The Kansas City Chiefs won their fifth consecutive AFC West title on Sunday, and their day can get even better on Sunday night.
It is never easy, but the Chiefs found a way. On Sunday, they beat the Miami Dolphins 33-27 at the scene of Super Bowl LIV, clinching the AFC West for the fifth time in as many years.
At 12-1, Kansas City is off the best start in franchise history. Come Sunday night, the Chiefs’ plight will get even better, it’s just a matter of which way.
The Buffalo Bills (9-3) are hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers (11-1) on Sunday night. Pittsburgh is coming off its only loss of the season, falling on Monday night to the Washington Football Team at Heinz Field. Meanwhile, Buffalo has won five of its previous six, with the only defeat coming on a Hail Mary against the Arizona Cardinals.
For the Chiefs, here is how each possible result on Sunday evening shakes for their playoff scenarios:
If BUF wins: The Steelers would fall one game behind the Chiefs at 10-2, and would lose the critical “common games” tiebreaker to Kansas City.
If the Chiefs split their next two games against the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons, and defeat the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 17, Kansas City will have the No. 1 seed regardless of Pittsburgh’s final three results.
If PIT wins: Kansas City would clinch being the No. 2 seed, at worst. Buffalo would have four losses and loses the head-to-head tiebreaker. The Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts also can’t catch the Chiefs due to conference record.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh would remain one game ahead for the No. 1 seed. If the teams tied at season’s end, it would likely come down to strength of victory, which is unclear at this juncture.