Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 12/30

2015 NFL Postseason Ticket On-Sale and Season Ticket Member Invoicing Information from The Mothership

Based on the team's current record and standing within the AFC, the National Football League has advised the club to prepare for a potential home playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium.

Tickets for a potential AFC Wild Card home game will go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31. Tickets may be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at (800) 745-3000 or at the Arrowhead Stadium Ticket Office located between the Founder's Plaza and the Hy-Vee Gate on the northwest side of the stadium. Once on sale, the ticket office is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.

Individuals who purchase single-game tickets for a game that is not played at Arrowhead will be refunded the full amount back to the method of payment.

With Playoff Berth Already Secured, What Are the Scenarios Now for Chiefs? from The Mothership

With the Chiefs already having earned a playoff berth after nine straight wins, there's still a chance the Chiefs could walk away with the AFC West title and host a playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium.

In order for that to happen, the Chiefs will need to beat the Oakland Raiders and the Broncos would need to fall to the San Diego Chargers—both games have a 3:25 p.m. CT kickoff on Sunday.

If either of those things don't happen, there are then multiple scenarios in which the Chiefs could either travel to Cincinnati, Houston or Denver for their playoff game.

Here's Why Everyone Deserves Credit for Chiefs Current Nine-Game Winning Streak from The Mothership

The "next man up" philosophy hasn't just been an overused cliché or punchline for this Chiefs team, but rather as a badge of honor to highlight what's truly been a team effort to pull off such a historic turnaround.

Led by Dorsey and his staff of dedicated evaluators, who largely go unappreciated for all of their behind-the-scenes work, Reid, who led the ship when times were difficult, the coaching staff as a whole, which had everyone ready to play, and the training staff, which quickly helped players get healthy and back on the field—the credit for what has transpired needs to be shared among all of these people, and obviously, with the players who were performing out on the field.

Here's a game-by-game look throughout this current nine-game winning streak as to who wasn't able to play and who stepped up in their place:

Alex Smith Having a Career Year in Leading the Chiefs to Historic Season from The Mothership

From 1-5 to a playoff berth isn't just a really good story; it's a historically great story.

The Kansas City Chiefs join the 1970 Cincinnati Bengals as the only teams in NFL history to begin the season with a 1-5 record and then earn a playoff berth.

One of the main reasons the Chiefs are in this position has been the play of quarterback Alex Smith, who once again led the team on Sunday during their 17-13 win over the Cleveland Browns to earn their ninth consecutive victory, which ties a franchise record (2003, 2013).

Smith finished the game 15 of 22 for 125 yards with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception, also adding 6 rushes for 54 yards on the ground. The performance helped him set a couple of career highs in terms of yards through the air and on the ground this season.

Chiefs Jump Even Higher in Latest NFL Power Rankings from The Mothership

The Kansas City Chiefs (10-5) are the hottest team in the AFC with nine consecutive victories, and for the eighth straight week, they have moved up on NFL.com's weekly Power Rankings.

After their 17-13 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday afternoon, they have jumped up three spots—from No. 7 a week ago to No. 4 this week.

From 1-5 to 10-5, here's a look at how the historic season for the Chiefs has been reflected in their NFL.com Power Ranking.

Social Recap: Paul Rudd Fires Up the Kansas City Crowd Prior to Big Victory Sunday from The Mothership

Injured RB Jamaal Charles celebrated his 29th birthday by watching the Chiefs clinch a spot in the postseason with their 17-13 victory over the Browns.

The Merger Part Two: For Chiefs Founder Lamar Hunt, This Was When Everything Changed from The Mothership

Hunt's success in holding together his league's owners and vying for collegiate stars that the more established NFL had at one time sole rights to had brought that league to the realization the AFL was not going away.  Costs had risen for collegiate talent and the NFL's leadership reached the conclusion that perhaps an accommodation with Hunt's upstart league might be reached...

