Predicting the final record of the current AFC division leaders:
Note: The order of the teams is based on current playoff standings, not the final projected standings, which we will cover at the end.
1. Baltimore Ravens:
The Baltimore Ravens are currently the top seed in the AFC but have escaped some ugly wins that they probably should not have won. The Chiefs beat themselves early in the season to give Baltimore the win, it took a record-setting field goal to beat the Lions, they barely beat the Colts in overtime and they beat the Browns despite throwing four interceptions in Week 12.
The Ravens are 4-0 in those games when they should have lost at least one, if not two. The 8-3 Ravens could easily be 7-4 or even 6-5. The Ravens have a really tough schedule to end the season with two Steelers games, the Browns, Bengals, Packers and Rams. I have them going 3-3 in those final six, finishing with an 11-6 record.
2. New England Patriots
The New England Patriots are the hottest team in the league right now, winning six in a row to insert themselves as the second seed in the AFC. The Patriots have had some good wins in that span (such as the Chargers, Browns and Titans) but they have had some easy wins as well (Jets, Panthers and Falcons).
The Pats have both games against the Bills remaining as well as a tough game against the Indianapolis Colts in Indy. I have the Patriots losing one of the two Bills games as well as the Colts game, finishing with an 11-6 record.
3. Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans just are not the same without Derrick Henry. They dropped a really ugly game against the Houston Texans and then were blown out by the Patriots in Week 12. While they beat the Rams without Henry, the Rams also started their downhill spiral in that game and it Titans won because of two pick-sixes, not because of the offense.
The Titans' remaining schedule has a mixture of tough games and easy games. The Jaguars should be an automatic win and there is no way that the Titans lose to the Texans again. However, they also have three games that could legitimately go either way against the Steelers, 49ers and Dolphins. With how they have played recently, I have them going 3-2 and finishing with an 11-6 record (again!?).
4. Kansas City Chiefs
Everyone was wondering what was wrong with the Kansas City Chiefs and they have since won four in a row and probably have not gotten the recognition they deserve. While they still haven't been as good offensively, they have been able to win games at whatever cost necessary.
Before Week 12 I liked the Chargers' chances to beat the Chiefs at SoFi Stadium. With how volatile the Chargers have been, the Chiefs are the pick there. The remaining schedule for the Chiefs is pretty easy with two games against Denver, a game against Las Vegas, a game against Cincinnati and a game against the Steelers.
The Chiefs turn it on, and quite frankly, I don't see them losing another game this season and have them finishing 13-4.