The Kansas City Chiefs' playoff aspirations took a significant hit on Monday night, despite not stepping onto the field themselves. The Los Angeles Chargers secured a 22-19 overtime victory against the Philadelphia Eagles, causing the Chiefs' playoff odds to plummet from 15 percent to 11 percent, as reported by NFL Next Gen Stats.
With a current record of 6-7, Kansas City finds itself two games behind the Houston Texans, who recently defeated the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, effectively eliminating them from contention for the AFC West title. The Denver Broncos, boasting an impressive 11-2 record and riding a ten-game winning streak, lead the division by two games over the Chargers.
To keep their hopes alive for an 11th consecutive playoff appearance, the Chiefs must win all four of their remaining games. Their next challenge comes on Sunday, December 14, when they host the Chargers. Following that, they will travel to Tennessee to face the Titans, return home for a critical matchup against the Broncos, and conclude the season with a game in Las Vegas against the Raiders.
Even if Kansas City manages to win out, they will require assistance from other teams competing for playoff spots. The most favorable scenario involves the Chargers faltering in their final games, particularly since one of those matchups is against the Chiefs.
For Kansas City to have a chance at surpassing Los Angeles, they need the Chargers to finish with a 1-3 record in their last four games, including losses to both the Chiefs and Broncos on January 4. As noted by an analyst, if this unfolds, both teams would end up with a 10-7 record, but Kansas City would claim the tiebreaker due to their performance in common games.
The Chargers also have upcoming games against the Dallas Cowboys and the Texans, adding further complexity to the playoff picture. Amidst these intricate scenarios, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes acknowledged the uphill battle his team faces.
He emphasized that while victories have been elusive, the determination within the locker room remains strong. “You can never question the fight of this team,” he added. “We’re not executing at the right moments, but I think you’ll see that these last four weeks.”
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid expressed his unwavering belief in his team's potential during a Zoom call with reporters. “I have learned over the years that anything’s possible,” Reid remarked. “The guys were down after [Sunday’s] game; they put their heart and soul into it. But there’s a way to pick yourself up and get going again. Hope is always a good motivator.”
