AFC Playoff Picture: Chiefs can clinch AFC West in Week 16

The Kansas City Chiefs got back in the win column in Week 15 against the New England Patriots.  The 27-17 victory gave the Chiefs their eleventh consecutive winning season and put them one step closer to clinching a playoff berth. They're still in hot pursuit of the No. 1 seed in the AFC and they're […]

Charles Goldman — NFL Managing Editor
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The Kansas City Chiefs got back in the win column in Week 15 against the New England Patriots. 

The 27-17 victory gave the Chiefs their eleventh consecutive winning season and put them one step closer to clinching a playoff berth. They're still in hot pursuit of the No. 1 seed in the AFC and they're going to need to win out to have a chance at it. They'll also need some good fortunes when the Ravens and Dolphins play their final three games. 

If the season ended today, the AFC playoffs would go through M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland.

If the playoffs began today. . .

  1. Baltimore Ravens (11-3)
  2. Miami Dolphins (10-4)
  3. Kansas City Chiefs (9-5)
  4. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-6)
  5. Cleveland Browns (9-5)
  6. Cincinnati Bengals (8-6)
  7. Indianapolis Colts 8-6)

In the hunt. . .

  1. Houston Texans (8-6)
  2. Buffalo Bills (8-6)
  3. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7)
  4. Denver Broncos (7-7)

Likely to be eliminated. . .

  1. Las Vegas Raiders (6-8)
  2. Los Angeles Chargers (5-9)

Eliminated. . .

  1. New England Patriots (3-10)
  2. New York Jets (5-9)
  3. Tennessee Titans (5-9)

How the Chiefs lock up the AFC West in Week 16

As the Chiefs go head-to-head with the Raiders in Week 16, there will be a lot on the line. They'll have a chance to lock up the AFC West for the eighth consecutive season, which would set a new record for the most consecutive wins by a team in division history. All they have to do is borrow the motto oft used by their rivals: "Just win, baby." 

They must defeat a Las Vegas team that just absolutely pummeled the Chargers on "Thursday Night Football" (or tie combined with a Denver loss). It won't be easy, but if they can do that, K.C. will also punch their ticket to the playoffs and ensure that they're no worse than the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoff picture. 

The Broncos dropping their Week 15 game to the Detroit Lions all but ensures that Kansas City will eventually be crowned AFC West champs. Taking care of business and locking it up against the Raiders, at home, and on Christmas Day? Well, that would be a sweet victory for the Chiefs Kingdom. 

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