Seed and Bye: Pittsburgh Steelers (11-2)
No. 2 Seed and Bye: New England Patriots (10-3)
No. 3 Seed: Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4)
No. 4 Seed: Kansas City Chiefs (7-6)
No. 5 Seed: Tennessee Titans (8-5)
No. 6 Seed: Buffalo Bills (7-6)

In the Hunt: Baltimore Ravens (7-6), Los Angeles Chargers (7-6), Oakland Raiders (6-7), Miami Dolphins (6-7)

There is no seed that is set in stone, and that’s pretty awesome. What that means is every team will be playing for something through these next two weeks, and possibly through Week 17 as well.

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There are two huge AFC games looming this weekend. The Chargers take on the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday night, and then the Patriots face the Steelers at Heinz Field. If the Chargers win that game, they leapfrog the Chiefs for the division lead. If the Patriots lose their game and the Jaguars win theirs, the Patriots would fall down to the third seed.

The murkiest seed is the final playoff spot, which is currently occupied by the Bills, who made one of the worst season quarterback switches of all time, went back to their original quarterback and still hold on to a playoff position. But they have to play the Dolphins twice and the Patriots once. The Ravens, on the other hand, have to play the measly Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals.

The sleeping giant in all of this is the Chargers, who have looked like a top-five NFL teams at times this season. Their defense is in prime form, and so is their veteran gunslinger, Philip Rivers.

As for the Titans, it’s very simple: Win your remaining three games and you’re assured a spot. Winning two of the final three gives you a very solid chance. Winning just one makes things a bit tough. Winning none makes it unlikely the Titans break their playoff drought. If the offense continues to play like it has recently, the latter is becoming increasingly more likely. Let’s hope the Titans make some changes soon.

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