Chiefs' Playoff Hopes Hang in Balance After Thanksgiving Loss to Cowboys; Broncos Maintain AFC West Lead
When the Kansas City Chiefs fell 27-24 to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the ripple effects shook the entire AFC playoff landscape. The loss dropped the Chiefs to 6-6 — a single game behind the Denver Broncos, who held firm at 9-2 and now sit with a commanding three-game lead in the AFC West. It wasn’t just a loss. It was a wake-up call.
The AFC Wild-Card Chaos
Seven teams in the AFC now sit between 6-5 and 7-4. That’s not a race. That’s a brawl. The Los Angeles Chargers (7-4), Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5), Houston Texans (6-5), Buffalo Bills (7-4), and Jacksonville Jaguars (7-4) are all jostling for two wild-card spots. And the Chiefs? They’re suddenly on the outside looking in — not because they’re bad, but because the field got crowded. One loss to Dallas didn’t eliminate them. But it made every remaining game feel like a must-win.
Here’s the twist: the Chiefs still control their destiny. But so do five other teams. And unlike the Broncos — who have a soft schedule down the stretch — Kansas City’s final five games include road trips to Denver (Week 18), Los Angeles Chargers (Week 16), and Dallas (Week 17). That’s brutal.
Denver’s Quiet Dominance
While everyone’s watching Patrick Mahomes scramble under pressure, the Denver Broncos are quietly building something special. Under head coach Sean Payton, they’ve won eight of their last nine games. Their defense — once a liability — now ranks fifth in the league in points allowed. Running back Javonte Williams has been a revelation, and rookie quarterback Bo Nix has played like a veteran. They’re not flashy. But they’re consistent. And in a league where consistency wins titles, that’s everything.
The Broncos’ 9-2 record isn’t just about winning. It’s about timing. They’ve beaten every team in their division except the Chiefs — and they still have two games left against Kansas City. That means if they sweep those matchups, they clinch the division. And if they do? Home-field advantage through the AFC playoffs isn’t just possible. It’s probable.
The Wild-Card Logjam
Let’s talk about the Los Angeles Chargers. Their 7-4 record looks good on paper. But look closer. Their offensive line has allowed 31 sacks in the last six games. Justin Herbert is getting hit more than a quarterback should. And their schedule? It’s a gauntlet: Raiders, Eagles, Chiefs, Cowboys, Texans, Broncos. That’s six games against teams with winning records. They’re not just fighting for a playoff spot — they’re fighting for their season.
Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens are tied at 6-5, but the Ravens hold the tiebreaker. That means if both finish 8-8, Baltimore goes to the playoffs. Pittsburgh’s fate now hinges on beating the Ravens in Week 17 — and hoping the Bengals lose to the Browns. It’s messy. And it’s beautiful.
Divisional Drama
In the AFC South, the Indianapolis Colts still lead at 8-3 — but their 27-24 loss to the Chiefs last week was a gut punch. They’ve now lost two of their last three. The Texans, meanwhile, are alive at 6-5 and still have a shot if they can beat the Colts in Week 15. But here’s the reality: no team in the AFC South has a winning record against the top half of the league. That’s a problem.
And then there’s the AFC North. The Cincinnati Bengals, led by Joe Burrow’s return from injury, lost 24-17 to the Ravens in a game that felt like a playoff preview. Burrow, back after missing five weeks, told reporters: “It’s a division rivalry. It’s intense out there, something I wanted to be out there for.” He was right. That game wasn’t just about wins. It was about pride. And it might have cost Cincinnati any chance at the division.
The NFC Side of Things
While the AFC burns, the NFC is steadier. The Philadelphia Eagles (8-3) and Seattle Seahawks (8-3) are both in the hunt for the NFC’s top seed. But neither has locked it down. The Eagles blew a 20-point lead against Dallas — a reminder that their defense, under Vic Fangio, still has cracks. The Seahawks? They’re winning with defense, not offense. Mike Macdonald’s unit is holding opponents to 18.4 points per game — the best in the NFC. That’s not luck. That’s coaching.
And the Green Bay Packers? They’re alive at 7-4, thanks to a late-season surge. But their schedule is brutal: Vikings, Lions, Bears, 49ers. They’re not just fighting for a wild-card spot. They’re fighting to stay relevant.
What’s Next?
Week 14 is the real turning point. The Broncos host the Raiders. The Chiefs travel to Las Vegas. The Chargers face the Eagles. And the Ravens play the Steelers — again. That’s four games that could redefine the playoff picture. By the end of Week 15, we’ll know who’s legit and who’s just hanging on.
One thing’s clear: the Broncos aren’t just leading the AFC West. They’re leading the conversation. And the Chiefs? They’re no longer the favorites. They’re the team everyone’s trying to catch.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Chiefs’ loss affect their chances of making the playoffs?
The Chiefs’ 6-6 record after the Thanksgiving loss puts them in a precarious position. With seven teams in the AFC between 6-5 and 7-4, they’re now fighting for one of two wild-card spots. They need to win at least four of their final five games — including road trips to Denver and LA — to have a realistic shot. A 9-8 finish might not be enough.
Why are the Broncos considered the strongest AFC West team right now?
The Broncos lead the division by three games with a 9-2 record and a schedule that softens down the stretch. Their defense ranks top five in the league, and rookie QB Bo Nix has shown poise under pressure. They’ve beaten every AFC West opponent except Kansas City — and they still have two games left against the Chiefs. That gives them the upper hand in tiebreakers and home-field advantage.
Who has the hardest remaining schedule among playoff contenders?
The Los Angeles Chargers face the toughest slate: Las Vegas Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, and Denver Broncos. Six of those opponents are above .500, and four are in playoff contention. Their offensive line’s collapse makes this even harder — Justin Herbert is under constant pressure.
Can the Bengals still make the playoffs?
Technically, yes — but it’s nearly impossible. At 3-8, Cincinnati needs to win all five remaining games, while also hoping the Steelers lose at least three times and the Ravens lose twice. Even then, they’d need to win the AFC North — which is unlikely given their 0-3 record against division rivals this year. Joe Burrow’s return was inspiring, but the odds are stacked against them.
What’s the significance of the Ravens’ tiebreaker over the Steelers?
The Ravens beat the Steelers head-to-head in Week 10, giving them the tiebreaker advantage. That means if both finish 8-8, Baltimore makes the playoffs and Pittsburgh is out. With both teams at 6-5, the Ravens hold the upper hand — and their Week 17 rematch against Pittsburgh will likely decide the AFC North’s fate.
Is there any team that’s already clinched a playoff spot?
No. Not a single team has clinched a playoff berth as of Week 13. The only team eliminated is the New York Giants (2-10). Every other team still has a mathematical chance — which is why the final five weeks will be among the most chaotic in recent NFL history.