Rocky Mountain High (AFC Week 16)

I figured this would happen. Week 15 saw three teams with a chance to clinch spots. Two of them did. Because that was the first week to have actual clinching scenarios, and also because 13 teams have been officially eliminated already, guess what? We have a lot of scenarios in Week 16. Nine teams can clinch spots this week! Nine! And for those who know my writing on Vocal, you know what that means. Split stories by conference this week.

We all know how important Week 16 is. It's normally the Christmas week, though with how the calendar looks, it's the final week before Christmas. In standard Fantasy Football leagues, the playoffs start everywhere, with the select lucky few participating in the Semifinals. Week 16 begins a five week stretch of Saturday games, which takes place on the final three weeks of the season, Wild Card Weekend, and the Divisional Playoff. Time really starts to run out for teams during Week 16, as those who are still behind the playoff line by then, well, they really have to do what they can to possibly win out.

The first half of this look into the playoff picture will solely focus on the American Football Conference, and it's getting a lot clearer already:

The playoff-bound Denver Broncos sit alone on top of the conference at 12-2, while the New England Patriots are #2 at 11-3. At #3, it's the Jacksonville Jaguars at 10-4, while the AFC North leading Pittsburgh Steelers are at #4 with an 8-6 record. Regarding the Wild Cards, the Chargers and Bills have identical 10-4 records, but it's LA's 8-2 conference record that places them at #5, while the Bills sit at #6. The #7 position is held by the Houston Texans, who continued their winning ways and improved to 9-5.

As for what's behind the playoff line, it's not much. Each conference has nine teams who fail to qualify, and already, seven of them are out. The only teams left who still have a pulse: the Indianapolis Colts and the Baltimore Ravens. At 8-6, the Colts have an outside shot at the division (emphasis on outside), but it does look like the Wild Card may be the way to go, and that season finale matchup with the Texans gets more and more interesting. For the Ravens, it's basiclally division or bust, and they're a game behind the Steelers with three to play.

That is the playoff picture in the AFC, and regarding Week 16, four teams can get in, while (at least) a division can be wrapped up:

The Broncos are now winners of 11 straight following a 1-2 start, and they became the first team in the AFC to lock in a playoff spot. They are in the driver's seat as far as winning the AFC West is concerned. In fact, they can clinch the division this week. A win and a Chargers loss or tie will get it done. If they tie, the Chargers have to lose. Regarding that first scenario, if you add a Patriots loss and a Bills loss or tie, then the Broncos will get the #1 seed in the AFC already with two weeks to go. The Broncos will host the AFC South leading Jaguars on Sunday.

The New England Patriots had a chance to wrap up the AFC East on the previous week, but the Bills came back on them in Foxboro. The division will have to wait, but the Pats can take the first step, which is simply getting in. New England still controls their own destiny in that regard; a win or tie puts them in. The Pats can also get in if either Indy or Houston loses or ties. New England will be in Baltimore on Sunday Night Football, though they could be playoff bound before they take the field, as the Houston Texans host the Raiders on Sunday's late window.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have definitely turned heads this season. Good years have come few and far in between for the Jags, as after their surprise division title in 2022, they had a collapse in 2023 and a terrible 2024 season. This year has been amazing for the Jags; as they have reached 10+ wins for only the seventh time in franchise history, and the first time since 2017 (which saw them almost reach the Super Bowl). This week sees Jacksonville with the opportunity to lock in a playoff spot. A win and either an Indy or Houston loss or tie puts them in. If they tie (which they've never done), either an Indy loss or an Indy tie combined with a Houston loss puts them in. As mentioned earlier, the Jags will be in Denver on Sunday.

From the moment this season started, the Los Angeles Chargers looked really good. They have fallen behind the Broncos in the AFC West, but they have, for the most part, played very well. It's been a while since the Bolts made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. In fact, they've never done it since moving back to LA in 2017. The Chargers' most recent set of consecutive postseasons came during that stretch between 2006-09 when the San Diego Chargers won the AFC West for four straight years. In fact, 2009 was the last time they won the West. The Chargers can get in this week, and they have the exact same scenarios as Jacksonville. The Bolts will be in Jerry World against the Cowboys during Sunday's early window.

The Buffalo Bills are coming off a huge comeback win in Foxboro that saved their chances of winning the AFC East once again. However, they have to crawl before they can walk. By that, I mean, just get in first. The Bills almost have the same scenarios as Jacksonville and the Chargers, but the only difference is that if they tie, they will only need either Indy or Houston to lose. The Bills are in Cleveland during Sunday's early window, which should be an easy outing. Speaking of easy, it can definitely be said that this is Josh Allen's easiest chance to, at least, reach the Super Bowl. Because guess what? There's no Mahomes. There's no Burrow. There may be no Lamar. Josh should get there this time--emphasis on should. Watch him still fuck it up.

* * *

The American Football Conference will definitely have an interesting Week 16, with so much up for grabs. I don't expect all of the scenarios to come true, but I know this much, it's going to be quite a thrilling week in the AFC!