(By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. AP Pro Football Writer) – Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are already in the NFL playoffs and that’s no surprise for the defending Super Bowl champions. Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers are undefeated no more but they’re also on the verge of clinching an AFC spot. After that there are plenty of other contenders who might have something to say about the conference being just a top-heavy twosome.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes thows against the Denver Broncos in the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel )

Buffalo and Cleveland are 9-3 with Tennessee, Miami and Indianapolis all 8-4. Baltimore and Las Vegas are still in the mix at 7-5. And it’s never smart to count out a Bill Belichick-coached New England team at 6-6.