AFC Playoff Update: Chiefs Still On Top Despite Shocking Loss To Chargers

Despite their nationally televised fourth quarter collapse at home on Thursday night, the Kansas City Chiefs (11-3) are still in the driver’s seat for the top seed in the AFC. The Chiefs remained the top seed going into the rest of Week 15 even after losing to the Los Angeles Chargers (11-3) thanks to a tiebreaker over their west coast rivals.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ICOcTyc2jlM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Simply put, if the Chiefs beat the Seattle Seahawks (8-5) next week and the Oakland Raiders (3-10) in two weeks, they will be AFC West champions and the top seed in the AFC. The Chargers could still win out, finish 13-3 and still only be the fifth seed because the Chiefs have a better record in divisional games.

ESPN’s Football Power Index gives the Chiefs a 74 percent chance of doing just that.

The New England Patriots (9-4), meanwhile, sit firmly as the AFC’s second seed despite a setback against the Miami Dolphins (7-6). They will be favored in their next three games and will likely win the AFC East for the 10th straight season. The Patriots need to win and get some help to clinch the division this week.

Little else has changed in the AFC aside from the Chiefs having a tougher path to the top seed after Thursday night’s loss. The Houston Texans (9-4) have a fast track to the third seed and maybe the second seed if things break right for them.

The Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5-1) are currently the fourth seed, but have an uphill battle ahead of them to hold off the resurgent Baltimore Ravens (7-6). Pittsburgh has upcoming games against New England and the New Orleans Saints (11-2), while Baltimore’s remaining schedule is significantly easier.

The Chargers’ shocking win clinched a playoff berth for the team, but they are still in fifth place for the time being. In all likelihood, the fifth seed will go to either the Chiefs or Chargers, depending on which team finishes with a better record.

Finally, the sixth seed currently belongs to the Ravens, but could conceivably go to the Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts (7-6) or Tennessee Titans (7-6).