November 12th, 2025
By Stephen Juza
As we enter the final two months of the regular season, we look at the AFC playoff picture and a few of the surprises that are in store for the final seven games of the season. If the standings hold true, we are looking at a very cold Wild Card round, with three home games played in possibly snowy outdoor conditions based on the NFL data archive.
#1 Indianapolis Colts - Currently leading the three-way tie for the best record in the league, the Colts have come out of nowhere to lead the AFC. Last season, the team went 8-9 and finished second in the AFC South. This year, behind backup-turned-starter quarterback Daniel Jones, the offense is best in the league at both points and yards. This is a feat that not even the Peyton Manning-led Colts achieved, and you have to go all the way back to 1976 when the Colts led both categories in the same season.
#2 Denver Broncos - The current AFC West leaders are a surprise as well in head coach Sean Payton’s third season with the team. The team ended their eight-year playoff drought last year, and Payton has the team hoping for more this year. The Broncos defense has played exceptionally well all season, and is currently ranked third in points allowed for the second consecutive season.
#3 New England Patriots - The current AFC East leaders are yet another surprise to this list. After replacing their head coach for the third consecutive season, the Patriots think they found their new stride with a familiar face. Head coach Mike Vrabel played for the Patriots back in their dynasty, and in his first year has far surpassed expectations.
#4 Pittsburgh Steelers - The final AFC division leader is the Steelers, and while they are leading the division, they have the shortest leash of any division leader. At 5-4, if they fall out of the lead, they likely will not qualify for a wild card spot. Fans have been growing disgruntled with the mediocre performance by the Mike Tomlin-led teams for years, and this year is no different. The team had hoped that acquiring future hall of famer Aaron Rodgers would give the offense a spark in 2025, but the offense has been average all season long.
#5 Los Angeles Chargers - The first wild card spot falls to the Chargers, who are hot on the tail of the Broncos. The AFC West has certainly shaped up to be the most competitive division, behind the stellar talent of head coaches and star playmakers throughout the roster. While the Chargers are likely to make the playoffs, it would likely be on the road against the AFC North winner in a cold or snowy game.
#6 Buffalo Bills - The Bills are checking in as the second wild card spot, but this is viewed as a major disappointment for the team. If these results hold steady, it will be the first time since 2019 the Bills won’t have won the AFC East. Before the season started, we predicted this would be yet another Bills division championship, but the Patriots emergence has surprised many around the league. Having to go on the road against the Patriots in the playoffs may be in the future for the Bills.
#7 Jacksonville Jaguars - The Jaguars currently lead a slew of 5-4 teams competing for the final wild card spot in Liam Coen’s first season as a head coach. The Jaguars have a tough road ahead, with both games against the Colts remaining, a road game in Denver, and playing host to the Chargers this upcoming week. The Jaguars will need a strong finish to the season with the former AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs knocking on the door to the wild card at 5-4 as well.