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Chiefs Playoff Picture: How the Chiefs Can Clinch a Playoff Spot in Week 15

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Luke Norris
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Luke Norris Sports Editor

Luke Norris began his sportswriting career in 2013 and joined Sports7 in 2020. The former Section Editor of the NFL and Motorsports sections, he now spends his time here in the role of Senior Writer-Programmer. His well-rounded sports knowledge allows him to cover the NFL, NBA, PGA Tour, MLB, boxing, WWE, and NASCAR for Sports7. Luke is an avid golfer who finds inspiration in the way sports can bring people together and provide a distraction from the real world. He hopes to provide a little entertainment or an escape from the real world with every article he writes, even if only for a few minutes. In addition to his work here at Sports7, Luke's work has appeared on  The Sportster, Inquisitr, GiveMeSport, FanSided, Yahoo! Fox Sports, and Sports Illustrated.

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Updated13 Dec 2022

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Patrick Mahomes during a Chiefs-Broncos matchup in December 2022

With a chance to clinch the AFC West in Week 14, the Kansas City Chiefs did their part by surviving a slight scare from the Denver Broncos with a 34-28 victory.

However, the Los Angeles Chargers didn't do their part as they kept their still-unlikely division-winning hopes alive with a 23-17 win over the Miami Dolphins.

But not to worry, Chiefs fans. Andy Reid & Co. get another shot at a seventh straight division crown in Week 15, a shot made much easier by the fact that they're playing the worst team in the NFL. And even if the Chiefs don't win, they can still punch their ticket to the NFL Playoffs.

Chiefs playoff picture: How Kansas City wins the AFC West in Week 15

Patrick Mahomes during a Chiefs-Broncos matchup in December 2022
Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs takes the field against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on December 11, 2022 | Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images

Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs face a straightforward “win and you're in” scenario this week, as all they need to do is defeat the Houston Texans, who enter the matchup with the league's worst record at 1-11-1.

Now, while that seems like an easy task, let's not forget that Lovie Smith's squad nearly knocked off the Dallas Cowboys this past Sunday. One wouldn't think the Texans have another outing like that in them, but stranger things have certainly happened.

But if Houston does pull off the upset, Kansas City still wins the AFC West if the Chargers lose at home to the Tennessee Titans. The Chiefs also take the division if both they and the Chargers tie.

Chiefs playoff picture: How the Chiefs clinch a spot in the NFL Playoffs in Week 15

While a Kansas City win automatically ends the AFC West race, the Chiefs can still clinch an overall spot in the NFL Playoffs with a tie and some help. Here are those scenarios:

  • Chiefs tie vs. Texans + Jets lose vs. Lions + Patriots lose vs. Raiders
  • Chiefs tie vs. Texans + Jets lose vs. Lions + Patriots tie vs. Raiders + Dolphins lose vs. Bills
  • Chiefs tie vs. Texans + Jets tie vs. Lions + Patriots lose vs. Raiders + Dolphins lose vs. Bills

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