The Kansas City Chiefs have a massive AFC West contest against the Denver Broncos taking place in Week 11, which could shape the division's future. As far as the conference goes, the Chiefs are currently the AFC's No. 8 seed, leaving them on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff picture.
Having said that, Tuesday's injury news certainly helps Kansas City's outlook.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter had to undergo a season-ending knee injury to fix an LCL problem. Rapoport added they hoped it was going to be a short-term injury, but that wasn't the case, and he might not resume football-related activities for six months.
Travis Hunter News Helps Chiefs' Playoff Race
This is a big loss for a Jags team that selected Hunter with the second pick in the 2025 NFL draft. He was a two-way player for Jacksonville, with 28 catches, 298 receiving yards, and one touchdown. Defensively, he logged 15 total tackles and three pass deflections.
Hunter was going to be a big part of Jacksonville's second-half push, and they certainly imagined having him make plays. They recently acquired wideout Jakobi Meyers from the Las Vegas Raiders, so that helps soften the blow offensively, but Jacksonville is still losing a dynamic playmaker on both sides of the ball.
The Jags beat the Chiefs 31-28 in Week 5 and own the tiebreaker over Kansas City. Since that game, though, these teams have headed in two different directions. The Chiefs have won three of their last four games. Meanwhile, the Jags have dropped three of their past four matchups.
Just last week, Jacksonville blew a 19-point fourth-quarter lead to the Houston Texans and lost 36-29 in a huge divisional game. The Jaguars have lost all the momentum they had earlier this season, and already had their bye week to regroup.
They have to roll with the pieces they have in the building, and there seem to be some problems regarding Trevor Lawrence's recent play. Having one less playmaker is less than ideal for Jacksonville, but great news for the Chiefs.
With eight games left in the season, QB Patrick Mahomes is someone who knows how to win when it counts. Jacksonville doesn't have any wiggle room, and that bodes well for the Chiefs. The Jags still have to face the Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, and the Indianapolis Colts twice, a who's who of the AFC postseason threats.
Kansas City's remaining schedule isn't a walk in the park either, with the Colts, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, and Chargers on the docket. Nonetheless, Hunter's injury is a massive blow for the Jags that simultaneously improves the Chiefs' shot at another playoff berth, which is something most fans won't complain about.