NFL Standings 2021: Steelers, Colts On Edge Of Playoff Picture, Chiefs, Patriots Vying For Top Seed

The AFC playoff picture managed to get even tighter in Week 11 of the 2021 NFL season. Four teams are separated by just one game at the top of the standings. The No. 5 through No. 12 seeds are all within one game of each other, as well.

The No. 1 seed Tennessee Titans (8-3) were upset by the Houston Texans (2-8), who entered the week with the conference’s worst record. That opened the door for the division-leading Baltimore Ravens (7-4), New England Patriots (7-4) and Kansas City Chiefs (7-4) to improve their chances of getting the coveted first-round playoff bye.

New England has sole possession of first place in the AFC East for the first time this season. The Patriots extended their winning streak to five games by shutting out the Atlanta Falcons (4-6) on “Thursday Night Football.”

The Buffalo Bills (6-4) relinquished their spot atop the division with a 41-15 loss at the hands of the Indianapolis Colts (6-5). Buffalo dropped to the No. 7 seed in the conference. As the No. 9 seed, the Colts trail the Bills by a half-game for the AFC’s final playoff berth.

The Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4-1) are sandwiched in between Buffalo and Indianapolis in the wild-card race. Pittsburgh fell out of the latest playoff picture with a 41-37 loss against the Los Angeles Chargers (6-4) Sunday night.

Los Angeles is the No. 6 seed and a game behind Kansas City for first place in the AFC West.

The Chiefs have climbed back up the standings after a rough first half of the season. By defeating the Dallas Cowboys (7-3) in Week 11, the reigning conference champs are back to being the betting favorites to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.

The Las Vegas Raiders (5-5) are on a three-game losing streak and quickly falling out of the AFC West race. Las Vegas was defeated in Week 11 by the Cincinnati Bengals (6-4), who are the No. 5 seed with seven games left on the schedule.

The Cleveland Browns (6-5) are the No. 10 seed after holding off the winless Detroit Lions (0-9-1). The Denver Broncos (5-5) are the No. 12 seed after their bye week.