KC Chiefs News: Alex Smith, Justin Houston And More

The latest KC Chiefs news has everything to do with eight straight wins, and the AFC Playoff picture shaping up.

The KC Chiefs made it eight straight yesterday with a 34-14 road victory over the Baltimore Ravens. It’s the second longest single-season streak in team history, second only to a nine-game win streak in 2013.

During this streak, the Chiefs have outscored opponents a combined 238-98. That’s a 17.5 point average margin of victory.

Linebacker Justin Houston‘s status is the big unknown for this team moving forward, but there seems to be hope that he could be ready should the Chiefs make the playoffs.

With a Denver Broncos loss at the Steelers yesterday, the Chiefs are one game back with two to play. The Chiefs have back-to-back home games against the Browns and Raiders remaining on the schedule, while the Broncos get home games versus the Bengals and Chargers.

Quarterback Alex Smith did his part yesterday. He finished 21-for-25 for 171 yards and one touchdown. He didn’t need to do much more, as defensive backs Tyvon Branch and Marcus Peters each scored a touchdown and the Ravens offense proved inept with Jimmy Clausen leading the charge.

The Chiefs didn’t turn the ball over, and they forced three by the Ravens. Kansas City won time of possession, committed fewer penalties, and rushed for more than 100 yards.

Linebacker Derrick Johnson, the timeless one, finished with 12 tackles and quarterback hit, and Jaye Howard and Ron Parker contributed a sack apiece.

More from KC Kingdom

It’s unbelievable that the Chiefs control their own destiny to the AFC Playoffs, but they clearly do. They two remaining games are at Arrowhead Stadium against teams with a combined 9-19 record. While the Browns appear to be a cakewalk for the red-hot Chiefs, the Raiders and quarterback Derek Carr could challenge the Chiefs on Jan. 3.

Kicker Cairo Santos made two field goals yesterday, and both were playoff-caliber kicks. On a cold, breezy day on the road, Santos drove a 53-yarder through the uprights with less than a minute remaining in the first half. He later capped off a 14-play drive by making a 32-yard field goal.

The Chiefs continue to chip away, quietly going about business as an AFC darkhorse. While it seems most experts are occupied with the Patriots, Steelers and Bengals, the Chiefs defense is cementing itself as a unit you do not want to see in a playoff situation. It’s a veteran-led, deep, athletic defense that’s been together for three seasons.

If the Chiefs can force their way into a home playoff game, Arrowhead Stadium would certainly be a tough place for any visiting team to win. If Kansas City has to take to the road as an AFC Wild Card team, they’ll likely head to the Colts, Texans or whatever mediocre team wins the AFC South.

Enjoy the ride if you’re a Kansas City Chiefs fan – a playoff season for any team in the NFL is hard to come by.

KC Chiefs News and Notes From Around FanSided

What a Chiefs playoff win would mean to KC [KC Kingdom – Zach Blochlinger]

What playoff matchup do you want for Chiefs? [Arrowhead Addict – Nicholas Parker]

KC Chiefs: Sizing up the remaining competition [KC Kingdom – Leigh Oleszczak]

"The Browns have allowed the second most pointsthis season, averaging 27.5 points per game.Alex Smith should be able to take advantage of the depleted Browns secondary, especially now with Haden not being active."

Tyvon Branch scores 73-yard fumble recovery (Video) [FanSided.com – Andrew Dowdeswell]

Reviewing the Chiefs highs and lows [Arrowhead Addict – John McCarthy]

More KC Chiefs News From Around the Internet

The Kansas City Chiefs’ season was all but over in mid-October. They haven’t lost a game since. [Washington Post – Mike Maske]

"“We just put our head down,” Reid said Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium. “We try to do that every week. We put our head down and went to work.”"

Chiefs vs Ravens: 10 Obervations [KCChiefs.com – B.J. Kissel]

Justin Houston unlikely to play again in regular season [ESPN.com]

How Alex Smith’s running ability has lifted Chiefs offense [Kansas City Star – Terez A. Paylor]

"There is an art to being a mobile quarterback in the NFL, one that Smith has excelled at the last several games. Run too much, and it can limit the effectiveness of the designed plays. Run too little, and you’re a sitting duck in the pocket."

These are the Kansas City Chiefs Pro Bowl candidates [Arrowhead Pride – Joel Thorman]

Ford makes most of mentoring, opportunities [St. Joseph News-Press – Thom Hanrahan]

We hope you enjoyed this edition of KC Chiefs News.

Next: Alex Smith Has Most Team Wins In First Three Seasons

The Chiefs close out the season with two home games. How high do you think the KC Chiefs can climb this season in the AFC Playoff picture?

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