By Nick St. Denis
The New England Patriots can clinch the AFC East title with a victory over the Washington Redskins Sunday coupled with a New York Jets loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Either way, the Patriots are pretty much a lock to win the division, regardless.
The Jets (7-5) are currently battling with the Cincinnati Bengals (7-5), Tennessee Titans (7-5) and the Oakland Raiders (7-5) for the second Wildcard spot, though the Denver Broncos (7-5) are also in that mix, as they're leading the AFC West, which could also be won by the Broncos.
Jets' remaining schedule: vs. Kansas City Chiefs (5-7), at Philadelphia Eagles (4-8), vs. New York Giants (6-6), at Miami Dolphins (4-8).
Bengals' remaining schedule: vs. Houston Texans (9-3), at St. Louis Rams (2-10), vs. Arizona Cardinals (5-7), vs. Baltimore Ravens (9-3).
Titans' remaining schedule: vs. New Orleans Saints (9-3), at Indianapolis Colts (0-12), vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-9), at Texans (9-3).
Raiders' remaining schedule: at Green Bay Packers (12-0), vs. Detroit Lions (7-5), at Chiefs (5-7), vs. San Diego Chargers (5-7).
Broncos' remaining schedule: vs. Chicago Bears (7-5), vs. New England Patriots (9-3), at Buffalo Bills (5-7), vs. Chiefs (5-7).
The Jets and Broncos appear to have the most favorable schedules. The Bengals still have the Ravens, the Titans have the Saints and Texans, and the Raiders have the Packers and Chargers.
Denver and Oakland each have a win over the Jets, so New York would lose out if it was in a head-to-head tiebreaker with either team.
The Buffalo Bills are essentially out of the playoff race at 5-7, and the Miami Dolphins were never really in it.
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