SALEM, OR — With only four weeks remaining in the 2K Online Franchise League’s regular season, the playoff race in the AFC is heating up. The division leaders are holding strong, but the wild card spots remain wide open, and several teams are making a last-minute push to punch their ticket to the postseason. Here’s how the AFC playoff picture stands and what each team faces in the coming weeks.
AFC Division Leaders:
1. Baltimore Ravens (11-2)
The Ravens have controlled the AFC North for most of the season and currently hold the top seed. Their remaining schedule is favorable, but not without challenges. After their Week 15 matchup against the Giants, they face divisional showdowns with the Steelers and Browns, two teams still fighting for playoff positioning. Finishing the season with the Texans could solidify their hold on the top seed if they can handle business.
Remaining Schedule:
- Week 15: @ Giants
- Week 16: vs Steelers
- Week 17: @ Texans
- Week 18: vs Browns
2. Houston Texans (11-2)
The Texans are leading the AFC South and have a challenging road ahead, including games against the Dolphins, Chiefs, and Ravens. Houston has shown they can compete with anyone, but their postseason fate will likely come down to how they perform in these marquee matchups.
Remaining Schedule:
- Week 15: vs Dolphins
- Week 16: @ Chiefs
- Week 17: vs Ravens
- Week 18: @ Titans
3. Kansas City Chiefs (10-3)
Kansas City has been one of the hottest teams in the AFC and will need to stay sharp down the stretch with tough matchups against playoff hopefuls like the Browns, Bengals, and Broncos. They’ve shown they can put up points in a hurry, but every game will be critical as they try to maintain their division lead.
Remaining Schedule:
- Week 15: @ Browns
- Week 16: vs Bengals
- Week 17: @ Steelers
- Week 18: @ Broncos
4. New York Jets (9-4)
The Jets are clinging to the AFC East lead, but their remaining schedule is a gauntlet, featuring games against the Jaguars, Bills, and Dolphins—all teams with playoff aspirations. If the Jets can navigate these games successfully, they could lock up their second playoff birth in three seasons.
Remaining Schedule:
- Week 15: @ Jaguars
- Week 16: vs Rams
- Week 17: @ Bills
- Week 18: vs Dolphins
AFC Wild Card Teams
5. Cleveland Browns (11-2)
Joe Milton III has led the Browns’ resurgence, and they are right in the thick of the playoff race. However, their final stretch is brutal, featuring matchups against the Chiefs, Bengals, Dolphins, and Ravens. If they can pull off a couple of wins, they’ll likely punch their ticket to the postseason.
Remaining Schedule:
- Week 15: vs Chiefs
- Week 16: @ Bengals
- Week 17: vs Dolphins
- Week 18: @ Ravens
6. Cincinnati Bengals (9-4)
The Bengals are coming off a tough loss to the Steelers but bounced back against the Cowboys. Their schedule ahead, with games against the Titans, Browns, and Steelers, will determine whether they can hold on to their playoff spot or slide down the standings.
Remaining Schedule:
- Week 15: @ Titans
- Week 16: vs Browns
- Week 17: @ Broncos
- Week 18: @ Steelers
7. New England Patriots (7-6)
The Patriots have been up and down, but they’re still in control of their destiny. With two matchups against the Bills and a game against the surging Chargers, they’ll need to be near perfect to secure a playoff spot.
Remaining Schedule:
- Week 15: @ Cardinals
- Week 16: @ Bills
- Week 17: vs Chargers
- Week 18: vs Bills
Outside Looking In
8. Miami Dolphins (7-6)
Miami is still alive, but they need to win out and get help from other teams. They face playoff-caliber opponents in the Texans, Bills, and Jets, making their path to the postseason very difficult.
Remaining Schedule:
9. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-6)
Jacksonville has had an up-and-down season but remains in the hunt for a wild card spot. Games against the Jets, Raiders, and Titans provide opportunities, but the margin for error is slim.
Remaining Schedule:
10. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-7)
The Steelers are barely hanging on to playoff hope after a disappointing season. Their remaining games against the Eagles, Ravens, and Chiefs won’t be easy, but if they can get hot, a wild card spot is still possible.
Remaining Schedule:
- Week 15: @ Eagles
- Week 16: @ Ravens
- Week 17: vs Chiefs
- Week 18: vs Bengals
11. Tennessee Titans (6-7)
The Titans are in a similar situation as the Steelers. They need to string together a few wins, starting with their Week 15 matchup against the Bengals, but their remaining schedule offers some hope with games against the Colts and Jaguars.
Remaining Schedule:
- Week 15: vs Bengals
- Week 16: @ Colts
- Week 17: vs Jaguars
- Week 18: @ Texans
12. Las Vegas Raiders (5-7-1)
The Raiders are coming off a tie against the Buccaneers, which hurt their playoff chances. They face tough matchups against the Falcons, Jaguars, and Saints, but with some luck, they could sneak into the postseason.
Remaining Schedule:
- Week 15: vs Falcons
- Week 16: vs Jaguars
- Week 17: @ Saints
- Week 18: vs Chargers
Final Thoughts
With four weeks to go, the playoff picture in the AFC is anything but clear. The Ravens and Texans look poised to secure division titles, but the wild card race is far from decided, with several teams in contention. Every game counts from here on out, and with marquee matchups on the horizon, the road to the playoffs promises to be a thrilling ride.