...In such tempestuous times, Hunt's steady and unemotional mindset, along with Schramm's pragmatic nature, brokered a deal that would mark the time football began to overtake baseball in the public's affections.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the merger of the two leagues, the culmination of months of negotiations between Hunt and NFL officials to end what had been a 10-year war between the two leagues.  This is how acclaimed biographer, Michael MacCambridge, recalled the moment when Hunt realized that the war had ended and he had finally won.

Chiefs playoff tickets go on sale Wednesday from The Kansas City Star

The Chiefs will also continue their policy of allowing Jackson County taxpayers to get first crack at tickets, as the team will begin a priority presale for those residents starting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. Those fans must bring one form of identification that includes a photo of the person purchasing the tickets and a personal 2014 Jackson County property tax receipt. Spouses residing at the same address will be allowed to purchase tickets, even if the property tax receipt is in the other spouse's name. No phone orders will be accepted for this specific presale event.

Fans who purchase single-game tickets will be refunded the full amount back to the method of payment if the Chiefs do not end up hosting a playoff game.

Tickets for potential home playoff game on sale Thursday, the Chiefs announce from Chiefs Digest

The first round of the playoffs is scheduled for Jan. 9-10; the divisional round is Jan. 16-17; and the AFC Championship Game is scheduled for Jan. 24.

Chiefs' chance to win AFC West cut in half by Denver's win from ESPN

The Chiefs have a 24.5 percent chance of winning the division title, according to ESPN Analytics. That's down from about 46 percent.

Even 24.5 percent sounds high at this point, since winning the AFC West for the Chiefs requires a Broncos loss to the San Diego Chargers on Sunday. ESPN Analytics gives the Broncos a 69.4 percent chance of victory on Sunday.

Chiefs' Jeremy Maclin has eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards by earning Alex Smith's trust from The Kanss City Star

It was the kind of throw Smith has passed on attempting in the past, particularly in the red zone. And it was the latest bit of proof that the same quarterback who failed to throw a single touchdown pass to a receiver all last season will indeed take a leap of faith in the red zone with a receiver, as long as the trust is there.

"I think a big part of it is the guy at the other end — you're trusting him," Smith said of the throw. "There are a lot of adjustments that could be happening in that route, and he sees it the exact same way you do, and you trust that he is."

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said the trust that has developed between his $68 million quarterback and $55 million receiver is something that has matured with time and that the touchdown throw was an example of the hard work paying off.

Alex Smith's scrambling an underrated part of Chiefs' offensive success from ESPN

Smith is fourth in the NFL in rushing among quarterbacks with 437 yards, behind Carolina's Cam Newton (626 yards), Seattle's Russell Wilson (541) and Buffalo's Tyrod Taylor (517). Smith has two touchdowns, far fewer than Newton's eight.

But over the 9-game winning streak, Smith has scrambled for 271 yards, most by any quarterback by 40 yards. He's averaged nearly 10 yards per scramble.

Chiefs' Justin Houston and Tamba Hali remain day-to-day from The Kansas City Star

Reid said safety Husain Abdullah, who has missed the Chiefs' last four games with a concussion, is "close" to returning, however.

"Pretty good chance he'll be back this week," Reid said. "We'll see. Again, that's kind of the day-by-day thing we're talking about."

Here is the wacky scenario that would have Chiefs open playoffs at Indianapolis from The Kansas City Star

Change even one of those games, and the Texans win the division. Crazy to think that Atlanta-New Orleans holds the part of the Colts' fate.

If that all happens, the Chiefs would be the No. 5 seed and would open the playoffs at No. 4 Indianapolis.

Needing nine of the 16 games being played this weekend to have a certain outcome is why this Twitter meme was made:

How confident are you that the Chiefs could beat these potential playoff foes? from The Kansas City Star

The six potential opponents: the Colts, Bengals, Broncos, Texans, Steelers and Jets. Denver is the team that could play at Arrowhead or the Chiefs could face the Broncos at Sports Authority Field.

