KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 13: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts as he takes the field before the AFC Wild Card Playoffs against the Miami Dolphins at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 13, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
The AFC playoffs will go through the Chiefs. That much we know. But here is the seeding and breakdown!
1. Kansas City Chiefs
CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 04: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs throws a pass during the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
They rested their stars in week 18, and as the top seed in the AFC, they also have the bye week coming up. We won’t see them until the divisional round, likely against the Chargers.
2. Buffalo Bills
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – OCTOBER 16: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills calls a play at the line during the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on October 16, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jason Hanna/Getty Images)
They are the number 2 seed, but we knew that heading into week 18. The only thing they didn’t know was who they would play. Now they know. They get a rookie QB coming into Buffalo in January. Good spot for the Bills to be in.
3. Baltimore Ravens
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, JANUARY 20: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens throws the ball in the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium on January 20, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Texans 34-10. (Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images)
They are the 3rd seed, are playing their best football right now and will host the Steelers.
4. Houston Texans
CINCINNATI, OHIO – NOVEMBER 12: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Clinched the AFC South division title a while back but have played uninspiring football since week 8.
5. Los Angeles Chargers
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 12: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates after defeating the Washington Football Team 20-16 at FedExField on September 12, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Their win over the Raiders bumped them into the 5th seed and now they get to face Houston instead of Baltimore. They are playing well and should beat Houston.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 9: Russell Wilson #3 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up before the preseason game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium on August 9, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
They are limping into the postseason and will now limp into Baltimore and possibly get blown out.
7. Denver Broncos
TAMPA, FL – SEPTEMBER 22: Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after a touchdown during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
They won huge against the Chiefs backups and are the 7th seed. They are heading to Buffalo to face the Bills.
