Kansas City Chiefs Playoff Scenarios: How The Chiefs Can Secure The AFC's Top Seed In Week 15

The Kansas City Chiefs (11-2) have only been the top seed in the AFC playoffs twice, in 1995 and 1997. Both times, they were one-and-done, losing heartbreaking divisional playoff games at home. The Chiefs have a chance to earn their third trip to the top of the AFC this week, and the clinching scenario is not unreasonable.

If the Chiefs beat the Los Angeles Chargers (10-3) on Thursday, they win the AFC West for the third season in a row and are guaranteed a playoff bye week. If they win and the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5-1) beat the New England Patriots (9-4) at home, the Chiefs get the top seed in the AFC with two regular season games to go.

The Chiefs are home favorites over the Chargers, while the Patriots are slight road favorites over the Steelers. Kansas City has beaten Los Angeles nine straight times, while New England is 11-3 against Pittsburgh since Tom Brady got the starting quarterback job.

Regardless of the outcome of this week’s games, the Chiefs’ path to the top seed is clear. If they win two of the next three games and finish 13-3, they will be the AFC’s top seed. The Chargers are the only team in the AFC who could possibly finish 13-3, and if both the Chiefs and the Chargers drew even at the end of the year, the Chiefs would win the division on tiebreakers.

After the Chargers game, the Chiefs have a road date with the Seattle Seahawks (8-5) and a home contest against the Oakland Raiders (3-10).