The AFC Playoff picture tightened up a bit in Week 16 with the Broncos falling to the Jaguars, the Chargers defeating the Cowboys, the Bills defeating the Browns, the Texans defeating the Raiders, and the Steelers defeating the Lions in a wild one that came down to the end in Detroit. The Patriots avoided losing two straight by coming back vs. the Ravens and being the second team in the AFC to clinch a postseason berth.
Despite their loss, the Broncos remain as the one seed in the AFC, but things are tight behind them. The Patriots also have a 12-3 record, but the Broncos have a tie-breaker over them, while the Chargers are one back from the Broncos for the AFC West lead and hold the tie-breaker.
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The Broncos still control their own destiny, but it figures to be a wild final two weeks of the NFL season with multiple teams in play for the one seed in the AFC.
AFC West standings
Los Angeles Chargers 11-4
Updated AFC playoff picture
Denver Broncos 12-3 (clinched playoff berth)
New England Patriots 12-3 (clinched playoff berth)
Jacksonville Jaguars 11-4
Los Angeles Chargers 11-4
Indianapolis Colts 8-5 (In the Hunt)
Baltimore Ravens 7-8 (In the Hunt)
Eliminated from AFC playoff contention