After starting 1-5 this is almost unbelievable to say but let's say it:
The Kansas City Chiefs can clinch a playoff spot on Sunday.
It's true, really. The Chiefs just need to win and see either a Steelers or Jets loss to clinch at least an AFC Wild Card spot. The Steelers play the Ravens, who are not very good, so I wouldn't count on it coming there. The Jets, however, play the Patriots, who are very, very good. That's where the Chiefs are most likely to see some help. Here's the full Week 16 schedule.
The Chiefs can also clinch the AFC West title but not this week. They still need some help from the Broncos. The Chiefs need to win one more game than the Broncos in the final two weeks. So, the Chiefs probably need to win out while the Broncos need to lose to either the Bengals or Chargers. If the Chiefs and Broncos end up tied, the Chiefs likely win the tiebreaker based on division record. That would mean the Chiefs are the No. 3 seed with a home playoff game while the Broncos are the No. 5 or No. 6 seed, possibly coming to Arrowhead to play the Chiefs.
Find the whole playoff picture here.
Here are the four games the Chiefs are rooting for:
Chiefs over Browns
Duh. The Chiefs need to keep winning because they will have a shot at the AFC West title up until the very last game. Beat the Browns, which they should.
Bengals over Broncos
This is for those of you who believe the Chiefs can still win the AFC West. KC needs to go plus-one over the Broncos in the final two games to win the division. The easiest way for this to happen is for the Bengals, who are the No. 2 seed in the AFC, to beat the Broncos. They'll be doing it without Andy Dalton. This game is on Monday Night Football so it should be a good one we can all watch.
Patriots over Jets
With a Chiefs win and a Jets loss, the Chiefs can clinch a playoff spot. This is a 12 p.m. (Arrowhead Time) game.
Ravens over Steelers
With a Chiefs win and a Steelers loss, the Chiefs can clinch a playoff spot. This is a 12 p.m. (Arrowhead Time) game.
AFC playoff picture
(Overall record, AFC record)
1. New England Patriots (12-2, 9-1)
2. Cincinnati Bengals (11-3, 8-2)
3. Denver Broncos (10-4, 6-4)
4. Houston Texans (7-7, 5-5)
5. Kansas City Chiefs (9-5, 8-2)
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-5, 6-4)
Everyone else
7. New York Jets (9-5, 6-4)
8. Oakland Raiders (7-8, 7-4)
9. Buffalo Bills (6-8, 6-5)
10. Indianapolis Colts (6-8, 4-6)