The New England Patriots may be the best team in the NFL, especially over the last five games. They've beaten four top 10 teams in the last five including the Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets and Chicago Bears. They played like the best team in Chicago on Sunday as they dismantled the Bears, 36-7.
In doing so, the Patriots clinched the first playoff berth of the 2010 NFL season. Quite an accomplishment considering there's still three weeks to play.
The KC Chiefs like the like Patriots lead their division. Had the Chiefs won against the San Diego Charger on Sunday, they would have had the opportunity to win the division next week. Now? They're just battling to be part of the playoffs. The Chiefs are currently holding a one-game lead over the Chargers in the AFC West so if they win out they'll win the division.
It looks like the Patriots are going to get the top seed in the playoffs if they keep winning. Here's how things are looking now (with Baltimore's game Monday night to come):
1. New England Patriots (AFC East)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (AFC North)
3. Kansas City Chiefs (AFC West)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (AFC South)
5. New York Jets (wildcard)
6. Baltimore Ravens (wildcard)
A Baltimore victory against the Houston Texans Monday night would push them ahead of the Jets since they won the head to head tiebreaker but they would both get in.