NFL playoffs: Scouting the AFC playoff teams

A look at the AFC playoff teams from a statistical point of view before the postseason truly gets underway.

The Baltimore Ravens earned a richly deserved bye in the AFC playoffs after finishing with the best record in the conference at 14-2. But while they are resting up and hoping the flu bug that has swept through the squad will not take a long time to clear up, the postseason will begin in earnest this week.

While there’s plenty of reasons to believe the Ravens will sweep through the playoffs en route to their third Super Bowl visit, they’ll have to beat a couple of AFC teams to get there first. There are five potential opponents alongside Baltimore in the AFC playoff race, all with their own strengths and weaknesses.

Here we will take a look at the five other teams that potentially stand between the Ravens and a trip to the Super Bowl, looking at how they have fared in 2019 from a statistical point of view.

Kansas City Chiefs:

Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images

The Kansas City Chiefs secured the No. 2 seed in the AFC in the dying moments of the regular season. They won the AFC West with a 12-4 record and edged past the New England Patriots after the Patriots lost at home to the Miami Dolphins in Week 17.

Offense:

The strength of the team is their offense and primarily their passing game. The Chiefs scored the sixth-most points in 2019, with 51.8% of their offensive drives ending in a score — the second-highest rate in the league. The Chiefs did a masterful job of protecting their stud quarterback Patrick Mahomes, allowing a sack rate of only 4.2%. This was the fourth-best in the NFL. While Kansas City put up the fifth-most passing yards, they were ranked 23rd in rushing the football.

Defense:

Defensively they were middle of the pack this past season, allowing the 17th most yards but also the seventh-fewest points. The Chiefs were vulnerable on the ground, allowing the seventh-most rushing yards. But teams did not enjoy much success through the air against defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s unit, amassing the eighth-fewest yards. The Chiefs had 45 sacks, good for 11th in the NFL last season, and created these without a strong reliance on the blitz, sending extra rushers on just 29.1% of their plays.

They were fairly proficient with regard to taking the ball away from the opposition. The Chiefs ended 13.4% of their opponents’ possessions with a turnover. This was the ninth-best rate in 2019.

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These are the 2 teams Ravens fans should root for in Week 17

The Baltimore Ravens already have their playoff spot locked up but could use a more favorable set of opponents, making Week 17 important

In the final week of the 2019 regular season, most of the playoff spots have already been earned, at least for the AFC. With so few games actually meaning anything this week, there aren’t as many teams for Baltimore Ravens fans to root for. It helps that the Ravens have already locked up a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the postseason, meaning this rooting guide is all about altering the playoff landscape to better benefit Baltimore.

Here are the two teams you should be rooting for in Week 17 if you’re a Ravens fan.

Tennessee Titans (8-7) at Houston Texans (10-5)

Rooting for: Texans

Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

The Titans currently hold the No. 6 and final seed, tied up with the Pittsburgh Steelers but having the tiebreaking edge over them. If Pittsburgh were to win and Tennessee loses, the Steelers would squeak into the playoffs thanks to a better record. While it would suck to see Baltimore lose to Pittsburgh and the Texans to win in Week 17, that might actually be for the best.

The Titans have been on a roll with Ryan Tannehill taking over at quarterback, winning four of their last six games and beating the Kansas City Chiefs in the process. They’re dangerous and as the No. 6 seed, they’d be coming to M&T Bank Stadium to take on the Ravens if they won in the wild-card round.

Meanwhile, the Steelers are pretty beat up on top of having serious question marks at quarterback. I wouldn’t want to see them three times in a season but they’d be the far easier matchup than Tennessee if they made it that far.

Of course, there’s an argument to be made that the superior team beating up on the No. 3 seed would be beneficial to Baltimore in the long term. But I’m going for the easiest road to Super Bowl LIV here and that would be the Steelers over the Titans.

Bills to face either Texans or Chiefs in return to playoffs

The field of AFC teams against whom the Buffalo Bills will face in the playoffs has been narrowed down to two teams: the Houston Texans or the Kansas City Chiefs. 

