Fansided

Life on the NFL Playoffs Bubble: Who’s In and Who’s Out

By Bryce Olin

Nov 16, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) runs to the sidelines against Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston (50) in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City won the game 24-20. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) runs to the sidelines against Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston (50) in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City won the game 24-20. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 14, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) catches a pass during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 14, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) catches a pass during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

Denver Broncos (7-3), Kansas City Chiefs (7-3), and San Diego Chargers (6-4)

This division just got a whole lot crazier in about two seconds.

The Broncos have dropped two of their last three games, both losses coming on the road, and they still have road games against the Chargers and Chiefs in the division. The Chiefs are the second-hottest team in football with five straight wins and have a blowout victory over the Patriots on their resume. Even after losing 37-0 against the Dolphins, the Chargers have climbed back up on the saddle and are only one game back in the division.

This division is wild!

What It Will Take For The Broncos: 

One bad loss in three years is probably okay for the Denver Broncos, who lost to the St. Louis Rams 22-7 on Sunday. Now, the Broncos have to win at least four of their next six games to win the division and possibly even more. On top of that, the Broncos have one of the hardest schedules left in the league and play five teams with .500 or better records, the Dolphins, Bills, Chargers, Chiefs, and Bengals.

Can you imagine if the Broncos didn’t make the playoffs? That would be INSANE with how stacked the offense is.

What It Will Take For The Chiefs: 

Surprisingly, the Chiefs have the second-best defense in football and are only allowing 17.1 PPG, which makes up for their middling offense. The Chiefs also have the easiest schedule left in their division, with two games against Oakland. The Chiefs still have matchups with Denver, San Diego, Pittsburgh, and Arizona left. If they can win just one of those games, the Chargers will be at 10-6 and likely in position for another wildcard berth.

What It Will Take For The Chargers:

San Diego is going to have to find what was working for them so well early in the season. They have to run the ball, keep the other offense in check, and allow their defense to be on field as little as possible. Lately, their running game has struggled, they haven’t sustained possession, and they haven’t helped their weak defense.

The Chargers are going to need to win games against Kansas City and Denver to have any shot in the division, and they’ll likely have to win five of their next six.

Prediction: 

I think Kansas City is going to win the division. They’re the hottest team right now, and they have the team built to succeed when the weather changes to freezing temperatures and snow. If anything, the Chiefs have proven last year was not an aberration; they’re a really good football team. With a replacement to spell Jamaal Charles or replace him if he gets injured in Knile Davis, the Chiefs aren’t a dominant team, but they’re deeper than they were last season. They’re better suited to win more games than the Broncos down the stretch.

Next: Lions, Packers, No Bears, Oh My

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