NFL playoff picture 2024-25: standings, bracket scenarios after the Ravens win against the Bengals | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

1. Kansas City Chiefs (8-0)

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)

5. Baltimore Ravens (7-3)

6. Los Angeles Chargers (5-3)

8. Indianapolis Colts (4-5)

9.Cincinnati Bengals (4-6)

11. Tennessee Titans (2-6)

13. Cleveland Browns (2-7)

14. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-7)

15. Las Vegas Raiders (2-7)

16. New England Patriots (2-7)

Italics: Currently in wildcard playoff position.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (bye through wild card round).

7. Denver Broncos at 2. Buffalo Bills

6. Los Angeles Chargers and 3. Pittsburgh Steelers

5. Baltimore Ravens and 4. Houston Texans

Can any team catch the Chiefs?

It hasn't always been pretty, but the Chiefs sit atop the AFC at 8-0 with an average margin of victory of 7.0 points. The offense faltered at times, but the defense was fantastic, holding opponents to the fourth-lowest points per game in the league.

The rest of the schedule is mixed. On the bright side, there are three games against two-win teams in sight (at the Carolina Panthers, against the Las Vegas Raiders, at the Cleveland Browns).

On the other hand, every other game is played against a team that has a winning record. The toughest game is an away game against the Buffalo Bills 7-2 on Sunday, November 17th.

The Chiefs then also have two games against the current division leaders in four days, as Kansas City hosts the Houston Texans on Saturday, December 21st before visiting the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day.

That's not easy for any team, not even the undefeated two Super Bowl champions.

The Bills appear to have the best chance of dethroning the Chiefs at the top of the AFC. The problem is that Buffalo still has four brutal games left: at home against Kansas City and then (after a bye) at home against the defending NFC champion San Francisco 49ers, in cross country against the Los Angeles Rams and at 7: 1 against Detroit Lions.

If the Bills can somehow post a 3-1 record and beat the Chiefs during this stretch, they could catch Kansas City. It helps that Buffalo has two games against the New England Patriots in the final three weeks for a (presumably) easier finish.