Time to start looking at the AFC playoff picture/wildcard race?

I know it's too early for this and there's not a ton of separation but we're going into the bye week at .500 and the Chargers are playing an NFC team right now so a good time to start rooting against some teams in the AFC. Obviously the division title would be ideal but this is assuming we are unable to catch the Jags.

3 wildcard spots in the AFC, I think it's safe to pencil in either the Dolphins or Bills to one of those spots so really there's 2 up for grabs.

The teams competing for those spots are the Browns 3-2, Steelers 3-2, Colts 3-3, Texans 3-3, Jets 3-3 Raiders 3-3, Bengals 3-3 and Chargers 2-2.

The teams in that race that I'm most worried about are the Browns, Bengals, and Chargers. The Raiders have Jimmy G who can't stay healthy and Hoyer as their backup, the Colts just lost their starting QB for the year and looked terrible this week, we have the tiebreaker on the Steelers and their offense is going to hold them back a lot, the Jets have a great defense but I just can't see them being able to sustain wins with Wilson at QB. Plus later this season we get the chance to beat the Jets for the tiebreaker and beat the Colts to split that series.

So out of the teams left over (Browns Bengals Chargers) I think the Bengals are going to run away with that 2nd spot. They started off slow as Burrow was playing injured but he looks healthy now and we know he's a top 5 QB when healthy, also their defense is playing surprisingly well. Another couple weeks of good play by them and I'm ready to put them solidly in that #2 wildcard.

That leaves us with the Browns and Chargers. The Browns have a weird situation at QB with whatever is going on with Watson. But their defense is off to one of the best starts that has ever been seen in the NFL and even meh QB play makes them a threat to win every week. The Chargers are the opposite, they have a suspect defense and a top QB which makes them a threat every week.

Rooting guide for next week (some of this according to my own opinions)

Bears over Raiders

Colts over Browns (I know I know but there's no right answer here)

Lions over Ravens

Patriots over Bills

Rams over Steelers

Chiefs over Chargers

Tonight it would be really nice to have the Cowboys pull this win off over the Chargers

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