NFL Playoff Picture 2018: Patriots, Chiefs, Chargers, Texans In Race For AFC's No.1 Seed, Home-Field

There’s still a lot to be decided in the 2018 NFL playoff picture as we head into Week 17, and most of the questions are in the AFC. We don’t know three division winners or which two teams will win the wild-card spots, and both first-round byes are up for grabs.

Four teams are still in contention to land the conference’s No.1 seed. The Kansas City Chiefs (11-4), New England Patriots (10-5), Los Angeles Chargers (11-4) and Houston Texans (10-5) all have a chance to secure home-field advantage until the Super Bowl.

Kansas City and Los Angeles are fighting for the AFC West title. Houston is trying to hold off the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans to clinch the AFC South. New England clinched the AFC East in Week 16.

Here’s a look at how each contender can land the No.1 seed in the AFC:

Kansas City Chiefs

With a one-game lead atop the AFC standings and the tiebreaker in the AFC West over the Chargers, all the Chiefs have to do is win the season finale to clinch the No.1 seed. Kansas City hosts the Oakland Raiders Sunday afternoon.

If the Chiefs lose to the Raiders, they need the Chargers, Patriots and Texans all to lose in order to keep the top seed. A tie for New England or Houston would also do the trick.

Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers need to have a better Week 17 than the Chiefs. That means if Kansas City loses, a win or a tie for Los Angeles would give L.A. both the AFC West title and the No.1 seed. If the Chiefs tie the Raiders, the Chargers need a win.

L.A. will visit the Denver Broncos in Week 17. The results of the games involving the Patriots and Texans won’t affect the Chargers’ seed.

New England Patriots

The Patriots need to beat the New York Jets at home to still be in play for the No.1 seed when the 4 o’clock games begin. Then they would need both the Chiefs and Chargers to lose their respective contests.

New England owns the tiebreaker over Houston. If the Patriots win, the Texans can't pass them.

Houston Texans

No team that’s in contention for the No.1 seed needs more help than Houston. Like the Patriots, the Texans have to win their game for a shot at landing home-field advantage. Houston will host the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Texans need the Patriots to lose or tie. Houston needs losses from both Kansas City and Los Angeles.