NFL playoff picture: Kansas City Chiefs simplest scenario is to win out

The Kansas City Chiefs need to win their final two games to assure themselves of a spot in the 2015 NFL playoffs. There are scenarios where the Chiefs can clinch a playoff spot even if they don't win both of their final two games at the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16 and hosting the San Diego Chargers in Week 17 but the easiest route for them is just winning both games.

If the playoffs started today the Chiefs would not be in. The Chiefs are currently the seventh playoff team, along with other 8-6 teams the Chargers and Buffalo Bills. The Chiefs have beaten both of those teams so they hold the head to head over both of them.

AFC playoff picture

1. New England Patriots (11-3)

2. Denver Broncos (11-3)

3. Indianapolis Colts (10-4)

4. Cincinnati Bengals (9-4-1)

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-5)

6. Baltimore Ravens (9-5)

Outside looking in

7. Kansas City Chiefs (8-6)

8. San Diego Chargers (8-6)

9. Buffalo Bills (8-6)

So if the Chiefs beat the Steelers next week, they'll move into a playoff spot by owning the head to head tiebreaker over them. The Chiefs are one game better than the Ravens in their AFC record so the Chiefs would win that tiebreaker over Baltimore if it came down to it.

The Steelers finish up with a difficult schedule against Kansas City and then Cincinnati in Week 17. The Ravens have an easier road with games against the Texans and Browns. The Chiefs of course face the Steelers in Week 16 and the Chargers in Week 17.

You can go to ESPN's playoff machine and mess around with other ways that the Chiefs can make it in. This is another good look at the Chiefs playoff picture. They can lose to the Steelers or Chargers and still make it in -- but they would need help from other teams.

So what are the Chiefs rooting for right now? A win over Pittsburgh next week is the easiest answer right now.