{"id":16984,"date":"2025-11-21T01:26:26","date_gmt":"2025-11-21T05:26:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.red94.net\/news\/nfl-playoff-picture-patriots-broncos-pace-afc-as-texans-surge-into-wild-card-race\/"},"modified":"2025-11-21T01:26:47","modified_gmt":"2025-11-21T05:26:47","slug":"22199-nfl-playoff-picture-patriots-broncos-pace-afc-as-texans-surge-into-wild-card-rac","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.red94.net\/news\/22199-nfl-playoff-picture-patriots-broncos-pace-afc-as-texans-surge-into-wild-card-rac\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL playoff picture: Patriots, Broncos pace AFC as Texans surge into wild-card race"},"content":{"rendered":"

The AFC playoff picture<\/b> took dramatic shape after Week 11<\/b>. The Denver Broncos<\/b> and New England Patriots<\/b> both own 9-2<\/b> records heading into the final stretch. Meanwhile, the Houston Texans<\/b> are surging hard into wild card contention at 6-5<\/b> after upsetting the Buffalo Bills<\/b> on Thursday night<\/b>. The race remains wide open with seven weeks remaining.<\/p>\n

\n

\ud83d\udd25 Quick Facts:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Broncos lead AFC<\/b> with 9-2<\/b> record but hold 6-2<\/b> conference record tiebreaker advantage.<\/li>\n
  • Patriots hold 97% playoff probability<\/b> per ESPN’s Football Power Index model.<\/li>\n
  • Texans defeated Bills 23-19<\/b> on Nov. 20<\/b> with backup QB Davis Mills<\/b> throwing two TDs.<\/li>\n
  • Colts sit third<\/b> with 8-2<\/b> record after dominant AFC South performance.<\/li>\n
  • Chiefs still alive<\/b> despite 5-5<\/b> record but face must-win scenarios ahead.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

    AFC’s Power Duo Dominates Top Seed Race<\/h2>\n

    The Broncos<\/b> have captured the AFC’s top seed after an impressive eight-game winning streak<\/b>. Their 6-2 conference record<\/b> edges the Patriots<\/b> at 5-2<\/b> in head-to-head tiebreakers. Denver’s<\/b> consistency has impressed experts and analysts alike.<\/p>\n

    The Patriots<\/b> remain hot contenders despite being tied in overall wins. New England’s<\/b> 97% playoff probability<\/b> ranks highest of any AFC team. Both teams control their own destiny heading toward December’s critical matchups.<\/p>\n

    ESPN’s computer model gives Denver<\/b> a 9.5%<\/b> chance to win the Super Bowl. The Broncos<\/b> earned a bye week advantage during the playoff race, giving them rest while competitors battle.<\/p>\n

    Current AFC Playoff Standings Through Week 11<\/h2>\n

    The AFC playoff picture shows clear division among contenders and pretenders:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Seed<\/b><\/th>\nTeam<\/b><\/th>\nRecord<\/b><\/th>\nDivision Title<\/b><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
    1<\/b><\/td>\nDenver Broncos<\/b><\/td>\n9-2<\/b><\/td>\nAFC West<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    2<\/b><\/td>\nNew England Patriots<\/b><\/td>\n9-2<\/b><\/td>\nAFC East<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    3<\/b><\/td>\nIndianapolis Colts<\/b><\/td>\n8-2<\/b><\/td>\nAFC South<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    4<\/b><\/td>\nPittsburgh Steelers<\/b><\/td>\n6-4<\/b><\/td>\nAFC North<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    5<\/b><\/td>\nBuffalo Bills<\/b><\/td>\n7-4<\/b><\/td>\nWild Card<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    6<\/b><\/td>\nNew York Chargers<\/b><\/td>\n7-4<\/b><\/td>\nWild Card<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

    The Bills<\/b> dropped to 7-4<\/b> after their upset loss to Houston<\/b>. Buffalo<\/b> now trails divisions leaders in the AFC East race. The Chargers<\/b> hold the final wild card spot but face weekend battles.<\/p>\n

    Texans’ Breakthrough Win Shakes Up Wild Card Picture<\/h2>\n

    The Houston Texans<\/b> delivered a stunning 23-19<\/b> upset over the Bills<\/b> on November 20<\/b>. Backup quarterback Davis Mills<\/b> orchestrated the win, improving to 3-0<\/b> as Houston’s starter. Mills<\/b> completed passes for 153<\/b> yards and two<\/b> touchdowns despite missing top receiver CJ Stroud<\/b>.<\/p>\n

    \n

    The Texans<\/b> defense dominated the game with eight<\/b> sacks on Josh Allen<\/b>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    Allen<\/b> threw a game-ending interception on fourth<\/b> down in the Texans<\/b> red zone. The Bills<\/b> had converted an incredible 4th and 27<\/b> with a lateral earlier in the drive. Houston<\/b> now sits just half a game<\/b> behind the Jacksonville Jaguars<\/b> for the final wild card spot.<\/p>\n

    The Texans<\/b> have now beaten Buffalo<\/b> twice in consecutive seasons. Houston’s<\/b> defense unit ranks No. 1<\/b> in the entire NFL<\/b> despite playing without their star quarterback. This team remains dangerous in late-season playoff scenarios.<\/p>\n

    Which Teams Are Still in the Hunt?<\/h2>\n

    The AFC wild card race<\/b> remains incredibly tight heading into Week 12<\/b>.<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Kansas City Chiefs (5-5)<\/b> face elimination concerns but retain mathematical playoff chances.<\/li>\n
    • Baltimore Ravens (5-5)<\/b> and Houston Texans (6-5)<\/b> battle for positioning daily.<\/li>\n
    • Jacksonville Jaguars (6-4)<\/b> currently hold the sixth seed ahead of the Texans<\/b>.<\/li>\n
    • Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4)<\/b> control their own destiny in the AFC North.<\/li>\n
    • Buffalo Bills (7-4)<\/b> dropped after their shocking loss but retain 97%<\/b> playoff probability.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Multiple teams remain alive for 12<\/b> playoff spots entering the final month. The AFC East<\/b> will determine between New England<\/b> and Buffalo<\/b> which gets top wild card seeding.<\/p>\n

      What Determines AFC Supremacy Down the Stretch?<\/h2>\n

      The race between Denver<\/b> and New England<\/b> hinges on conference records<\/b>. Both teams have controlled powerful schedules through October<\/b> and November<\/b>. Their remaining opponents will determine final seeding.<\/p>\n

      Wild card contenders must win games against division rivals soon. The Texans’<\/b> No. 1<\/b> ranked defense proves they can beat anybody on Sunday<\/b>. Houston’s<\/b> offensive improvements under Mills<\/b> suggest playoff viability despite quarterback challenges.<\/p>\n

      Can the Broncos<\/b> maintain their winning streak through December? Will New England<\/b> continue winning with perfect focus? The AFC playoff picture tells the story: consistency wins championships.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":16983,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"schema_org_data":"{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Davi Millsaps\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.themoviedb.org\/person\/1278133\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"CJ Stroud\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Josh 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01:27:08","footnotes":""},"categories":[188],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16984","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sport","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-33"],"yoast_head":"\nNFL playoff picture: Patriots, Broncos pace AFC as Texans surge into wild-card race<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.red94.net\/news\/22199-nfl-playoff-picture-patriots-broncos-pace-afc-as-texans-surge-into-wild-card-rac\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"NFL playoff picture: Patriots, Broncos pace AFC as Texans surge into wild-card race\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"…\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" 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