The Chiefs Road to the Super Bowl

The Chiefs Road to the Super Bowl

by Laddie Morse | December, 17, 2018

What an abhorrent and glorious weekend. Yes, the Chiefs lost at home to a division rival, which hurt… a lot… but the 8-5-1 Pittsburgh Steelers beat back the New England Patriots which pushes the Pats record to 9-and-5 compared to the Chief 11-and-3 record. Although the Houston Texans sit one game behind the Chiefs at 10-and-4, the Chiefs will have a first round bye and play at a minimum one home game, even if they split the next two games against the Seahawks in Seattle and the Raiders at Arrowhead. Let’s take a look at each team, their remaining games, and the potential threat they pose to the Chiefs moving forward to the playoffs… so, here’s the Chiefs road to the Super Bowl.

The Houston Texans (10-4)

The Texans are currently the 2-seed if the playoffs started today. They should wish the playoffs started now because the Eagles, their next opponent, are coming off a happy trip to L.A. where they whipped the 11-and-3 Rams (partially due to ex-Chief DJ Alexander’s fumble recovery late in the game) and will be ready to give the Texans all they can handle now that they’re only one game in back of the Cowboys in the NFC East at 7-and-7. There’s no reason to believe the Texans will easily handle the Eagles. However, hosting the Jaguars in week 17 should be less of a challenge for them because the Jags are have won only 2 of their past ten games. Plus, Jacksonville has only won one game on the road all year and that was against the 5-and-9 NY Giants on opening day. After losing their first three games of the season, Houston has reeled off 10 wins in 11 games but if the Chiefs face them, the Chiefs offense should be able to outlast the Texans as long as the Chiefs defense can come up with a couple of stops and a turnover. The Texans will clinch the AFC South Division with 1 more win or… if the Colts and Titans each lose next week.

The Texans Final Regular Season Record, My Prediction: 11-5. The Three Seed.

The New England Patriots (9-5)

With the Pats sitting two games in back of the Chiefs, K.C. would have to lose both of their last two games against the Seahawks (in Seattle) and the Raiders (at home) while New England would have to win their last two games. Not likely. However, if the Pats win their last two games — both home games — , and the Texans split, then the Pats will again move ahead of the Texans in the AFC seeding. The last time the Pats were not a one or two seed was in 2009 and I wouldn’t count them out to repeat that feat again this year. Although the Pats beat the Chiefs earlier in the year, Brady doesn’t look like the same player of year’s gone by and their two-game losing streak shows a real vulnerability so, I’d pick the Chiefs over New England in the playoffs… especially since the Chiefs nearly beat them on their turf back in October.

The Patriots Final Regular Season Record, My Prediction: 11-5. The Two Seed.

The Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5-1)

While the Steelers will probably beat the Cincinnati Bengals at home in their last game of the regular season, they will have their hands full against the Saints this coming weekend and I’d predict a loss there. Although the Steelers just beat the Pats they were coming off of a five game losing streak. It’s obvious to me that the Steelers are not the same team without RB Le”veon Bell, and although the Chiefs are not the same team without Kareem Hunt, the Chiefs should be favorites in any game against the Steelers at Arrowhead.

The Steelers Final Regular Season Record, My Prediction: 9-6-1. A Wildcard.

Los Angeles Chargers (11-3)

Although the Broncos game will likely produce a win for the Chargers, they will have their hands full hosting the Ravens this coming Sunday. If the Chargers win both games, the Chiefs will be in a must-win situation having to win both of their last two games against the Seahawks and the Raiders to maintain their number one seed position. Having beaten the Chiefs at Arrowhead, the Chargers are entering the latter stages of the season with momentum and it won’t surprise me if they sweep the Ravens and the Broncos. Since beginning the season 1-and-2, the Chargers have won 10 out of their last 11 games.

The Chargers Final Regular Season Record, My Prediction: 13-3. A Wildcard.

Yes, that means I’m predicting that the Chiefs will finish 13-and-3 as well and maintaining their number one seed status. They should be a motivated group because they’ll want to make sure they keep the tie-breaker over the Chargers. That’s my Nostradamus projection for the 2018 K.C Chiefs.

The Teams No One Wants to Face in the Playoffs

The L.A. Chargers and the Baltimore Ravens are two hot teams and are teams no one will want to face when the postseason begins. It just so happens that these were the Chiefs last two opponents.

The Chargers will be getting RB Melvin Gordon back in the coming weeks and he will help return their offense to a more balanced attack. The confidence the Chargers now have that they have beaten the Chiefs in Kansas City should help to fuel and propel them as they enter postseason play. Philip Rivers appears to have gotten past any skittish ghosts of seasons past and will be a force to deal with if the Chiefs have to face them again.

The Ravens are a team on the rise because of a late season change at QB. Starter Joe Flacco was injured and replaced for a few weeks by first round rookie wonder, Lamar Jackson. Jackson has improved week by week and yesterday, with Flacco healthy and ready to return, Jackson was named the starter while Flacco is now the back-up sitting on the bench. What Jackson brings to the Ravens offense is a dynamic running ability while supplying their WRs with an accurate arm. LJ breaks out of the pocket to extend passing plays, then if those possibilities break down, he can turn it up field and use his speed to burn a load of yards. Yesterday against the Bucs, Jackson had 95 rushing yards and 131 passing yards helping the Ravens to an 8-6 record and a 20-to-12 victory. If the Ravens can win both of their remaining games against the Chargers and the Browns, they will win the AFC North… if… the Steelers split their last two games. Jim Harbaugh knows how to coach in the playoffs and has won a Super Bowl before and that makes the Ravens even more dangerous if they can get into the playoffs. I certainly wouldn’t want to see the Chiefs face them again… in Arrowhead or elsewhere.

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