The calendar hasn't even flipped to December, but the Chiefs are already staring down a return to the playoffs.
Kansas City has a chance to lock up a playoff berth in Week 13, putting the franchise on the verge of its 10th consecutive trip to the playoffs and 11th overall in Andy Reid's 12 seasons.
No, it's not a surprise the Chiefs are a virtual lock for a playoff spot. Kansas City is coming off back-to-back championships, and the idea of Patrick Mahomes missing the playoffs is inconceivable. Getting it done this early, however, would be a testament to the job the Chiefs have done in winning close games.
Here's how the Chiefs can clinch a playoff berth in Week 13.
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Chiefs playoff picture
The Chiefs are in cruise control in the AFC West at this point, as they enter Week 13 with a three-game lead over the Chargers and 3.5-game lead over the Broncos. They can't clinch another division title quite yet, though.
| Place | Team | Record | GB |
| 1 | Chiefs | 10-1 | — |
| 2 | Chargers | 7-4 | 3 |
| 3 | Broncos | 7-5 | 3.5 |
| 4 | Raiders | 2-9 | 8 (eliminated) |
With the best record in the AFC at 10-1, Kansas City can clinch at least a wild-card berth. The Chiefs entered Week 13 with a five-game lead over the AFC's first team outside of the playoff picture, the Dolphins, with six games remaining.
Not only do the Chiefs lead the AFC West, but they're in the driver's seat for the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye. Kansas City leads the Bills by a game, though Buffalo has the head-to-head tiebreaker after handing the Chiefs their first loss of the season in Week 11. That means any slip-up could still be a major blow for Mahomes & Co.
MORE: AFC, NFC playoff pictures after Week 12
Chiefs clinching scenarios for Week 13
The Chiefs entered Week 13 with four scenarios to clinch a playoff spot:
- Win + Dolphins loss
- Win + Broncos loss
- Win + Chargers loss and Broncos tie
- Tie + Dolphins loss
Excluding ties, which are possible but extremely rare, the Chiefs have two simple scenarios in front of them. A win over the Raiders means either a Dolphins loss or a Broncos loss gets them into the playoffs.
Those results could happen out of order, as the Dolphins play on Thanksgiving. A Miami loss in Green Bay on Thursday would give the Chiefs a win-and-in scenario. A Dolphins win, however, would mean the Chiefs can't clinch on Friday. In that scenario, a Kansas City win would leave the team waiting until Monday to find out if the Broncos will lose to the Browns.
MORE: How Patrick Mahomes can match a Tom Brady record in Week 13
Chiefs remaining schedule
| Week | Date | Matchup | Time (ET) |
| 13 | Nov. 29 | vs. Raiders | 3 p.m. |
| 14 | Dec. 8 | vs. Chargers | 8:20 p.m. |
| 15 | Dec. 15 | at Browns | 1 p.m. |
| 16 | Dec. 21 | vs. Texans | 1 p.m. |
| 17 | Dec. 25 | at Steelers | 1 p.m. |
| 18 | Jan. 5 | at Broncos | TBD |
The Chiefs only have one sub-.500 team on their schedule after Black Friday, so there will be some tests for a Kansas City team that has had plenty of close calls this season.
The Chargers will visit Arrowhead Stadium in Week 14, followed by a trip to Cleveland for the Chiefs. Kansas City will then play two games in five days when they host the AFC South-leading Texans before traveling to Pittsburgh for a Christmas Day battle with the Steelers.
The Chiefs finish the season against the Broncos, who currently hold a playoff spot. Kansas City would like to be able to sit starters for that game, though that would likely require them to lock up the No. 1 seed by Week 17.