The field of AFC teams against whom the Buffalo Bills will face in the playoffs has been narrowed down to two teams: the Houston Texans or the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Bills are slotted into fifth place in the AFC playoff picture. Their opponent in the Wild Card matchup will be set based on the events of Week 17. Buffalo will travel to the fourth-place team in the AFC standings for the Wild Card clash.

The Texans and the Chiefs are the champions of their respective divisions. Currently, the Chiefs (11-4) are placed in the third-overall spot in the conference. A win during their final game of the 2019 campaign will place them no worse than third in the conference, which a chance at moving to the second spot overall based on the outcome of the New England Patriots final game.

The Texans (10-5) are currently fourth the conference. They could move to the No. 3 spot with a win in Week 17 and a Chiefs loss. The Texans hold the head-to-head tiebreaker against the Chiefs.

The Chiefs close out their season against the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium, while the Texans host the Tennessee Titans for their final contest of the season.

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Bills playoff picture: Post-Week 13 recap of teams ‘in the hunt’

Here’s a recap of the latest happening in the AFC playoff picture from Week 13:

The Buffalo Bills took a major step forward in earning their second playoff berth in the last three years with a Thanksgiving Day dismantling of the Dallas Cowboys. The victory placed the team two games ahead of their closest competition.

With four games remaining, it’s looking pretty good for the Bills.

After a big week of action in Week 13, the playoff picture is starting to come together in the AFC.

With that, here’s a recap of the latest happening in the AFC playoff picture from Week 13:

AFC seeding:

  1. Baltimore Ravens(10-2)
  2. New England Patriots (10-2)
  3. Houston Texans (8-4)
  4. Kansas City Chiefs (8-4)
  5. Buffalo Bills (9-3)
  6. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5)

  7. Tennessee Titans (7-5)
  8. Oakland Raiders (6-6)
  9. Indianapolis Colts (6-6)
  10. Cleveland Browns (5-7)
10. Cleveland Browns (5-7)

Week 13:

Cleveland found a way to lose to “Duck” Hodges and the Pittsburgh Steelers 20-13. The season, which started with so much promise and hype, could end with a sub-.500 season for the pre-season darlings.

Next game:

vs. Cincinnati Bengals (1-11)

9. Indianapolis Colts (6-6)

Week 13:

The Colts fell to the Titans 31-17, their second consecutive loss to an AFC South foe. Indianapolis gave up 24 unanswered points over the final quarter and a half to lose at home.

Next game:

at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-7)

8. Oakland Raiders (6-6)

Week 13:

It was the second consecutive week that the Raiders were thrashed, this time falling to Kansas City 40-9. They fell to 1-5 on the road this year.

Next game:

vs. Tennessee Titans (7-5)

7. Tennessee Titans (7-5)

Week 13:

The Titans roared back and finished off their divisional foes, the Indianapolis Colts, 31-17. A blocked field goal returned for the touchdown ultimately shifted the game into the Titans favor.

Next game:

at Oakland Raiders (6-6)


Playoff team recap:

6. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5)

Week 12:

The Steelers won the battle on the field against the Cleveland Browns 20-13. Duck Hodges led the way at quarterback for Pittsburgh, who is just finding ways to win games.

Next game:

at Arizona Cardinals (3-8-1)

5. Buffalo Bills (9-3)

Week 13:

Buffalo told the NFL that they are for real with a Thanksgiving Day thrashing of Dallas, 26-15.

Next game:

vs. Baltimore Ravens (10-2)

4. Kansas City Chiefs (8-4)

Week 13:

Kansas City demolished Oakland 40-9. The Chiefs opened with a 31-point lead through the first three quarters of the game.

Next game:

at New England (10-2)

3. Houston Texans (8-4)

Week 13:

The Texans dominated the New England Patriots early in the game and went on to a 28-22 victory.

Next game:

vs. Denver Broncos (4-8)

2. New England Patriots (9-2)

Week 13:

The Patriots struggled against Houston and played from behind for most of the game. They were limited to only three points in the first half versus the Texans.

Next game:

vs. Kansas City (8-4)

1. Baltimore Ravens (10-2)

Week 13:

In what could have been a Super Bowl preview, the Ravens knocked off the San Francisco 49ers 20-17 as Justin Tucker hit the game-winning field goal as time expired.

