NFL Playoffs predictions for AFC: Bills, Jaguars win divisions, Texans grab final berth
The NFL Playoffs are almost here, but some postseason seeding and berths are still up for grabs in Week 18 of the NFL regular season schedule.
Which teams will seize the moment and make the postseason with their performances in Saturday and Sunday's games?
We predict the NFL playoff bracket and NFL postseason field for the AFC based on our NFL Week 18 game picks and predictions for the 16 games this week, with a team that went 3-13-1 last season getting a big win on the road this week to secure the final spot in the AFC playoffs.
Agree with our postseason prediction for the AFC? Do you think it will play out differently?
NFL Playoffs predictions for NFC: Surprise team sneaks into postseason after NFL Week 18 upsets
NFL Week 18 picks: Steelers at Ravens | Texans at Colts | Falcons at Saints | Browns at Bengals | Jaguars at Titans | Vikings at Lions | Jets at Patriots | Buccaneers at Panthers | Bears at Packers | Chiefs at Chargers | Eagles at Giants | Cowboys at Commanders | Broncos at Raiders | Rams at 49ers | Seahawks at Cardinals | Bills at Dolphins | Power rankings | Playoffs: AFC | NFC | Odds | TV
NFL Playoffs prediction: AFC Playoff seeds
No. 1 Baltimore Ravens (13-4) - AFC North winner
The Ravens have locked up the No. 1 seed in the AFC Playoffs and the bye that comes with it. We're predicting that they will rest some key players against the Steelers this week, allowing Pittsburgh to get the win on Saturday.
More: Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens picks, predictions, odds: Who wins in NFL Week 18?
No. 2 Buffalo Bills (11-6) - AFC East winner
The Bills have won four straight entering the Sunday Night Football showdown with the Miami Dolphins, with the winner winning the AFC East. We're going with the team from Buffalo to take the game, and the division, vaulting from No. 6 in the AFC playoff picture to No. 2.
More: Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins picks, predictions, odds: Who wins NFL Week 18 game?
No. 3 Kansas City Chiefs (10-7) - AFC West winner
The Chiefs are locked into the No. 3 seed in the postseason and will likely rest key players against the Chargers in Week 18, leading to a Los Angeles victory as Kansas City tried to get rested and ready for another postseason run.
More: Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers picks, predictions: Who wins NFL Week 18 game?
No. 4 Jacksonville Jaguars (10-7) - AFC South winner
The Jaguars need to beat the Titans to lock up the AFC South title and the home game that comes with it in the first round of the NFL Playoffs. If they can't beat the Titans in Week 18, they don't deserve it. We think they will do enough to win.
More: Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans picks, predictions: Who wins NFL Week 18 game?
No. 5 Cleveland Browns (12-5) - Wild Card
The Browns are also locked into this seed as the top Wild Card, behind the Ravens in the AFC North. We expect them to rest in Week 18 as well, giving the Bengals a chance to end the season with a victory.
More: Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals picks, predictions, odds: Who wins in NFL Week 18?
No. 6 Miami Dolphins (11-6) - Wild Card
The Dolphins could end up limping into the season after getting destroyed by the Ravens in Week 17 and with our prediction of them losing to the Bills in Week 18. If that happens, they will fall from No. 2 to No. 6 in the AFC playoff picture.
More: NFL Week 18 predictions, win probabilities for Dolphins vs. Bills, other NFL Week 18 games
No. 7 Houston Texans (10-7) - Wild Card
The winner of the Texans vs. Colts game makes the playoffs. The Colts are currently in position for that final AFC playoff berth, but we're predicting that C.J. Stroud and the Texans will win in Indianapolis to become the second AFC South team in the postseason, lifting Houston from its current position at No. 8.
More: Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts picks, predictions, odds: Who wins NFL Week 18 game?
NFL Playoffs prediction: AFC Wild-Card matchups
No. 7 Houston Texans at No. 2 Buffalo Bills
If this prediction happens, we can't help but think that the Bills, who will have a 5-game winning streak will be a huge favorite over the Texans in Buffalo.
AFC playoff picture Week 18: Jaguars, Bills, Colts, Texans, Steelers in postseason hunt
No. 6 Miami Dolphins at No. 3 Kansas City Chiefs
The Dolphins only have one win over a team with a winning record this season entering Week 18 and lost to the Chiefs in Week 9, 21-14. It's hard to imagine a rematch playing out differently.
Who will win 2024 Super Bowl? San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens favored before Week 18
No. 5 Cleveland Browns at No. 4 Jacksonville Jaguars
Might have to have some popcorn ready for this one, should it happen. The Browns beat the Jaguars in Cleveland in Week 14, 31-27. This game would be in Jacksonville, if the Jaguars win in Week 18.
Click here to see the current AFC playoff picture, including playoff clinching scenarios for each team still in NFL postseason contention in the conference.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: NFL Playoffs predictions for AFC: Postseason bracket after NFL Week 18
