AFC playoff race tightens after Ravens beat Browns in Monday night thriller

The AFC playoff picture became a lot murkier after the Baltimore Ravens’ wild 47-42 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Monday night.

The Miami Dolphins, who are currently holding down the final wild-card spot, may be on the outside looking in as they face a tougher schedule than the hard-charging Ravens. It now appears the Dolphins would have to win out to make their first playoff appearance since 2016 and just their second since 2008.

Clinched a playoff spot (There are 7 available spots)

1. Chiefs (12-1, 1st AFC West; Remaining schedule: at Saints, versus Falcons, versus Chargers)

2. Steelers (11-2, 1st AFC North; Remaining schedule: at Bengals, versus Colts, at Browns)

In the hunt (If season ended today, these teams would make playoffs)

3. Bills (10-3, 1st in AFC East; Remaining schedule: at Broncos, at Patriots, versus Dolphins)

4. Titans (9-4, 1st in AFC South; Remaining schedule: versus Lions, at Packers, at Texans)

5. Browns (9-4, 2nd in AFC North; Remaining schedule: at Giants, at Jets, versus Steelers)

6. Colts (9-4, 2nd in AFC South; Remaining schedule: versus Texans, at Steelers, versus Jaguars)

7. Dolphins (8-5, 2nd in AFC East; Remaining schedule: versus Patriots, at Raiders, at Bills)

NOTE: Dolphins (5-4 AFC) hold tiebreaker over Ravens (5-5 AFC) due to conference record.

On the bubble (These teams would be on the outside looking in)

8. Ravens (8-5, 3rd in AFC North; Remaining schedule: versus Jaguars, versus Giants, at Bengals)

9. Raiders (7-6, 2nd in AFC West; Remaining schedule: versus Chargers, versus Dolphins, at Broncos)

10. Patriots (6-7, 3rd AFC East; Remaining schedule: at Dolphins, versus Bills, versus Jets).

JOHN MCCALL/ SOUTH FLORIDASUN SENTINEL Dolphins defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah walks off the field after losing to the Chiefs on Sunday. The Dolphins’road to the playoffs has become a lot more difficult.