NFL Playoffs 2019: Patriots, Steelers, Texans, Chiefs Or Chargers With Best Shot At Home-Field Advantage?

The AFC is loaded with elite teams, as five teams have a reasonable shot at owning the conference's best record to earn highly coveted home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Home-field advantage is crucial. The last time a team reached the Super Bowl without finishing with the AFC's best record was the Baltimore Ravens in 2012-13.

All five teams will be in action on Sunday. Some teams need a bit more luck than others over the next four weeks to finish atop the AFC.

Kansas City Chiefs (10-2)

It's pretty clear that Andy Reid's squad has the best shot to finish on top because they currently own the conference's best record and three of their next four games are at home.

But it won't be easy. With the exception of the Oakland Raiders in Week 17, all three of the Chiefs' opponents appear to be playoff-bound. It also doesn't help that they will be without leading rusher Kareem Hunt.

New England Patriots (9-3)

The Patriots have a decent shot. Tom Brady and Co. face a road test in Week 14 against the Miami Dolphins and then stay on the road to face the Pittsburgh Steelers, but end the season at home against the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets.

Neither the Bills nor the Jets will be walkovers, as both teams would love to spoil the Patriots' Super Bowl hopes.

Houston Texans (9-3)

The Texans have a better shot than some might think. Their tests will be Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts and on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles. On the road against the Jets isn't a walkover but they should have an easy time at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Houston has won nine games in a row, so they may be due for a letdown at some point.

Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4-1)

The Steelers are longshots because of their record and their schedule. But after dropping two close games, Mike Tomlin's squad is due for a winning streak. They also have extra motivation because the Ravens aren't too far behind.

Winning four straight will be extremely difficult, though Pittsburgh should get some momentum with a win over the Raiders on Sunday. Following that up with a home victory over the Patriots and then a road game against the New Orleans Saints, plus needing the Chiefs and others to lose out, will probably be too tough to manage.

Los Angeles Chargers (9-3)

The Chargers are a real longshot but they might be the hungriest team in this group. Philip Rivers has never come close to a Super Bowl so finishing the season strong is imperative.

But the schedule is daunting. Los Angeles should be able to earn a home win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, but road games against the Chiefs and a Denver Broncos squad that still has a shot at a playoff berth could spell trouble. A Week 16 matchup against the Ravens should be tough, as well.

Prediction: Chiefs