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The top seed of the playoff picture for the AFC is starting to take shape, and the wild-card battle will be exciting to see as well. With four or five games left for teams, there is still a good shot there will be a shakeup to see who lands the #1 seed.
Divisional leaders can further cement their first-place status with a couple more wins, but will they remain at the top of the AFC?
Here's a look at five AFC teams that can finish as the top seed in the playoffs.
Which AFC team will take the top seed in the playoff picture?
#5 - Buffalo Bills - (7-5)
The Buffalo Bills were once the best team in the AFC, sitting pretty at the top seed, but they have lost their footing as of late. They are sadly stuck below the other divisional leaders currently, but that doesn't mean they don't have a shot to redeem themselves and make their case for the best team in the conference.
The likelihood of the Bills achieving the top seed in the playoffs is minimal. Their final stretch of games will be tough. The Bucs, Panthers, Patriots, Falcons, and Jets are in their final five contests. The Falcons and Jets could be easily beaten, but the rest will give them plenty of trouble. They are also two games behind the divisional-leading New England Patriots. The Bills will need to win out to secure the AFC top seed.
#4 - Tennesee Titans - (8-4)
The Tennessee Titans have been humbled as of late, in the same way the Bills have. Back-to-back losses to the Patriots and Texans have not made their lives any easier, but a bye week could have helped the team correct their losses. They have an easy matchup against the Jaguars next, and a 9-4 record would help their case for the top seed in the AFC.
However, the Steelers, 49ers, Dolphins, and Texans are in the final four games of their schedule. All these teams, apart from the Texans, could give them a run for their money. The Titans are in better shape with eight wins under their belt, but they will also need to win out to see their best shot at securing the top seed and home-field advantage for the playoffs.
Also check out: Complete Monday Night Football Schedule 2021
Top 3 AFC teams battling for the top seed in the playoffs
Which team is most likely to land the top seed?
#3 - Baltimore Ravens - (8-4)
The Baltimore Ravens dropped an important game against their divisional rivals on Sunday. Should they have beaten the Pittsburgh Steelers, they would be sitting as the top seed in the AFC right now, with the Patriots. Instead, they are now a game behind them.
The Ravens also have a tough schedule ahead of them. Their final five games include the Browns, Packers, Bengals, Rams, and Steelers. They should be careful not to lose too many of these games, as the Steelers could take the AFC North title right from under them. The Ravens will also want to win out to secure the top seed in the AFC.
#2 - Kansas City Chiefs - (8-4)
The Kansas City Chiefs have been on fire as of late, securing their fifth straight win of the season two weeks ago against the Broncos. Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the team have their things around, and the Chiefs have, once again, become one of the strongest teams in the AFC.
Their final five games include the Raiders, Chargers, Steelers, Bengals, and Broncos. If the Chiefs can manage to beat four of their final five opponents, they may very well end up in the top seed of the AFC. They will have to play their hearts out as their final five opponents are all tough teams.
#1 - New England Patriots - (9-4)
The New England Patriots are currently in familiar territory -- in first place in the AFC East and as the top seed in the AFC. They won an important snow and wind-filled game against the Buffalo Bills on Monday. The win helped catapult them ahead of everyone else in the AFC.
The Patriots' final five games include the Colts, Bills, Jaguars, and Dolphins. Not the worst final schedule to end up with. Should the Patriots win four out of their final five games, they will have a 13-4 record and likely will lock up the top seed in the AFC. It's also familiar territory for the Patriots, with a first-round bye and homefield advantage.
