KC Chiefs: From #1 Draft Pick, to Playoff Hopeful

A late fumble from replacement RB Charcandrick West lost the ball, and the game week 6 in Minnesota, a 16-10 loss. After winning their first game vs the Houston Texans, the Chiefs had lost 5 straight games and were staring a top 5 pick straight in the face. Playoffs were a deep afterthought. Only one time in history has a NFL team came back from a 1-5 record to make the playoffs. The 1970 Cincinnati Bengals actually started the season 1-6 and then won their next 7 games to go 8-6. Now 30 years later the Chiefs have caught fire winning 4 straight. The Chiefs combined to outscore the Steelers, Lions, Broncos, and Chargers 130-39 and are currently sitting at a 5-5 record.

How They Got Here

The biggest reason the Chiefs are currently the #6 seed in the playoffs, is the play of their defense. Everyone on the defensive side of the ball has taken it upon themselves to put this team back into contention. Including rookie sensation Marcus Peters. Peters is the current front-runner to win Defensive Rookie of the Year (DROY) and has 4 picks, including a pick six on future Hall of Fame QB Peyton Manning. Justin Houston, Tamba Hali, Sean Smith, ect. have all seen spikes in their numbers. Andy Reid has also seen an improvement from the offense, in huge part from the defense. With the defense playing so well, the offense has hardly had to play without the lead at all, which in turn makes it a lot easier for Alex Smith and company.

As it Stands Now

If the season were to end today, which it won’t so take as much into this as you want, the Chiefs would be the #6 seed and travel to Denver to face the #3 seed Broncos. If this matchup were to actually occur many Chiefs fans would get very excited. They have completely outplayed the Broncos in both games they faced this season despite having the 1-1 record. The game that started their 5-game losing streak was a loss to the Broncos in Arrowhead. A game the Chiefs lead all the way up until a last second fumble by Jamaal Charles that the Broncos took to the house. Then just 2 weeks ago, The Chiefs dismantled the Broncos on their way to a 29-13 win. Is it possible Kansas City has Denver’s number? This match-up would be very intriguing come playoff time.

Remaining Schedule 

Week 12: Buffalo Bills (Nov. 29, 12 p.m., CBS)
Week 13: @ Oakland Raiders (Dec. 6, 3:05 p.m., CBS)
Week 14: San Diego Chargers (Dec. 13, 12 p.m, CBS)
Week 15: @ Baltimore Ravens (Dec. 20, 12 p.m., CBS)
Week 16: Cleveland Browns (Dec. 27, 12 p.m., CBS)
Week 17: Oakland Raiders (Jan. 3, 12 p.m., CBS)

The remaining schedule is the easiest schedule in the league the rest of the way based on combined winning %. But perhaps the biggest game with the most playoff implications is just next week as Buffalo travels to KC. Both teams are 5-5 and tied for the 6 seed making this a must-watch game.  The next 6 weeks will decide if the Chiefs join the 1970 Bengals as only teams to make the playoffs win a 1-5 record.