Chiefs will have major impact on NFC playoff picture

The Chiefs can shakeup the NFC playoff picture in a big way later on this month.

The Kansas City Chiefs are gearing up for a Sunday night showdown in what is a favorable matchup against the Denver Broncos. A win allows the Chiefs to keep pace with the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers and stay battling for the lone available bye in the postseason.

A quick look at the Chiefs’ remaining schedule shows one remaining game where the team may enter as underdogs. That comes in Week 15 against the New Orleans Saints in what should be a monumental game for the playoff picture in both the AFC and NFC.

Chiefs and Saints seeking a top seed

The NFC playoff picture features the Saints sitting in the top spot with a one-game lead over the Green Bay Packers. However, the Packers hold the head-to-head advantage if the two teams finish with the same record.

The Saints’ final four opponents are the Philadelphia Eagles, Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, and Carolina Panthers, in that order. Kansas City is clearly the only elite team on that list.

The Packers still have to face the Detroit Lions, Panthers, Tennessee Titans, and Chicago Bears. The Packers should be favored in all four, especially with the way the Titans looked against the Cleveland Browns.

Green Bay can gain that top seed and the bye by winning out and having the Saints lose one game. Even one more loss for the Packers likely means the Saints get that top spot.

So assuming there are no major surprises, the NFC top seed should be decided in Week 15. The Chiefs will be trying to keep pace with the Steelers, and Packers fans will be tuning in rooting hard for Kansas City.

Of course, chaos could play out before then and even the Los Angeles Rams could compete for that NFC top seed as well. But let’s keep it simple for now and circle the Week 15 matchup between the Chiefs and Saints. That will be a game to watch regardless of the playoff implications.