The AFC playoff picture has gotten awfully interesting now that the Kansas City Chiefs have won FIVE straight games. The Chiefs were in the sixth playoff spot after last week's games. They move up to the fifth spot after this week's games.
The first four teams in the NFL playoff picture are each of the division winners. The Chiefs are unlikely to beat out the Denver Broncos for the AFC West crown (hey, it could happen though) so they're likely looking at a Wild Card. If the Broncos lose to the Patriots on Sunday Night Football then you start to wonder a little bit if the AFC West is in play. That would also mean the Chiefs need to probably win out so that's probably not going to happen.
(See the NFC playoff picture here)
The Chiefs are looking really, really good in the AFC Wild Card standings right now. They have the head to head tiebreaker over the Steelers, Texans and Bills. They also have just two losses in the AFC which will be key if that tiebreaker needs to be applied. The Chiefs play the Raiders two more times down the stretch.
AFC playoff picture
(Overall record, conference record)
1. New England Patriots (10-0, 7-0)
2. Cincinnati Bengals (9-2, 7-1)
3. Denver Broncos (8-2, 4-2)
4. Indianapolis Colts (6-5, 4-3)
5. Kansas City Chiefs (6-5, 5-2)
6. Houston Texans (6-5, 4-3)
In the hunt
7. New York Jets (6-5, 5-4)
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5, 3-4)
9. Oakland Raiders (5-6, 5-3)
10. Buffalo Bills (5-6, 5-5)
Chiefs remaining schedule
Week 13: @ Oakland Raiders (Dec. 6, 3:05 p.m., CBS)
Week 14: San Diego Chargers (Dec. 13, 12 p.m, CBS)
Week 15: @ Baltimore Ravens (Dec. 20, 12 p.m., CBS)
Week 16: Cleveland Browns (Dec. 27, 12 p.m., CBS)
Week 17: Oakland Raiders (Jan. 3, 12 p.m., CBS)