So how do you feel about these matchups?

Derrick Johnson discusses the turnaround of the unheralded Chiefs from Sports Illustrated

DB: Tell me the truth: At 1-5, are you thinking you're still alive for the playoffs, or that nine straight wins are on the way?

DJ: You know what, that would be too far-fetched to actually even talk about the "P" word at that time. We were just trying to win one game, and we weren't panicking, but there was a sense of urgency. It was, ‘Hey guys, we're underachieving. We have a good team. We need to start getting it done.' There was some players meetings going on. I knew if everything held true from what I believed at the beginning of the season, I knew we were a pretty good team. But we weren't doing the job at the beginning of the year, for whatever reason.

POLL: Should the Kansas City Chiefs try to win the AFC West? from FOX Sports

Reid's other option? Play to beat the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, hope the Denver Broncos lose, and seize control of the division for the first time since 2010. That playoff path would currently pit them against the tougher New York Jets -- albeit in a home game.

What do you think, Chiefs fans?

Play 60 program brings Girl Scouts face to face with Chiefs linemen to learn about active lifestyles from FOX 4 KC

"I was so nervous because they`re awesome," said 8-year-old Rebecca Cox. "My dad watches the Chiefs a lot!"

Girl Scouts like Cox came to the Chiefs interactive Sports Lab for a scavenger hunt and some quality time with the linemen.

"We get to have snacks and we get a badge for doing this," Cox said.

"I was an education major in college, I have my degree in that, so I love being able to help and teach kids... just out here having fun," Pughsley said.

Dustin Colquitt shot his brother a text after the Broncos won on Monday night from FOX Sports

Kansas City Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt was rooting for a Cincinnati win that'd let his team leapfrog the Denver Broncos atop the AFC West standings.

When that didn't happen on Monday night, he shot his brother -- Broncos punter Britton Colquitt -- a brief message of brotherly love.

Chiefs, Broncos or Jets? It's a tough call for Texans from The Houston Chronicle

As the last weekend of games approaches, Kansas City, Denver and the New York Jets are still in the picture to come to Houston.

As the fourth-seeded team - the division winner with the worst record - the Texans would host the wild-card team with the best record.

As a fan, would you rather see the Texans play the Chiefs, Broncos or Jets?

Let's start with the Chiefs and a possible rematch of the regular-season opener Kansas City won 27-20 at NRG Stadium.

SB 1: After breaking curfew, Packers McGee catches 2 TDs from USA Today

Starr completed 16 of 23 passes for 250 yards and was chosen the most valuable player. The Packers collected $15,000 per man and the Chiefs $7,500 — the largest single-game shares in the history of team sports.

The game, called the AFL-NFL Championship, was not sold out at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

SB 4: Chiefs tie the series for AFL before full merger from USA Today

Despite committing five turnovers, Minnesota got back in the game on Dave Osborn's short TD plunge in the third quarter to make it 16-7. But the Chiefs answered as Dawson hit Otis Taylor for 46 yards for the final score of the game.

Dawson, the fourth consecutive quarterback to be voted the game's most valuable player, completed 12 of 17 passes for 142 yards.

Feeling deflated after a long Fantasy season from The Weekender

As we await who will be in Super Bowl 50, we can be happy to know that Edwardsville native George Toma will once again be in charge of getting the field ready in San Francisco. Toma has been the head groundskeeper for all 50 Super Bowls and he will be honored as one of 12 people who have been intimately involved with all 50 Super Bowls. Quite an honor.

Toma got his start at Artillery Park when he was just a kid. He went on to work for the Kansas City Chiefs and was friends with owner Lamar Hunt, who recommended Toma for the Super Bowl duty.

So who will play the Patriots in the Super Bowl? What? You think Brady & Co. won't get there? Who can beat them? The Bengals? The Broncos? The Chiefs? The Texans? The Jets?