The Kansas City Chiefs Will Play the AFC West in the Playoffs?

The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Cincinnati Bengals 34-31, causing Kansas City to surrender the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoff picture to the Tennessee Titans.

According to CBSsports.com, the Chiefs sit in the No. 2 seed and play the No. 7 seed if they remain at No. 2. As projected today, KC would play the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead. One week remains in the NFL regular season, and the Chargers have not solidified the No. 7 seed.

The Playoff Picture Setting up for the Kansas City Chiefs

The amazing thing about the NFL is how the playoff structure is set up to have games meaningful on the last week of the season. Another AFC West opponent the Las Vegas Raiders are not out of the running just yet. The Indianapolis Colts which, hold the No. 6 seed, lost to the Raiders in Week 17, 23-20. The Chargers defeated the Raiders in Week 4, 28-14.

With the final game of the regular season, the Chargers will go on the road to Las Vegas and play the Raiders for a playoff spot. The NFL played this one beautifully by airing this game on Sunday Night Football, prime time television for the fans to see.

Can the Kansas City Chiefs Anticipate Playing an AFC West Opponent?

If Kansas City holds onto the No. 2 seed they would be playing more than likely one of their AFC West rival opponents. Between the two teams, Kansas City holds a 3-1 record this season against both the Raiders and the Chargers. Los Angeles played KC close in their Week 3 matchup that would see the Chargers steal a victory 30-24 on the road at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

The second matchup was just as close as the game would go into overtime inside SoFi Stadium. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes would connect with tight end Travis Kelce for a touchdown to seal the victory 34-28. The games against the Raiders were never close as the Chiefs would put up a total of 89 points, only surrendering 23 points.

The Importance of Home Field Advantage for the Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs still have to finish the season strong. Their final game will be at Denver in Mile High Stadium. Usually, around this time, the Chiefs are resting their starters but, this year is different. Kansas City will need to win the football game to ensure the No. 2 seed is theirs. They have secured a spot in the playoffs, but the NFL has important games in the last week of the regular season, and miracles can happen.

As fans of the Chiefs, we understand the importance of home-field advantage. Arrowhead is the loudest stadium in the NFL posting, 142.2 decibels. Kansas City needs to win this game and bring home another playoff game.