The AFC wild-card picture was thrown into a chaotic crucible as Week 14 concluded, carving out a dangerous separation between the contenders and those sliding toward the elimination zone. On Sunday, there was tons of action and division-altering results.
The Buffalo Bills were the day's biggest winners, securing a critical 9-4 record after a thrilling win against the Cincinnati Bengals that placed them firmly in control of the No. 5 seed. The Bills' win over the Bengals moved them two games up on the next closest wild card team, allowing them to focus almost entirely on chasing the AFC East title instead of worrying about the rearview mirror. Their 9-4 record and favorable tiebreakers mean their path to the postseason for a seventh straight year is nearly guaranteed. Their remaining schedule is manageable enough that they are likely just one or two more victories away from officially punching their ticket, regardless of how the AFC East race resolves.
But the real drama intensified directly below them, where the Indianapolis Colts' heartbreaking loss — which included quarterback Daniel Jones tearing his Achilles — left the door wide open for the Houston Texans, setting the stage for a "must-win" Sunday Night showdown against the falling Kansas City Chiefs, a game that will decide who holds the final lifeline to the AFC playoffs.
On Sunday night, the Texans did not disappoint. The league's No. 1 scoring defense held Patrick Mahomes to only 160 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions in a 20-10 win as the Texans grabbed a wild card spot. Houston has rattled off five straight and might be the AFC's hottest team.
The other two current wild card spots are held by the Los Angeles Chargers (8-4) and the Indianapolis Colts (8-5). The Colts' loss to the Jaguars was catastrophic, costing them the AFC South lead and immediately dropping them into the final No. 7 seed. Crucially, the Colts also saw their starting quarterback injured, raising huge questions about their ability to finish the season strong and hold off the multiple 7-win teams fighting to knock them out.
Here's where the AFC wild card stands after Sunday night.
MORE: Updated NFL playoff picture after Week 14 results
AFC wild card standings
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 5* | Buffalo Bills | 9-4 |
| 6* | Los Angeles Chargers | 8-4 |
| 7* | Houston Texans | 8-5 |
| 8 | Indianapolis Colts | 8-5 |
| 9 | Kansas City Chiefs | 6-7 |
| 10 | Baltimore Ravens | 6-7 |
| 11 | Miami Dolphins | 6-7 |
| 12 | Cincinnati Bengals | 4-9 |
| 13 | New York Jets (eliminated) | 3-10 |
| 14 | Cleveland Browns (eliminated) | 3-10 |
| 15 | Las Vegas Raiders (eliminated) | 2-11 |
| 16 | Tennessee Titans (eliminated) | 2-11 |
*Wild card spot
The AFC wild card picture tightened significantly after the early games of Week 14, creating a clear top tier and pushing several former contenders to the brink. The most impactful result was the Bills' win over the Bengals, which moved them to a strong 9-4 record and solidified their position as the leading wild-card contender. Their path to the postseason is now highly favorable, regardless of the outcome of the AFC East division race with the Patriots.
The two other wild card spots are currently occupied by the 8-4 Los Angeles Chargers and the 8-5 Indianapolis Colts. The Colts' loss to the Jaguars was the most damaging; it not only cost them the AFC South division lead and dropped them into the precarious final Wild Card spot, but the Colts also lost quarterback Daniel Jones for the rest of the season with his achilles injury. Especially given the injury status of their starting quarterback.
The Texans officially announced themselves as a major AFC contender with a tough, physical 20-10 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football. The win was a defensive masterpiece, highlighted by the Texans' ability to stifle Patrick Mahomes — holding him scoreless in the first half and forcing three interceptions. The victory dramatically vaulted the Texans into a Wild Card spot at 8-5, while the defeat dropped the nine-time defending AFC West champion Chiefs to a shocking 6-7, ending their division reign and sinking their playoff chances into the single digits.
The final layer of the Wild Card race involves the Baltimore Ravens (6-7), and Miami Dolphins (6-7). The Ravens are in the same boat as the Chiefs, shocking many by being outside the playoff picture after 14 weeks. Baltimore suffered a major setback with a division loss to the Steelers, falling below.500 and making their Wild Card hopes remote; they must now focus on winning the AFC North.
Here's where the AFC wild card lies after Sunday night.
MORE: Texans make statement over Chiefs on 'Sunday Night Football'
Chargers remaining schedule
The Chargers sit at 8-4 going into their "Monday Night Football" contest with the defending champions, the Philadelphia Eagles.
| Week | Date | Opponent |
| 14 | 12/8 | vs. Eagles |
| 15 | 12/14 | at Chiefs |
| 16 | 12/21 | at Cowboys |
| 17 | 12/28 | vs. Texans |
| 18 | 01/04 | at Broncos |
MORE: Updated NFC playoff picture after Rams and Packers wins
Colts remaining schedule
Indianapolis suffered major blows both individually and as a team. The Colts no longer lead the AFC South and lost their quarterback in the process.
| Week | Date | Opponent |
| 15 | 12/14 | at Seahawks |
| 16 | 12/22 | vs. 49ers |
| 17 | 12/28 | vs. Jaguars |
| 18 | 01/04 | at Texans |
Texans remaining schedule
Houston has now won five straight games and sit in a prime spot to reach the postseason.
| Week | Date | Opponent |
| 15 | 12/14 | vs. Cardinals |
| 16 | 12/21 | vs. Raiders |
| 17 | 12/28 | at Chargers |
| 18 | 01/04 | vs. Colts |
Chiefs remaining schedule
The Chiefs sit at 6-7 and the nine-year reign of the AFC West is officially over. Kansas City's playoff chances are slim.
| Week | Date | Opponent |
| 15 | 12/14 | vs. Chargers |
| 16 | 12/21 | at Titans |
| 17 | 12/25 | vs. Broncos |
| 18 | 01/04 | at Raiders |
MORE: How Chiefs clinched the worst record in Patrick Mahomes era