KC Chiefs clinch spot in 2014 NFL playoffs, keep AFC West title hopes alive

It's official: The Kansas City Chiefs will be in the dance. The KC Chiefs on Sunday clinched a spot in the 2014 NFL playoffs. You read that right: The Chiefs clinched a playoff spot in Week 15!

The Chiefs had three ways they could clinch a playoff spot this weekend -- 1.) Chiefs win OR 2.) Dolphins loss OR 3.) Ravens loss.

The Dolphins barely beat the Patriots on Sunday, so the Chiefs had to do it themselves to clinch a spot. They beat (embarrassed?) the Raiders to clinch at a Wild Card spot. The Chiefs remain behind the Denver Broncos (also 11-3) in the AFC West race because the Broncos own the tiebreaker over the Chiefs due to two head-to-head wins. The Chiefs would need to finish a game better than the Broncos to win the division title.

The two Wild Card teams are the 5th and 6th seeds in the playoffs while the division winners occupy seeds 1-4. The Chiefs are possibly on their way to the 5th spot depending on what happens down the stretch, with the division title still a possibility.

There were two teams entering Sunday's games who could catch the Chiefs -- the Dolphins and Ravens, both at 7-6. The Chiefs win means means that the worst record KC could have is 11-5. Neither the Dolphins nor Ravens could get to 11 wins so KC clinched at least one of those playoff spots.

This is how the playoff picture looks right now, with most of Week 15 done:

1. Denver Broncos (11-3) ... lost to Chargers on Thursday night

2. New England Patriots (10-4) ... lost to Dolphins

3. Cincinnati Bengals (9-4) ... play Steelers on Sunday Night Football

4. Indianapolis Colts (9-5) ... beat Texans

5. Kansas City Chiefs (11-3) ... beat Raiders

6. Miami Dolphins (8-6) ... beat Patriots

Please send your thanks to The Phinsider for taking one for the team today.

But now, time to celebrate! Playoffs, baby!

via @LSUFreek