NFL Playoff Picture 2016: AFC - Jets loss gives Pittsburgh Steelers wild card spot

So much for the Ravens sweeping the Steelers and it knocking them out of the playoffs. Because the New York Jets couldn't handle their business against the Buffalo Bills, the Pittsburgh Steelers got to sneak into the postseason as the 6th seed.

After the Ravens beat the Steelers in week 16, Pittsburgh needed to not only win against the Cleveland Browns, but hope that the Buffalo Bills could beat up on the New York Jets. With the Jets playing for a final playoff spot and the Bills only playing to be spoilers, it was expected to be an uphill battle to get there. However, when the final whistle blew, the Bills had the lead 22-17, giving the Steelers exactly what they needed to punch their ticket into the postseason.

The AFC South division had also been unclaimed with none of the teams vying for a wild card berth, meaning that it all came down to the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans to fight it out. Houston in the lead, needed a win or a Colts loss to clinch. The Texans would go on to finish off the Jacksonville Jaguars 30-6 and possibly put Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley out of a job on the back of that effort.

The Chiefs had a spot locked up before now, but the various wins and losses this week will change their seeding and who they play in the first round of the playoffs.

Here are the current standings after the early games. So much could change so quickly.

AFC

1. (z) New England Patriots (12-4)
2. (y) Cincinnati Bengals (12-4)
3. (x) Denver Broncos (11-4)
4. (y) Houston Texans (9-7)
5. (x) Kansas City Chiefs (10-5)
6. (x) Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)

NFC

1. (z) Carolina Panthers (14-1)
2. (z) Arizona Cardinals (13-2)
3. (x) Green Bay Packers (10-5)
4. (y) Washington (9-7)
5. (x) Seattle Seahawks (9-6)
6. (x) Minnesota Vikings (10-5)

(z) - First-round bye
(y) - Division winner
(x) - Playoff berth