Halfway through the 2009-10 NFL campaign, the league has arranged itself into a caste system of which ancient India would be proud. The Brahmins of the league — the New Orleans Saints (8-0), Indianapolis Colts (8-0) and Minnesota Vikings (8-0) — sit firmly atop the football totem pole, dispatching most of their opponents with relative ease. The Untouchables — the Kansas City Chiefs (1-7), Cleveland Browns (1-7), St. Louis Rams (1-7), Detroit Lions (1-7) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-7), Oakland Raiders (2-6) and Washington Redskins (2-6) — are putrid, losing almost all of their games in abject fashion. Between them sits a vast clump of teams of middling quality, most of which still stand a fighting chance at making the playoffs should the chips fall their way in the next eight weeks of the season. Here is how I see the rest of the year shaping up in the AFC; the NFC will come in two weeks.

AFC East: At 6-2, the New England Patriots are in the driver’s seat in this division. Their early offensive kinks have been largely worked out and their defense is gelling nicely, as Bill Belichick-coached defenses are wont to do. November will be a rough month for them, as they play both the Saints and Colts on the road. If they weather those storms and take care of business in the division, they will make the playoffs, perhaps even with a bye. The New York Jets (4-4) have been alternately inspiring and maddening this season. They could easily be 7-1. If their offense plays more consistently and they avoid devastating special teams woes, they could upset the Patriots at Foxboro and make a run at the playoffs. They are probably a year away, however. The Miami Dolphins (3-5) have looked great at times, but can’t perform in the clutch against anyone but the Jets. They could sneak into a crowded wild card race, but it’s unlikely. Finally, it’s astonishing that the Buffalo Bills’ (3-5) record is as good as it is. For their final record, multiply both the “wins” and “losses” terms by two.

AFC West: Some people still aren’t sold on the Denver Broncos (6-2) as a playoff team. While quarterback Kyle Orton remains Kyle Orton, I’d advise the doubters to take a gander at the Broncos’ remaining schedule. They play four games against the Redskins, Raiders and Chiefs (twice). If they’re any worse than 10-6 at season’s end, I’d be surprised. I find the San Diego Chargers (5-3) incredibly unconvincing as a team, despite their glut of strong skill players. Once more, however, I wouldn’t bet against them. They have a supremely easy schedule to come. If they don’t make the playoffs, the Norv Turner era should come to an end in San Diego. As for the Oakland Raiders (2-6) and Kansas City Chiefs (1-7), you might have a shot at an 8-8 season if you put the best players from those two teams together.

AFC North: I think this may be the best division in football. The Cincinnati Bengals (6-2) have discovered the concept of defense, and found it to be to their liking. If said defense does not revert to historical “Bungles” form, they should wrap up a wild card berth at least. Though they sit in second place right now, the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) are the class of the division. Their defense remains as airtight as ever, and they seem to have found a solid running back in halfback Rashard Mendenhall. Looking at their schedule, this team might not lose for the rest of the season. The Baltimore Ravens (4-4) look pedestrian at .500, but their losses have come against teams with a combined record of 25-7. Their schedule doesn’t get much easier with two games against the Steelers, so they might end up as one of the best 8-8 teams in recent memory. The Cleveland Browns (1-7), for their part, seem to be mostly engaged in trying to find out whether quarterback Derek Anderson can go for an entire game without completing a pass. Stay tuned.

AFC South: The Indianapolis Colts (8-0) are firing on all cylinders right now. They certainly look like the class of the AFC right now, but I wouldn’t necessarily bet the house on them in the playoffs given their inconsistent history in January. The Houston Texans (5-4), meanwhile, are an intriguing team that has been getting better all season. They were a botched field goal away from taking the Colts to overtime on Sunday, and they should finish over .500. I’m not sure they’re a playoff team this year, but next year I’d pencil them in for certain. The Jacksonville Jaguars (4-4) have quietly slipped into contention behind a very capable rushing attack led by halfback Maurice Jones-Drew. They could go 9-7, but are a long shot for the playoffs. The Tennessee Titans (2-6) may be the best 2-6 team in football history, but their hole is too deep to escape this season.

Playoff Picks: East: Patriots (11-5) West: Broncos (11-5) North: Steelers (13-3) South: Colts (14-2) Wild Card: Bengals (11-5) Chargers (10-6)

Wild Card Playoffs: Chargers over Broncos; Patriots over Bengals

Divisional Playoffs: Colts over Chargers; Steelers over Patriots

AFC Championship: Steelers over Colts.