Chiefs Host Chargers, Week 17: OPEN THREAD – by Paul Pulley
A Look Ahead at the AFC Playoff Picture
Here’s a look at today’s AFC matchups to see how the playoff scenario might shape up and how it could impact the Chiefs.
The Baltimore Ravens have home field locked up, therefore they have nothing to play for in week 17. The Ravens have already announced that several of their players will not suit up as they host the Pittsburgh Steelers. Their next meaningful game will be the weekend of January 11-12, when they will host the lowest remaining seed from the wild card round.
The Buffalo Bills are locked in as the number 5 seed and will likely rest their starters while hosting the New York Jets. The Bills will travel to the home of the number 4 seed on the weekend of January 4-5, which will either be the Houston Texans or our own Chiefs.
The New England Patriots, currently the number 2 seed, host the Miami Dolphins today. If the Pats win, they will remain the 2 seed and will host the highest remaining seed from wild card weekend on January 11-12. The Pats can fall no farther than the 3 seed.
The Kansas City Chiefs, currently the number 3 seed, play the Los Angeles Chargers today in Arrowhead Stadium. If the Chiefs win and Miami upsets New England, the Chiefs will become the 2 seed and not play again until the second weekend in January. If both the Patriots and Chiefs win, Kansas City will remain the 3 seed, and host the number 6 seed on the weekend of January 4-5.
If the Chargers would happen to upset the Chiefs and the Houston Texans win today, the Texans would move up to the 3 seed and KC will drop to the 4 seed and host the Bills on wild card weekend.
The Houston Texans are the number 4 seed at this time. If the Texans win today and the Chiefs lose, the two teams will swap seeding positions.
With the Chiefs scheduled for a noon central game and the Texans playing a late afternoon game, Houston could know their fate prior to their game start.
I still believe Houston will give some of their starters a rest today. Even if the Texans were to take the 3 seed, there is still a chance that Tennessee would remain the 6 seed. If this happened, the Texans would be hosting the Titans two consecutive weeks, something they probably want to avoid.
The 6th seed and only AFC playoff spot still up for grabs, currently belongs to the Tennessee Titans. If the Titans defeat the Texans, they will lock up the final seed and travel the following weekend to Arrowhead. Even with a loss, the Titans would remain the 6 seed if the Pittsburgh Steelers and either the Oakland Raiders or Indianapolis Colts lose.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, with a victory over the Ravens, combined with a Tennessee loss, would become the 6 seed and play the 3 seed on wild card weekend.
The Oakland Raiders still have an outside shot at making the playoffs. Not only would the Raiders need both the Titans and the Steelers to lose, but would also need the Indianapolis Colts to defeat the Jacksonville Jaguars.
As things currently stand and if nothing changes, the Chiefs would host the Tennessee Titans on either January 4th or 5th. With a victory there, the Chiefs would then travel to Foxborough to play the Patriots on either January 11th or 12th.
Weather Report
It’s supposed to be cloudy with a high of 40 degrees from noon at the start of the game until 3:00 PM, when it’s about over and the field may be a bit soggy from a very rainy Saturday but otherwise, because of the good drainage system installed in Arrowhead, this should be a fast track for Pat, Ty, Mathieu, and the boys.
Paul Pulley — ArrowheadOne
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