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Somewhere in the cloud of news surrounding the Kansas City Chiefs, there is a football game this week, and an important one at that when it comes to the 2018 NFL season.
With a win or tie against the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium, the Chiefs, at 11-2 will clinch a playoff spot.
AFC Playoff scenarios for Week 14:
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) December 5, 2018
KC clinch playoff berth with win/tie OR MIA loss/tie + IND loss/tie + TEN loss/tie
NE clinches AFC East with win/tie
HOU clinches AFC South with HOU win + TEN loss or tie OR HOU tie + TEN loss
Chargers have a complex one: pic.twitter.com/RDRaM0AavY
If the Chiefs happen to lose, which is unlikely—the Chiefs are 6.5-point favorites—they would need one of the following things to happen to lock up a playoff spot:
- A New England Patriots (9-3) victory or tie away against the Miami Dolphins
The Patriots would clinch their division with a win, so that makes it all the more likely.
- A Houston Texans (9-3) victory or tie at home against the Indianapolis Colts (6-6)
The Texans have won their last nine games in a row.
- A Jacksonville Jaguars (4-8) victory or tie away against the Tennessee Titans (6-6)
I find this to be the least likely of the three scenarios, but not impossible.
One of the four possible outcomes is bound to happen, so Andy Reid and the Chiefs should head to the postseason for the fifth time in six years when Sunday’s slate of games is all said and done.