Next game:

at Buffalo Bills (9-3)

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Ravens’ Week 12 rooting guide

The Baltimore Ravens can win out and are guaranteed a playoff spot but a little help in Week 12 never hurt. Here’s four teams to root for

The Baltimore Ravens have their own game to worry about, taking on the Los Angeles Rams in Week 12. However, though the Ravens can just worry about their own schedule and still lock up at least a No. 2 seed if they win out, a little help from the rest of the league never hurt anyone.

In Week 12, Baltimore has a chance to improve their standings even further, including getting that much closer to formally locking up their AFC North crown. So let’s take a look at this week’s rooting guide so you know which teams to be cheering for and which games don’t matter as much.

Dallas Cowboys at New England Patriots

Rooting for: Cowboys

Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images

The Patriots are right ahead of the Ravens in the AFC playoff race, thanks to just one more win. But with a head-to-head tiebreaker, a New England loss and Baltimore win would put the Ravens in the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoff picture.

A No. 1 seed means home-field advantage throughout the entire postseason as well as a first-round bye. For a team that plays well off their bye and will likely need an extra week to recuperate from a long season, that should be the best path to Baltimore playing in Super Bowl LIV.

Bills playoff picture: Post Week-11 recap of AFC teams ‘in the hunt’

Here’s a recap of the latest happenings in the AFC playoff picture after Week 11.

The Buffalo Bills thrashing of the Miami Dolphins in Week 11 has further helped their chances at making a post-season appearance for the second time in the past three years. However, there are still several teams nipping at the heals of the Bills in the playoff race.

Here’s a recap of the latest happenings in the AFC playoff picture:

AFC seeding:

  1. New England Patriots (9-1)
  2. Baltimore Ravens (8-2)
  3. Kansas City Chiefs (7-4)
  4. Indianapolis Colts (6-4)
  5. Buffalo Bills (7-3)
  6. Houston Texans (6-4)

  7. Oakland Raiders (6-4)
  8. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-5)
  9. Tennessee Titans (5-5)
  10. Cleveland Browns (4-6)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
10. Cleveland Browns(4-6)

Week 11:

Cleveland defeated Pittsburgh on Thursday night to move within two games of a playoff spot. However, they lost defensive end Myles Garrett for the season after he lost his mind during an altercation with Pittsburgh’s Mason Rudolph, striking the Steelers quarterback in the head with his own helmet.

Next game:

vs. Miami Dolphins (2-8)

9. Tennessee Titans (5-5)

Week 11:

Bye week

Next game:

vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

8. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-5)

Week 11:

Mason Rudolph throws four interceptions in Thursday-night loss.

Next game:

at Cincinnati Bengals (0-10)

7. Oakland Raiders (6-4)

Week 11:

Raiders hang on to defeat winless Bengals 17-10 as Derek Carr throws for 292 yards on an efficient 25-of-29 passing day.

Next game:

at New York Jets (3-7)


Playoff teams recap:

6. Houston Texans(6-4)

Week 11:

Houston was smoked by Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens 41-7. The loss drops them out of first place in the AFC South.

Next game:

vs. Indianapolis Colts (6-4)

5. Buffalo Bills (7-3)

Week 11:

Buffalo trounced the Miami Dolphins 37-20 on Josh Allen’s four total touchdowns.

Next game:

vs. Denver Broncos (3-7)

4. Indianapolis Colts(6-4)

Week 11:

Jacoby Brissett returns and the Colts dominate Jacksonville 33-13.

Next game:

at Houston (6-4)

3. Kansas City Chiefs (7-3)

Week 11:

Kansas City bested division-rival Los Angeles Chargers 24-17 on Monday Night Football despite a quiet day from Patrick Mahomes.

Next game:

Bye week

2. Baltimore Ravens (8-2)

Week 11:

Baltimore routed the prospective playoff-bound Houston Texans 41-7. as the Ravens offense put up 491 total yards on the day.

Next game:

at Los Angeles Rams (6-4)

1. New England Patriots (9-1)

Week 11:

After a slow start, New England’s defense locked down the Philadelphia Eagles in a 17-10 win.

Next game:

vs. Dallas Cowboys (6-4)

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