KC Chiefs News: Alex Smith And AFC Playoff Picture

The latest KC Chiefs news has everything to do with seven straight wins and staying healthy down the stretch.

The KC Chiefs won its seventh game in a row on Sunday and appear to have a schedule-friendly path to a playoff berth.

With the win against the San Diego Chargers, the Chiefs (8-5) went to 4-1 in the division and are firmly locked in as a Wild Card team if the season ended today. The Chiefs will be favored again when they play the Baltimore Ravens (4-9) this Sunday.

Alex Smith went 312 passing attempts without and interception before Sunday, while the Chiefs defense currently ranks fourth in the NFL in points allowed. Opposing teams are averaging just 18.7 points against rising Chiefs, which puts them behind only the Broncos, Bengals and Seahawks.

The biggest concern going forward is the status of linebacker Justin Houston, who missed his second straight game last week. He’s out with a knee injury, and, not surprisingly, linebacker Dee Ford will be headed back to a bench role when Houston does return. (Per ESPN’s Adam Teicher)

Not to get too far ahead, but Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton did sustain a thumb injury during his game on Sunday. If that’s anything more than minor, the 10-3 Bengals all of a sudden look like a beatable team in the AFC Playoffs.

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Second-year kicker Cairo Santos is a perfect 8-for-8 on field attempts inside of 40 yards. He’s also a perfect 2-for-2 this season on field goals from 50-yards and out. The Chiefs will need him as each field goal and extra point from here on out is a must-make.

The Chiefs offense continues to find a way to score the ball. They’re seventh in the NFL in points scored (331), and it starts with a healthy average of 123.5 rushing yards per game. Running backs Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West form a better one-two complement than Chiefs fans could have hoped for when Jamaal Charles went down.

Don’t look now, but this Kansas City Chiefs team is quietly emerging as a one of the AFC’s top teams. They may not be flashy and they may not be the greatest show on turf, but they’re fundamentally sound and they have the veteran leadership and coaching staff to compete in the NFL Playoffs.

GM John Dorsey and head coach Andy Reid deserve a lot of credit, as do the guys who out there practicing every day. As do the Chiefs fans who braved the weather and brought the energy to Arrowhead Stadium these past two home games.

Look out for these Chiefs in the next four weeks; it’s not a defense you want to face in a win-or-go-home scenario.

KC Chiefs News and Notes From Around FanSided

KC Chiefs: Good, Bad, Ugly Vs San Diego Chargers [KC Kingdom – Leigh Oleszczak]

Albert Wilson Becoming Key X-Factor? [NFL Spin Zone – Joe Soriano]

Chiefs Have Potential Road To AFC West Title [Arrowhead Addict – Matt Verderame]

"Kansas City would win any tiebreaker should it win out due to divisional record. The Chiefs would be 5-1 while the Broncos would be 4-2, with the two splitting head-to-head meetings."

Dee Ford Finally Has Breakout Game [KC Kingdom – Zach Blochlinger]

More KC Chiefs News From Around the Internet

Chiefs QB Alex Smith’s “Fire” Impresses Coaches, Teammates [KCChiefs.com – BJ Kissel]

"“[Smith] showed a lot of fire on that play,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid explained. “His legs have helped us and I know he’s getting up there a little bit, but he knows how to protect himself when he goes down, which is important.”"

AFC Playoff Picture: Will Bengals or Broncos Lose Leads? [NFL.com – Gregg Rosenthal]

"So if you are into doomsday scenarios, Broncos fans should be more worried. They have two tough games remaining and the Chiefs don’t have any winning teams left on their schedule."

West, Ware Maintain Similar Split [Arrowhead Pride – Joel Thorman]

"As good as things look for Kansas City right now, they need to make a move to get even better. This season is not about making the playoffs. It is about winning the World Series and with that goal in mind, the Royals need a little something more."

Chiefs Alex Smith Comes So Close To Quarterbacking History [Fox Sports]

We hope you enjoyed this edition of KC Chiefs News.

Next: Draft Day Disasters for the Chiefs

The Chiefs look to make its next move towards playoff contention this Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens. How high do you think the KC Chiefs can climb this season?

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