The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs have by no means missed the playoffs throughout Patrick Mahomes’ profession, however that run is at risk of ending this season and it may occur as quickly as Week 15.
The 6-7 Chiefs are on the cusp of playoff elimination and there are a number of eventualities that would see them knocked out on Sunday. The excellent news for the Chiefs is that quite a bit must occur for them to be eradicated this week and it could begin with a loss to the Chargers, a recreation the place Kansas Metropolis is at present favored by 4.5 factors.
Let’s check out the three more than likely elimination eventualities for Kansas Metropolis (by way of Joe Ferraira):
1. Chiefs loss + Jaguars win (over Jets) + Payments win (over Patriots) + Texans win (over Cardinals)
Breakdown: The Jaguars (-13.5) and Texans (-9.5) are each large favorites on Sunday. As for the Payments, they opened as a favourite, however they’re now a slight 1.5-point underdog to the Patriots. If the Payments need any shot at profitable the AFC East, they should beat New England, so that they’ll be additional motivated. If the Chiefs lose to the Chargers, this might definitely be the situation that finally ends up knocking them out of playoff competition.
Prisco’s Week 15 NFL picks: Payments beat Patriots in AFC East battle, Packers knock off Broncos on street
Pete Prisco
2. Chiefs loss + Jaguars win (over Jets) + Payments win (over Patriots) + Colts win (over Seahawks)
Breakdown: The Colts simply misplaced Daniel Jones for the season and there is a good likelihood they are going to be beginning Philip Rivers on Sunday, who simply got here out of retirement after 4 years away. The Colts are a 13-point underdog in Seattle, so for this situation to occur, Indy must pull off a giant upset.
3. Chiefs loss + Payments win (over Patriots) + Colts win (over Seahawks) + Texans win (over Cardinals)
Breakdown: Just like the second situation, this situation additionally includes the Colts pulling off an upset win over the Seahawks.
There are additionally a number of different extra difficult elimination eventualities — with most of them involving at the very least one tie — however these are the three that will in all probability have essentially the most practical likelihood of occurring.
The Chiefs’ have had an unprecedented run of success with Mahomes. Since taking up the beginning quarterback job in 2018, Mahomes has led them to seven straight AFC title video games, 5 Tremendous Bowl appearances and three Tremendous Bowl wins.
This yr, although, the maths undoubtedly is not working in Kansas Metropolis’s favor relating to making the playoffs and Mahomes may be very conscious of that.
“We all know the probabilities are getting decrease and decrease, however I do know the blokes on this workforce are going to provide every little thing they’ve each alternative they get,” Mahomes mentioned this week.
Though the Chiefs are on the cusp of elimination, they may additionally nonetheless make the playoffs and we mapped out their path right here.
