The Kansas City Chiefs can clinch a playoff spot on Christmas night with a win over the Denver Broncos but it’s possible their playoff picture is much clearer before that.
If the Steelers beat the Ravens - they play before the Chiefs and Broncos - then the Chiefs would clinch a playoff spot.
I suppose you want to clinch as soon as you can so I want the Steelers to beat the Ravens but it would be cool to beat the Broncos on Sunday night to clinch and knock them out of the playoff picture.
The Chiefs are still playing for the AFC West title this week and next. The Raiders won this week which means the Chiefs need to win to have a shot in Week 17. The Raiders lost Derek Carr for the season so this division race is indeed wide open. I don’t think the Raiders can go into Denver and beat the Broncos in Week 17. The Chiefs need to beat the Broncos on Christmas night and the Chargers the following week.
If the Chiefs don’t win the AFC West, they’ll likely be the No. 5 seed and travel on the first round of the playoffs. If they do win the AFC West, they’ll have the No. 2 seed and a first round bye. This is significant.
How Chiefs can clinch
Chiefs win OR
Ravens loss or tie
AFC playoff picture
1. Patriots (13-2)
2. Raiders (12-3)
3. Steelers (9-5)
4. Texans (9-6)
5. Chiefs (10-4)
6. Dolphins (10-5)
Find the NFC playoff picture here.