AFC playoff picture entering Week 14

With only four weeks to go, we’re officially in the midst of the NFL 2015 stretch run, and teams are jockeying for playoff position.

Starting now, and continuing through the final determination of the playoff field, BSN Denver will be sizing up and breaking down the American Football Conference playoff field on a weekly basis.

We kick things off with a gander at the AFC picture entering Week 14. Don’t commit too much to memory, though, because if we’ve learned anything at all about the NFL, it’s that things change — and fast.

Anyway:

No. 1 seed: Cincinnati Bengals (10-2)

• Remaining schedule: Steelers, at 49ers, at Broncos, vs. Ravens
• On the line this week: A win over Pittsburgh on Sunday puts the wraps on Cincy’s second AFC North title in the last three seasons. The Bengals also clinch a playoff spot with a loss by either the Jets or Chiefs.

No. 2 seed: Denver Broncos (10-2)

• Remaining schedule: Raiders, at Steelers, vs. Bengals, vs. Chargers
• On the line this week: The Orange & Blue win the AFC West for a fifth straight year with a victory over the Raiders on Sunday and a Chiefs’ loss or tie. The Broncos also can wrap up a postseason berth with a win plus a Jets’ loss or tie or Steelers’ loss or tie.

No. 3 seed: New England Patriots (10-2)

• Remaining schedule: at Texans, vs. Titans, at Jets, at Dolphins
• On the line this week: The Patriots can clinch their seventh consecutive AFC East crown numerous ways this week, with the clearest path being a win plus a Jets’ loss or tie. New England seals a playoff berth with a win, a Steelers’ loss or a Jets’ loss

No. 4 seed: Indianapolis Colts (6-6)

• Remaining schedule: at Jaguars, vs. Texans, at Dolphins, vs. Titans
• On the line this week: No clinching scenarios, but they can gain a game on the 6-6 Texans with a win and a Houston loss.

No. 5 seed: Kansas City Chiefs (7-5)

• Remaining schedule: Chargers, at Ravens, vs. Browns, vs. Raiders
• On the line this week: With six straight wins, K.C. is the hottest NFL team outside of Carolina and Arizona and needs a win to stay in front of the tight wild-card pack. Things are set up quite nicely, though, for the Chiefs as their remaining opponents have a combined record of 14-34.

No. 6 seed: New York Jets (7-5)

• Remaining schedule: Titans, at Cowboys, vs. Patriots, at Bills
• On the line this week: There’s no room for error here as the Jets have a finger hold on the last playoff spot thanks to their half-game-better conference record (5-4) than the Steelers’ 4-4 mark.

In the hunt: Steelers (7-5), Bills (6-6), Texans (6-6), Raiders (5-7), Dolphins (5-7), Jaguars (4-8), Ravens (4-8), Chargers (3-9), Titans (3-9)

Eliminated: Browns (2-10)

If the season ended today: Wild-card round — (3) Patriots vs. (6) Jets, (4) Colts vs. (5) Chiefs. Divisional round — (1) Bengals vs. Colts, Chiefs or Jets; (2) Broncos vs. Patriots, Colts or Chiefs