NFL Playoffs 2022: Dolphins, Raiders, Patriots, Steelers, Other AFC Contenders’ Chances In Week 17

Only one AFC postseason berth has been clinched before Week 17, leaving 12 teams still in contention for the conference's six remaining spots in the 2022 NFL playoffs. Teams that once looked like their season might be over are now in the thick of the playoff hunt.

The Miami Dolphins took hold of the AFC’s No. 7 seed and the final wild-card spot with Monday night’s win over the New Orleans Saints. Miami extended its winning streak to seven games, which started when the Dolphins were 1-7 and given 500/1 Super Bowl odds.

Miami is behind the No. 6 seed Indianapolis Colts and No. 5 seed New England Patriots. Both teams are still alive in their divisional races, but they’ve got work to do to get into the final playoff bracket.

All three wild-card teams control their own playoff destiny. The No. 10 seed Las Vegas Raiders are the only team outside of the postseason bracket that can also win their final two games and make the postseason without any help.

Full post likely won't be out until Tuesday afternoon, but as a small taste, here is the team control table: pic.twitter.com/tYqejfVaH9
— NFLPlayoffScenarios (@NFLScenarios) December 28, 2021

Las Vegas has the same record as Miami and sits one game behind Indianapolis and New England. The Raiders visit Indianapolis in Week 17 and host the No. 9 seed Los Angeles Chargers in Week 18. Winning both games would give Las Vegas a wild-card spot.

The Raiders lost their fifth game in six tries in Week 14, falling to 6-7. Las Vegas has kept its playoff hopes alive with consecutive wins over the Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos, who are seeded No. 12 and No. 13, respectively.

The latest betting odds suggest that the No. 8 seed Baltimore Ravens and Chargers have a better chance to make the playoffs than Miami and Las Vegas. DraftKings Sportsbook gives the Ravens +150 postseason odds and the Chargers +140 odds to make the playoffs. The Dolphins and Raiders both have +400 odds.

The Patriots are -2000 favorites to make the playoffs. The Colts are considered virtual postseason locks at -3500.

Los Angeles ends the season at home against Denver and on the road in Las Vegas. The Chargers beat the Raiders earlier this season.

Baltimore has the same record as Miami and sits one game out of the AFC North race. The Ravens host the Los Angeles Rams and No. 11 seed Pittsburgh Steelers in their final two games. Baltimore loses a head-to-head tiebreaker with Miami and the Cincinnati Bengals, who sit atop the division.

The Dolphins end the season against two playoff teams, set to visit the Tennessee Titans and host the Patriots. The Steelers host the Browns in Week 17 before visiting Baltimore.

Pittsburgh is a +700 long shot to make the playoffs.