The Kansas City Chiefs were given surprise help on Monday night with the Atlanta Falcons taking down the Los Angeles Rams in a 27-24 upset win. While this game means nothing in the AFC landscape, it does have incredibly important draft implications that improve Kansas City's chances of landing a top 10 pick. Arrowhead Addict's Adam Best said it perfectly, offering that "Falcons and Rams did the Chiefs a huge favor. Hard for them to slip out of the top 10 at this point. A magical accidental tanking run that could/should add another blue chip to the roster."
While the Chiefs never intended this season to be a tanking exercise, this is a great point that should excite KC fans. Not only does the franchise have a clear offseason direction, but now the front office is going to be potentially armed with a top 10 selection this offseason. Something that doesn't even require the Chiefs to find a way to lose to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 18.
KC Sports Network's Kent Swanson pointed out that even if the Chiefs win on Sunday, all the franchise needs for a top 10 selection are wins from the Atlanta Falcons and Cincinnati Bengals. The Falcons will be taking on the New Orleans Saints, whom they have already beaten once this season. The franchise is riding a three-game winning streak and coming off an impressive upset of the Rams; this seems very doable.
Chiefs Chances of Landing Top 10 Pick Boosted by Falcons Monday Night Football Upset
For the Bengals, it seems incredibly likely they finish the season off with a win as well, scheduled to play the Cleveland Browns. While Kansas City's rival has long been eliminated from playoff contention, it is clear they haven't let go of the rope. Behind a resurgent Joe Burrow, the Bengals' offense has put up 45 and 37 points over the last two games.
Cincinnati is looking to take momentum into the offseason, needing reason to believe next season will be different. For the Browns, the franchise has remained mired in frustration and lacks any clear direction, leaving every reason to believe this will be yet another loss in an endless list of lost seasons.
The Chiefs losing to the Raiders would obviously take away all the pressure of needing other results for a top 10 selection; however, the franchise has to feel great about its chances. Atlanta did the league's prestige franchise a service by beating the Los Angeles team that was heavily favored, as the Rams were fighting for the fifth seed and a chance to take on the winner of the NFC South in the wildcard round.
Instead, they did the Chiefs a favor and pushed themselves into far less favorable playoff positioning. Something that won't bother KC fans whatsoever, as attention remains on hopes of getting the highest pick possible heading into an incredibly pivotal 2026 offseason.