NFL Playoff Picture: Miami move in as Patriots continue to drop

The NFL playoff picture for the AFC saw some huge performances this last week. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs dismantled Pittsburgh, Josh Allen and the Bills did a number on the Patriots, and Joe Burrow had a career day as he hung 41 points on the Ravens.

All of the results make for interesting viewing when looking at the current playoff picture after several teams made moves.

SK takes an in-depth look at the AFC Playoff Bracket.

AFC playoff picture: How do the teams rank?

The Kansas City Chiefs remain the number one seed in the AFC

# 1- Kansas City Chiefs (11-4)

This week: 36-10 W v Steelers
Top performer: Byron Pringle (6 rec, 75 yards, 2 TDs)
Next Week: Sunday @ Bengals (1 pm ET, CBS)

The Chiefs are hitting their straps at the perfect time. A blowout win over the Steelers signaled to the rest of the AFC that Patrick Mahomes is back to his best.

"Excuse me! Excuse me!!" -@pringle_byron, probably

📺: #PITvsKC on CBS https://t.co/wZAryfHOI5

The Chiefs now have a good running game with Darrel Williams and Derrick Gore. Clearly, this team will be hard to stop in the playoffs.

#2- Tennessee Titans (10-5)

This week: 20-17 W v 49ers
Top performer: A.J. Brown (11 rec, 145 yards, 1 TD)
Next week: Sunday v Dolphins, (1 pm ET, CBS)

It was a game of two halves against the 49ers. Ryan Tannehill & Co were poor in the first half as they were held scoreless.

Going back through AJ Brown's performance (11-145-1 TD) vs 49ers

Crazy stretch of rec after not catching a pass until 7:30 left in 2Q

Five(!!) straight 3rd down conversions

3rd & 3
3rd & 7
3rd & 10
3rd & 23
3rd & 10

Chain Mover

Capped by this 18-yard needle from Tannehill https://t.co/NxMhvG4VH3

However, an improved second half came on the back of AJ Brown, who tore the 49ers defense apart to protect the Titans' number two seed in the AFC. It remains to be seen whether Derrick Henry will return or not, but he will Tennessee make a deep playoff push.

#3- Cinncinati Bengals (9-6)

This week: 41-21 W v Ravens
Top performer: Joe Burrow (525 pass yards, 4 TDs)
Next week: Sunday v Chiefs (1 pm ET, CBS)

The Bengals tore a poor Ravens team to pieces with their passing game. While Baltimore were decimated by injuries, it was still an incredible performance from the Bengals.

WHAT A GAME BY JOE BURROW 😤

The fourth most passing yards in a game in NFL history. https://t.co/3RgCcoPXXr

Joe Burrow made history with 525 passing yards as he torched the Ravens secondary. Tee Higgins (12 rec, 194 yards, 2 TDs) and Ja'Marr Chase (7 rec, 125 yards) had huge days thanks to Burrow.

#4- Buffalo Bills (9-6)

This week: 33-21 W v Patriots
Top performer: Josh Allen (314 pass yards, 3 TDs)
Next week: Sunday v Falcons (1 pm ET, FOX)

Josh Allen and the Bills got revenge for their loss to the Patriots a couple of weeks ago with a commanding performance. Isaiah McKenzie had a huge day with 11 receptions, 125 yards and a touchdown in the win.

Isaiah. McKenzie. 👏 https://t.co/Yhdw0cGQMc

Mac Jones has officially hit a rookie wall. After back-to-back losses, the Patriots are suddenly dropping down the seedings with each passing week.

#5- Indianapolis Colts (9-6)

This week: 22-16 W v Cardinals
Top performer: Jonathan Taylor (27 carries, 108 yards)
Next week: Sunday v Raiders (1 pm ET, FOX)

Perhaps the most underrated team in the entire NFL, the Colts just keep winning. Their last two victories over the Patriots and the Cardinals suggest they will become a problem come playoff time.

When it mattered most. 🙌 https://t.co/dLpfV7MNpc

With Jonathan Taylor running wild in the backfield, the Colts are proving to be a tough nut to crack along with their stout defense. They now have a good chance to make a deep playoff run.

#6- New England Patriots (9-6)

This week: 33-21 L v Bills
Top performer: Damien Harris ( 18 carries, 103 yards, 3 TDs)
Next week: Sunday v Jaguars (1 pm ET, CBS)

The Patriots are officially in a slump. Consecutive defeats to the Colts and Bills have shown that New England can also be vulnerable. After seemingly being invincible just a couple of weeks ago, a few weaknesses are starting to show.

Damien Harris spent his Boxing Day in the end zone. #HaveADay

@DHx34 | @Patriots https://t.co/03VDybxylP

Mac Jones is having the worst two-game stretch of his young career as he missed throws and looked out of sorts. A huge game against the Jaguars lies up next with a chance to steady the ship.

#7 - Miami Dolphins (8-7)

This week: 20-3 W v Saints
Top performer: Jaylen Waddle (10 rec, 92 yards, 1 TD)
Next week: Sunday @ Titans (1 pm ET, CBS)

Tua Tagovailoa has helped the Dolphins into the playoffs as the number seven seed after seven consecutive wins. The defense played its part against a rookie quarterback in Ian Book in the dominant win.

Jaylen and the whole squad doing the Waddle 🐧 @D1__JW #FinsUp

📺: #MIAvsNO on ESPN
📱: bit.ly/3Fw24IJ https://t.co/nC5WnDVYJw

Starting the year 1-6, Miami have won out so far. Surprisingly, they also have a wildcard spot. Two tough games against the Titans and the Patriots to finish will make or break the Dolphins and their playoff push. So far, they have witnessed a remarkable turnaround.

Current AFC Playoff Matchups

No. 1 Kansas City (bye)
No. 7 Miami @ No. 2 Tennessee
No. 6 New England @ No. 3 Cinncinatti
No. 5 Indianapolis @ No. 4 Buffalo

Also check out: New England Patriots Playoff History, Appearances, Wins and more