N.F.L. Sunday: The A.F.C.’s Last Two Berths Have Five Contenders
The New York Times
The Colts, Steelers, Ravens, Raiders and Chargers all have shots at the A.F.C.’s wild-card berths, while the 49ers and Rams matchup will determine the N.F.C.’s final postseason team.
For a generation of football fans, early January has meant the start of the N.F.L. playoffs. This year, thanks to the expanded, 17-game regular season, the postseason slate won’t be locked in until the end of the second weekend of 2022, where five A.F.C. teams will fight for the two remaining berths and the San Francisco 49ers need to win against the Los Angeles Rams for the final spot in the N.F.C.
The two games completed on Saturday went according to seed, keeping the winners alive for higher playoff seeding. Kansas City, which beat the Denver Broncos, kept itself in the running for the top seed in the A.F.C. and a first-round bye, and ended any long-shot chance that New England or Cincinnati might take the No. 1 seed for themselves.
But Kansas City needs the Tennessee Titans (11-5) to lose to the Houston Texans (4-12) Sunday, since the Titans hold the head-to-head advantage after beating the Chiefs in their Week 7 matchup.
