For Chiefs fans searching for good news about the team, here’s a little something.
If you play around with ESPN’s Playoff Machine, you can chart a path for the Chiefs into the postseason.
And The Athletic’s NFL simulation spun things ahead to the end of the season and had the Chiefs finishing with a 10-7 record, the same as the Colts, Texans and Chargers.
With the Chiefs sitting at .500 with a 6-6 record, that seems like good news. Alas, it’s not. The Chiefs finish ninth in that simulation and miss the postseason.
After the Chiefs’ loss on Thanksgiving, not making the playoffs is a real danger. Here’s a closer look at the Chiefs’ postseason chase:
AFC playoff field
The Chiefs are 10th in the AFC standings, and seven teams make the playoffs.
1. Broncos (10-2) 2. Patriots (10-2) 3. Jaguars (84) 4. Ravens (6-6) 5. Chargers (8- 4) 6. Colts (8- 4) 7. Bills (8- 4) 8. Texans (7-5) 9. Steelers (6-6) 10. Chiefs
Chiefs’ playoff chances Here is how PlayoffStatus. com, The Athletic and the NFL’s website view the Chiefs’ odds of making the playoffs.
The Athletic: 36% (Previous two weeks: 64%, 57%) Playoff Status: 27% (Previous two weeks: 42%, 30%) NFL: 37% (Previous two weeks: 59%, 51%)
Chiefs’ tiebreakers
A damaging factor for the Chiefs is their 3- 4 record against AFC teams. The nine teams ahead of the Chiefs all have a better record in conference games.
The Chiefs’ playoff hopes would get a boost if the Jaguars and Steelers get hot. Jacksonville on Sunday took over the top spot in the AFC South, which pushed the Colts into the wild-card chase, and the Chiefs have a tiebreaker over Indianapolis based on their win last month.
Jacksonville beat the Chiefs and would have a tiebreaker on KC.
If the Steelers win the North, the Ravens would be in the wild-card hunt and the Chiefs hold a tiebreaker over Baltimore because of their victory earlier this season.
The Chiefs also would lose a tiebreaker with the Bills after Buffalo’s win.
Chiefs’ remaining schedule
The Chiefs ended Thursday’s loss with offensive tackles Jawaan Taylor and Josh Simmons out because of injuries, and guard Trey Smith missed the game because he was hurt.
Next up for the Chiefs is a “Sunday Night Football” game against Houston, which sacked the Bills’ Josh Allen eight times next month. That game, like the rest of the remaining slate, is a must-win for KC. Sunday: vs. Texans (7-5) Dec. 14: vs. Chargers (8-4) Dec. 21: at Titans (1-11) Dec. 25: vs. Broncos (10-2) Jan. 3 or 4: at Raiders (2-10)
