Kansas City Chiefs need one more win to clinch No. 1 seed

The Kansas City Chiefs are one win away from clinching the No. 1 seed.

Thanks to the Pittsburgh Steelers imploding these past three weeks, the Kansas City Chiefs only need to win one more game to clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs. With their final two games coming against the Falcons and Chargers, fans should be feeling pretty good about this happening.

Let’s take a look at the AFC playoff picture now that Week 15 is in the books.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (13-1)** – BYE
2. Buffalo Bills (11-3)**
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3)*
4. Tennessee Titans (10-4)
5. Cleveland Browns (10-4)
6. Indianapolis Colts (10-4)
7. Miami Dolphins (9-5)

In the hunt: Baltimore Ravens (9-5), Las Vegas Raiders (7-7)

*clinched playoff berth

**clinched division

The Chiefs would get the coveted bye week and they need one more win to ensure that happens. Wild Card weekend would pit the Bills against the Dolphins, the Steelers against the Colts, and the Titans against the Browns in what would give us a fun slate of games.

On the NFC side of things, there wasn’t as huge of a shift in the standings though the Seahawks did jump into the top of the NFC West thanks to the Rams losing to the winless Jets. That was the only major shakeup in the NFC, but let’s take a look at the standings anyway.

1. Green Bay Packers (11-3)** – BYE
2. New Orleans Saints (10-4)*
3. Seattle Seahawks (10-4)*
4. Washington Football Team (6-8)
5. Los Angeles Rams (9-5)
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-5)
7. Arizona Cardinals (8-6)

In the hunt: Chicago Bears (7-7), Minnesota Vikings (6-8)

I mentioned the Seahawks took over first place in the NFC West and they’d now host a playoff game as a result. The Wild Card games in the NFC would consist of Saints vs Cardinals, Seahawks vs Buccaneers, and Washington vs Rams. Meanwhile, the Packers would be hanging out at home watching the games play out.

Three weeks ago it didn’t seem great for the Chiefs to take over the No. 1 seed in the AFC, but that’s why the games are played. Pittsburgh now isn’t just fighting for the No. 1 seed, but for the top spot in the AFC North as well, as they now have just one more win than the Browns. Those two play in Week 17, for what it’s worth.

In seasons past, the AFC hasn’t been the interesting conference when it comes to the playoffs, but this is shaping up to be a fun finish. Hopefully, the Kansas City Chiefs can get a win against Atlanta in Week 16 so that the No. 1 seed is locked up and there’s no panicking in Week 17. It’d be nice if the Chiefs gave us some breathing room after keeping us on the edge of our seats all season long.

What are your takeaways regarding the current playoff picture?