2021 NFL Playoff Picture Week 14 - 5 AFC teams battling for the wild card spots

Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets

#3 - Buffalo Bills, 7-5

So much for the Buffalo Bills being top NFL contenders in the AFC. They are now two wins behind the New England Patriots in their own division after losing Monday night in what was supposed to be favorable weather for the home squad.

The Bills are now 7-5, clinging to the final wild card spot in the AFC. They now have to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road.

The Bills are in a tough spot because they have already lost to Tennessee, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh. So if it comes down to a head-to-head tiebreaker against any of the three, Buffalo are in trouble. The fact they are even in this position right now is a major concern for their title pursuit.

#2 - Cincinnati Bengals, 7-5

The Cincinnati Bengals are one of the most confusing teams in the NFL. Yet somehow they sit at 7-5 and in the AFC's sixth spot this week. They are confusing because one week they will blow out the Baltimore Ravens, only to lose to the New York Jets next week. It does not make much sense.

The problem is the fact that the Bengals are still a young NFL team. Joe Burrow is in his first full season, and their top receiver, Ja'Marr Chase, is a rookie. Combine that with a full roster learning how to win, and it explains the rollercoaster season up to this point.

One bummer for Bengals fans was their team losing last Sunday to the Los Angeles Chargers. It came one week after destroying the Steelers, which fits with the theme of the Bengals' season. You never really know what you are going to get.

#1 - Los Angeles Chargers, 7-5

The Los Angeles Chargers jumped into the top wild card spot after taking down the Bengals last week. The win also has the Chargers only one game behind Kansas City in the AFC West division. The Chargers also won their first meeting, and the two teams meet again in a few weeks.

The Chargers are like the Bengals in that they are being guided by a young NFL quarterback. Justin Herbert threw for three touchdowns against Cincinnati after the offense only scored 13 points a week prior against Denver.

The Chargers still have the New York Giants and the Houston Texans on their schedule, and those look like two easy wins right there. Their showdown with the Chiefs will ultimately determine if they can win the division, or if clinging to the top Wild Card spot is their best chance for the NFL postseason.

This represents a good progression for a team that went 7-9 in 2020 after going 5-11 the year before. But the losses allowed them to get Herbert in the NFL Draft, and that has worked out in a fantastic way after moving on from Philip Rivers. Fans are now excited about the heights the new franchise quarterback can reach in his career.