NEED TO KNOW
- The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs lessened their playoff potential after their disappointing loss to the Houston Texans on Dec. 7
- Nevertheless, there’s nonetheless a small window for the four-time Tremendous Bowl profitable workforce to nab a spot
- There are a number of situations that have to occur to ensure that Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and the Chiefs to safe a playoff berth
Will they drop the ball?
After a string of shut loses this yr, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs are a longshot to make the 2025 NFL playoffs — however there are nonetheless a number of situations that may assist the four-time Tremendous Bowl-winning workforce to remain within the sport.
For the primary time in 9 years, the Chiefs have been bucked from the highest spot within the AFC West. The workforce’s disappointing 20-10 loss to the Houston Texans throughout Sunday Evening Soccer on Sunday, Dec. 7 sealed their incapacity to nab the division title.
However regardless of the Chiefs’ 6-7 file this season, there’s nonetheless a small likelihood for the Patrick Mahomes-led workforce to make the playoffs. Nevertheless, the Chiefs quarterback himself is conscious of the uphilling problem.
“We all know the [playoff] likelihood is getting decrease and decrease, however I do know the blokes on this workforce are going to offer all the things they’ve, each alternative we get,” Mahomes stated throughout a press convention after the loss to Houston.
Travis Kelce, the three-time Tremendous Bowl winner on the Chiefs, additionally expressed his frustrations.
“It’s been a tricky f—ing go-around for the final two days,” the star tight finish, 36, instructed his brother Jason Kelce on their New Heights podcast. “You place in all this f—in’ work and hope that it pays off and proper now, for no matter f—in’ purpose, man, it’s little issues, I don’t know, self-discipline.”
He added, “I really feel like I’ve all the time had the solutions in years previous and this yr I simply can’t discover them.”
Ought to the Chiefs make it to the playoffs, they immediately turn out to be a menace to different groups. That is largely attributable to their historic success within the postseason, particularly Mahomes’ 9-0 file when enjoying within the wild card (2-0) or divisional spherical (7-0).
What must occur for the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs to safe a playoff berth? Learn on.
The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs should win out.
Merely put, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs cannot lose for the remainder the season. They’ve 4 video games left in opposition to the next groups: The Los Angeles Chargers (Dec. 14), Tennessee Titans (Dec. 21), Denver Broncos (Dec. 25) and the Los Vegas Raiders (Jan. 4 or Jan. 5).
The Chiefs face the Chargers and Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium and tackle the Titans and Raiders on the highway, so this situation is pretty doable. The Chiefs misplaced to the Chargers and the Broncos earlier this season, nonetheless, however now they will have a house workforce benefit.
Profitable out would give the Chiefs a 10-7 file.
The Los Angeles Chargers should end 10-7 or worse.
Heading into Week 15, the Los Angeles Chargers have a 9-4 standing. The workforce should end 10-7 or worse to assist the Chiefs’ possibilities at a playoff berth.
The Chargers should lose to the Chiefs on Dec. 14 and the Broncos on Dec. 25, after which at the very least considered one of their different two video games left this season, in opposition to the Cowboys and the Texans. This may make sure the Chiefs and Chargers have the identical division file.
If this occurs, each the Chiefs and the Chargers could be 10-7 with a 4-2 division file, and the Chiefs would end forward of L.A. due to the frequent video games tiebreaker (which suggests evaluating a workforce’s file — wins, losses, ties — in opposition to the very same opponent).
The Colts, Dolphins and Ravens should lose.
The Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens additionally want to slide up.
The Colts, who’re 8-5 heading into Week 15, should lose two of their final 4 video games. This can make their file worse than the 10-7 file wanted by the Chiefs in the event that they win all 4 of their remaining common season video games. And with Colts quarterback Daniel Jones’ damage taking him out for the remainder of the season, it isn’t out of the realm of chance.
The Dolphins and the Ravens, in the meantime, are each 6-7 just like the Chiefs heading into Week 15. They may additionally end their season 10-7 (although the likelihood of that occuring is slim), which might then lead to a four-way tie.
What occurs if there is a tie between groups?
If all 4 groups (Dolphins, Ravens, Chiefs and Colts) end 10-7 to wrap up the common season, the Chiefs would stand superior within the four-way tie attributable to their higher convention file and snag the AFC’s seventh seed — however provided that one of many Colts’ two losses is to both the Jaguars or the Texans.
If the Chiefs win their subsequent 4 video games, then their postseason odds bounce to 45 %, per The Athletic.
The outlet additionally factors out one particular sport involving two completely different groups that may have a major impression on the Chiefs’ playoff berth: Chargers-Broncos in Week 18.
“The Chiefs profitable out, mixed with a Broncos victory there, would put Ok.C. at 72 % to make the playoffs. Win out with a Chargers victory, although, and the Chiefs’ likelihood drops to 7 %,” experiences The Athletic.
Now, when does the thrill begin? The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs will get their first take a look at after they face the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 14.