The Tennessee Titans had an ideal Sunday off following their double-digit win over the Green Bay Packers last Thursday night. Both of the AFC South teams that were playing on Sunday ended up losing their respective games.
The Houston Texans lost to the Washington Commanders by a score of 23-10, while the Indianapolis Colts lost a one-point thriller to the Philadelphia Eagles, 17-16.
The Jacksonville Jaguars, on the other hand, were off on their much-needed bye this past week.
- Tennessee Titans (7-3)
- Indianapolis Colts (4-6-1)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (3-7)
- Houston Texans (1-8-1)
These outcomes, combined with the Titans’ recent road victory, have resulted in Tennessee extending its division lead over Indianapolis by a whopping 3.5 games.
This essentially translates into a four-game lead for the Titans with just seven games left due to them owning the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Colts.
The Titans’ magic number is now four, which means any combination of Titans wins and Colts losses that equals up to four clinches the division.
So, Tennessee could clinch the division title as early as Week 13 if it wins its next two and Indianapolis loses its next two.
Unfortunately, the Titans’ path to the No. 1 seed isn’t nearly as simple. Let’s see where things stand in the AFC playoff picture going into Week 12, and why Tennessee is currently slotted where it is.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (8-2)
Week 12 opponent: vs. Los Angeles Rams
Thanks to their Week 9 win over the Titans, the Chiefs own the head-to-head tie-breaker, which means the Titans would have to finish one game better than Kansas City in order to get ahead of them in the playoff picture.
2. Miami Dolphins (7-3)
Week 12 opponent: vs. Houston Texans
Miami (.465) currently owns the strength of victory tie-breaker over Tennessee (.358) for the No. 2 seed.
3. Tennessee Titans (7-3)
Week 12 opponent: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Titans (5-2) currently own the win percentage in conference games tie-breaker over the Ravens (4-2). If the playoffs started today, Tennessee would draw the New England Patriots in the first round.
4. Baltimore Ravens (7-3)
Week 12 opponent: at Jacksonville Jaguars
5. Buffalo Bills (7-3)
Week 12 opponent: at Detroit Lions
6. New England Patriots (6-4)
Week 12 opponent: at Minnesota Vikings
7. Cincinnati Bengals (6-4)
Week 12 opponent: at Tennessee Titans
8. New York Jets (6-4)
Week 12 opponent: vs. Chicago Bears
9. Los Angeles Chargers (5-5)
Week 12 opponent: at Arizona Cardinals
10. Indianapolis Colts (4-6-1)
Week 12 opponent: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
11. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-7)
Week 12 opponent: vs. Baltimore Ravens
12. Las Vegas Raiders (3-7)
Week 12 opponent: at Seattle Seahawks
13. Cleveland Browns (3-7)
Week 12 opponent: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
14. Denver Broncos (3-7)
Week 12 opponent: at Carolina Panthers
15. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-7)
Week 12 opponent: at Indianapolis Colts
16. Houston Texans (1-8-1)
