Week 15 Playoff Scenarios

The following is a quick look at how the results of Week 15 will impact the Chiefs’ playoff hopes.

IF THE CHIEFS WIN ON SUNDAY:

Their record will improve to 9-5 and they’ll remain one game ahead of San Diego with two games left to play.

A Chiefs win and a Chargers loss in Week 16 will give the Chiefs the division. If both teams win that week, the Chiefs can clinch the division in Week 17 with a win or with a Chargers loss.

IF THE CHIEFS WIN AND THE RAIDERS LOSE:

The Raiders will be eliminated from the AFC West race. Even if Oakland went on to win their final two games, which would include beating the Chiefs in Week 17, the best record they could finish with is 8-8. That wouldn’t be enough to catch a Chiefs’ team that already earned their ninth win.

IF THE CHIEFS AND RAIDERS BOTH WIN:

The Chiefs’ lead over Oakland will remain at two games. The Raiders could be eliminated from AFC West contention in Week 16 with a loss or with a Chiefs win.

Incidentally that would mean the Raiders would come to Arrowhead in Week 17 with no chance of making the playoffs, barring the almost impossible odds that they might still be alive for a wildcard spot.

IF THE CHIEFS LOSE:

Their record will drop to 8-6 and they will fall to second place in the AFC West behind San Diego. To win the division, they will likely have to win their final two games to finish 10-6, then hope the Chargers lose a game so that the best record they can finish with is 9-7.

IF THE CHIEFS LOSE AND THE JETS AND RAVENS BOTH WIN:

The Chiefs cannot earn a wildcard birth. The only scenario in which K.C. can earn a wildcard involves either the Jets or Ravens losing all of their remaining games and finishing with a 9-7 record, while the Chiefs win out to finish 10-6.


IF THE CHIEFS LOSE AND THE JETS AND/OR RAVENS LOSE:

The Chiefs will still have a slim chance at a wildcard. Between the Jets and Ravens, whichever team that lost will also have to lose their final two games. Additionally, the Chiefs will need to win out and hope that Miami loses another game.

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