2021 NFL Playoff Picture Week 16: 5 AFC teams who can finish as the top seed

Teams battling for the top seed in the AFC playoffs

Here are the teams still contending for the top spot in the AFC Playoffs entering Week 16 of the 2021 NFL season.

#3 - Tennessee Titans (9-5)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill

Despite losing three of their last four games prior to Week 16, the Tennessee Titans are still ranked third in the AFC playoff standings and are tied for the second-best record in the conference. Their path to the top seed in the AFC playoffs is fairly simple. The Titans would need to win the remainder of their games, while the Patriots and Chiefs would each need to lose one more time.

#2 - New England Patriots (9-5)

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones

Like the Buffalo Bills, the New England Patriots also control their own destiny in the AFC East division. This is only possible because they face off in Week 16, with the winner taking over control of the division lead and greatly increasing their outlook for the AFC playoff picture.

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The Patriots also currently hold the best conference record in the AFC. This means that they would own the tiebreaker with the Chiefs, if the two teams finished with the same record. The Patriots will also own all multi-way tiebreakers, if they win the remainder of their games.

#1 - Kansas City Chiefs (10-4)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes

The Kansas City Chiefs are in the driver's seat for the top seed in the AFC playoffs. They currently own the top record in the conference all alone. This means, if they win the remainder of their own games, they will be the number one seed, regardless of what any of the other teams do. They have won their last seven consecutive games, the longest active winning streak in the NFL.