The Kansas City Chiefs are in unfamiliar territory-and not in a good way. For a team that’s dominated the AFC for the better part of the last six seasons, sitting at 6-6 and on the outside of the playoff picture feels jarring.
But with five games left and a key injury shaking up the division, the door to the postseason isn’t shut just yet. In fact, it might be creaking open.
Let’s start with the obvious: the Chiefs are chasing. They’re trailing both the AFC West-leading Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers, who currently hold a Wild Card spot.
That alone would be enough to make things uncomfortable in Kansas City. But the latest news out of Los Angeles could shift the balance.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert suffered a hand injury in what should’ve been a routine win over the struggling Raiders. The injury was serious enough that head coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed Herbert would undergo surgery on Monday. That’s a major development in the AFC playoff race.
Now, Herbert says he plans to suit up for Monday Night Football against a tough Eagles defense. But even if he plays, he’ll almost certainly be operating at less than full strength.
And if the injury lingers or worsens, the Chargers could be forced to turn to backup Trey Lance down the stretch. That’s a massive drop-off in quarterback play, no matter how you slice it.
This is where things get interesting for Kansas City. The Chiefs and Chargers still have one more head-to-head matchup on the schedule.
That game could be pivotal-not just for revenge after a season-opening loss in Brazil, but for playoff positioning. If Herbert’s play is limited or if he’s unavailable, the Chiefs could find themselves in a much better spot to capitalize.
Looking at the remaining schedules, the Chargers don’t have it easy. After the Chiefs, they’ll face the Cowboys, Texans, and Broncos-three teams that are very much in the mix or outright playoff contenders. That’s a gauntlet, especially if Herbert isn’t at 100%.
The Chiefs’ path is a bit more manageable. Yes, they’ll have to go through Houston and Denver-two teams currently ahead of them in the standings-but they also draw the Titans and Raiders, both of whom have struggled mightily this season. There’s a real opportunity here for Kansas City to string together wins and make a late surge.
Here’s how the AFC playoff picture currently stacks up:
- No. 1 New England Patriots (10-2) - BYE
- No. 2 Denver Broncos (9-2) vs.
No. 7 Buffalo Bills (8-4)
- No. 3 Jacksonville Jaguars vs.
No. 6 Indianapolis Colts (8-4)
- No. 4 Baltimore Ravens (6-6) vs.
No. 5 Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)
In the Hunt:
- Houston Texans (7-5)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6)
- Kansas City Chiefs (6-6)
So yes, the Chiefs are currently on the outside looking in-but they’re not alone. Pittsburgh is right there with them, and Houston is within striking distance.
The margin for error is razor-thin, but Kansas City has been here before. This is a franchise that knows how to navigate December football.
Of course, none of this matters if the Chiefs can’t clean up their own issues. The offense has been inconsistent, and the defense, while solid in stretches, hasn’t been able to carry the load when things go sideways. But if they can get back to playing complementary football-and if Herbert’s injury limits the Chargers-there’s a very real chance Kansas City could sneak into the postseason.
This is the kind of stretch run that defines a season. The Chiefs have the pedigree.
They’ve got the experience. And now, they might just have the opportunity.