The Pittsburgh Steelers were the only team to clinch a playoff berth in Week 14, and we’ll be watching closely this weekend to see who joins them.
Week 15 features a huge conference matchup — not to mention, a possible January preview — as well as few divisional head-to-heads that will have a big impact on the post-season picture moving forward.
Here’s what you need to know on this huge football weekend.
AFC Standings
If the season ended today…
Wild Card Round
No. 6 Buffalo Bills (7-6) at No. 3 Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4)
No. 5 Tennessee Titans (8-5) at No. 4 Kansas City Chiefs (7-6)
Divisional Round
Lowest-seeded wild-card winner at No. 1 Pittsburgh Steelers [y] (11-2)
Highest-seeded wild-card winner at No. 2 New England Patriots (10-3)
[x] Clinched playoff berth
[y] Clinched division title
[z] Clinched conference
AFC teams still in the hunt
Baltimore Ravens: 7-6, second in AFC North
Los Angeles Chargers: 7-6, second in AFC West
Oakland Raiders: 6-7, third in AFC West
Miami Dolphins: 6-7, third in AFC East
Week 15 clinching scenarios
Game of the Week
This weekend’s slate of games is so good, we can’t help but pick two.
Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs, Saturday (!) 8:30 p.m. ET
The Chiefs halted their losing skid with a huge divisional win over Oakland on Sunday and seem to have found their mojo again just in time to attempt a season sweep of the Chargers, who have climbed the standings since their last meeting thanks to four straight wins and MVP-calibre play from Philip Rivers.
A Chiefs win gives Kansas City some separation from the tightly-packed AFC West, while a Chargers win will earn Rivers’ club the top spot—for now, anyway.
New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET
This is the game we’ve all been waiting for, as the conference’s top two teams go head-to-head in what could be a preview of what’s to come in the playoffs. Pittsburgh put up big numbers against the Ravens on Sunday night but struggled defensively without Ryan Shazier, while the Gronk-less Patriots stumbled and were ultimately upset by the Miami Dolphins in a game that could’ve clinched them the division.
There’s a ton at stake here. Pittsburgh already clinched the AFC North and are now playing for home-field advantage — which they can get with a win on Sunday plus a Jacksonville loss or tie against Houston — and can clinch a first-round bye with a victory (or a tie, accompanied by a Jacksonville loss).
New England, meanwhile, gets another crack at clinching the AFC East with a win or a tie in Pittsburgh, or with a Bills loss or tie against Miami. They could even clinch a playoff spot before kickoff, as a Baltimore loss or tie in Cleveland means a post-season berth for Tom Brady & Co.
Spoiler Alert
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills, Sunday 1 p.m. ET
The Dolphins surprised pretty much everyone when they spoiled New England’s playoff-clinching attempt Monday night, and they’ve got a chance to dampen the Bills’ hopes this weekend. Buffalo jumped back into the playoff picture with their snowy victory over the Colts in Week 14, but their stay could be short-lived if they lose at home to the Dolphins.
Other games to watch
Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday 1 p.m. ET
Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns, Sunday 1 p.m. ET
Baltimore can’t clinch anything this week, but they should be able to rebound nicely from a late loss to Pittsburgh to jump back into the picture.
Tennessee Titans at San Francisco 49ers, Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET
Dallas Cowboys at Oakland Raiders, Sunday 8:30 p.m. ET
It’s desperation time for the Raiders as they face the Cowboys on the Sunday night stage. They’ll need to rebound from a poor Week 14 if they want to keep up with the Chargers and Chiefs.
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