NFL playoff picture: Kansas City Chiefs tiebreakers could come into play

If the playoffs started this afternoon the Kansas City Chiefs would be IN. But that's only because the Miami Dolphins play the Jets on Monday night. A Miami win would bump the Chiefs out of the current playoff picture. A loss by the Dolphins would keep the Chiefs where they are currently in the sixth and final playoff spot.

You'll need to read the tiebreakers regarding the Chiefs and Dolphins situation. And here is ESPN's playoff picture.

The Chiefs did beat the Dolphins head to head but it's not that easy in this particular situation. When breaking a tie between multiple teams for the Wild Card in this particular scenario, the AFC conference record would be applied and the Dolphins would have a 6-3 record in the AFC with a win, better than the Chiefs 5-4 AFC record.

The bottom line for tonight: a Dolphins win puts them ahead of the Chiefs; a Dolphins loss keeps the Chiefs in the sixth playoff spot.

We're getting a little ahead of ourselves though. There are still four more games left this season. The Chiefs play at the Cardinals, Raiders, at the Steelers and host the Chargers. Meanwhile, San Diego plays a bitch of a schedule: Patriots, Broncos, at 49ers, at Chiefs. The Dolphins have five more games remaining including tonight against the Jets, hosting the Ravens and visiting the Patriots before ending with the Vikings and Jets again. It's possible the Chiefs are hoping the J-E-T-S beat the Dolphins in the final game of the season. The Ravens and Steelers, who the Chiefs play in Week 16, will also factor into this as we go.

If this comes down to multiple teams for the Wild Card, the Chiefs AFC record will be key. Right now, they are 5-4 in the AFC, Miami is 5-3 in the AFC and the Steelers are 6-3 in the AFC. The Ravens have a 3-5 conference record.

1. New England Patriots (9-3)

2. Denver Broncos (9-3)

3. Cincinnati Bengals (8-3-1)

4. Indianapolis Colts (8-4)

5. San Diego Chargers (8-4)

6. Kansas City Chiefs (7-5)