NFL standings 2016: The Raiders are the new leaders in the AFC

The Chiefs’ loss to the Buccaneers created some movement in the AFC West.

Updated Nov 22, 2016, 5:22 AM UTC

Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Jeanna Kelley has been covering the Falcons for The Falcoholic since 2011 and the NFL for SB Nation since 2015.

There was a slight shakeup in the AFC West on Sunday when the Kansas City Chiefs lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, paving the way for the Oakland Raiders to move into the No. 1 spot in the division.

That spot was solidified on Monday Night Football, when the Raiders faced off against the Houston Texans in Mexico City. With their 27-20 win, the Raiders now own sole possession of first place in the division, as well as in the AFC. Oakland own the tiebreaker over the Patriots based on best win percentage in common games.

It’s been a tight race in the AFC West, with the Raiders, Chiefs and Denver Broncos all in contention for the division crown. For now, Oakland sits at 8-2, and the Broncos and Chiefs are both 7-3. The Chargers bring up the rear in the division with a 4-6 record.

The Patriots still hold the top spot in the AFC, and at 8-2, New England has the second-best record in the NFL. The Miami Dolphins, though, quietly added a fifth win to its active streak on Sunday, beating the Los Angeles Rams 14-10. New England is typically the class of the AFC, and it’s difficult to imagine Miami overtaking the Patriots, but with the Dolphins just two games back, it’s still possible.

The Buffalo Bills aren’t out of contention in the AFC East at 5-5, but with the way the Dolphins are rolling, Buffalo may have a difficult time catching up to them. The New York Jets are struggling, and with a 3-7 record, they’re unlikely to get to the postseason in a competitive division.

The AFC South is another close race, with the Texans currently in the lead at 6-4. The loss to the Raiders narrows their lead to just one game, though.

The Indianapolis Colts (5-5) pulled off a win over the Tennessee Titans (5-6), but the top of the AFC South is still within reach for both the Colts and the Titans. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ postseason hopes are evaporating, as a loss on Sunday to the Detroit Lions left the Jags at 2-8.

The AFC North is another close division race. The Ravens on top at 5-5, but the Pittsburgh Steelers also at 5-5. Baltimore currently has the edge because it owns the head-to-head tiebreaker. The Bengals are 3-6-1, and making it to the playoffs will be a little more challenging for Cincinnati after losing wide receiver A.J. Green to a hamstring injury and running back Giovani Bernard to a torn ACL in Sunday’s loss to the Bills.

The Browns became the first team to be eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday thanks to an 0-11 record and a 24-9 loss to the Steelers.

Here’s a look at the current playoff standings in the AFC: