AFC Playoff Picture, Week 14

The NFL playoffs are just around the corner, and though most New England fans seem to think the playoffs are just a formality this year, plenty of teams are still chasing that shiny Lombardi Trophy. With that in mind, here's a look at how the AFC playoff race is stacking up at this point in the season...

Seed	Team	Record	Div.	Conf.
1	New England Patriots	12-0	4-0	9-0
2	Indianapolis Colts	10-2	4-0	6-2
3	Pittsburgh Steelers	9-3	5-0	7-2
4	San Diego Chargers	7-5	3-1	6-3
5	Jacksonville Jaguars	8-4	2-3	6-3
6	Cleveland Browns	7-5	3-2	5-4
--	Tennessee Titans	7-5	3-2	4-4
--	Buffalo Bills	6-6	3-2	5-5

TIEBREAKERS:

• Cleveland has the tiebreaker on Tennessee based on conference record.

Before I begin, I'd like to thank Rex Ryan for calling time out on that 4th & 1 play, thus preventing me from having to rewrite this piece completely late on Monday night. Now then...

The Indianapolis Colts would like you to know that they're still the best team in the AFC South.

Sure, the Jaguars gave them a worthy challenge, but in the end, the Colts remain the #2 seed, and with three games left against teams that are under .500, they will probably stay that way.

Perhaps the biggest reason the Colts will keep their first-round bye, though, is Pittsburgh's trip to New England on Sunday. The Steelers could have stepped into that #2 seed with a Jaguars win on Sunday, but now, they remain a game back, and they have to face a seemingly unbeatable team to stay that way. No doubt, Pittsburgh would love to be the one that knocks New England off its perch -- especially after the Ravens came so close -- and prove it can play with the elite teams, but you keep being reminded that this team lost to the Cardinals and Jets, don't you?

Still, the Steelers appear destined for that #3 seed right now, which means they wouldn't have to face Jacksonville in the opening round. That would set up a possible Steelers at Colts showdown in the divisional playoffs. Pittsburgh beat Indianapolis two years ago on their way to the Super Bowl. Could they still spoil that Patriots v. Colts showdown in the AFC Championship we're all expecting?

As for the Jags, they would be wise to take care of business before they book that trip to San Diego. Keep in mind, though, that they've beaten the Chargers once already, and they could have their shot against the Pats before it's over, too.

THIS WEEK'S IMPACT GAMES (All Times Eastern):

• Pittsburgh Steelers @ New England Patriots (SUN, 4:15 PM, CBS): Here's your game of the week. This is where we'll find out just how good the Steelers really are. The result may not shake up the seeds, but it could give teams something to think about. Tom Brady, however, is bound to be better than he was on Monday night, right? Right!?
  
  
• San Diego Chargers @ Tennessee Titans (SUN, 1:00 PM, CBS): The Chargers have a two-game lead in the AFC West and could come close to locking it up here, not to mention putting a huge dent in the Titans' postseason hopes.
  
  
• Indianapolis Colts @ Baltimore Ravens (SUN, 8:15 PM, NBC): The Ravens' secondary consists of one man, really. Peyton Manning could have another four-touchdown game easily here.
  
  
• Carolina Panthers @ Jacksonville Jaguars (SUN, 1:00 PM, FOX): As a Panthers fan, I would love to say this might be a trap game for the Jags, coming in between battles against the Colts and Steelers. I have a little more confidence in David Garrard than I do in Vinny Testaverde, though.
  
  
• Cleveland Browns @ New York Jets (SUN, 4:15 PM, CBS): The Browns are still in playoff position and have to put last Sunday's officiating horrors behind them and focus on this one. The Jets may be 3-8, but they're 2-1 since their bye, including a win over Pittsburgh. This may be tougher than it looks for the Browns.
  
  
• Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills (SUN, 1:00 PM, CBS): Now this is a trap game. If Buffalo wants to remain in this race, they have to win this game, and despite the Dolphins' apparent inability to win anything, the Bills would be wise to take them seriously.

Bookmark this page and visit it every Tuesday at noon EST for the latest AFC playoff picture. Click here for the latest NFC playoff picture.