Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

What must Chiefs do to earn a playoff berth?

By Kenneth Ray Jr. | Last updated Dec 1, 2025 3:25 PM ET

After a Thanksgiving Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys, the Kansas City Chiefs are 6-6 and seeded 10th in the AFC.

Their upcoming schedule is brutal, featuring the Houston Texans, the Los Angeles Chargers and the Denver Broncos. What must they do to secure a playoff spot?

Chiefs are chasing five teams in AFC

Assuming the current AFC division leaders stay put, the Chiefs are trailing five AFC teams, all vying for three AFC wild-card spots. The Chiefs must overtake at least three of them to secure the seventh seed and qualify for the postseason. To do that, they will likely have to run the table. The encouraging thing is that the teams ahead of them must play each other repeatedly, which guarantees losses that may further the Chiefs’ cause.

Below is a detailed list of the teams the Chiefs are chasing, including their current seeds, records, remaining opponents, strength of schedule and a brief explanation of what must happen (in addition to five straight Chiefs wins) for the Chiefs to overtake them.

Los Angeles Chargers (8-4), Seed: 5
Eagles, @Chiefs, @Cowboys, Texans, @Broncos (.625)
Must lose at least three games

Indianapolis Colts (8-4), Seed: 6
@Jaguars, @Seahawks, 49ers, Jaguars, @Texans (.672)
Must lose at least two games

Buffalo Bills (8-4), Seed: 7
Bengals, @Patriots, @Browns, Eagles, Jets (.467)
Must lose at least three games

Houston Texans (7-5), Seed: 8
@Chiefs, Cardinals, Raiders, @Chargers, Colts (.450)
Must lose to the Chiefs in Week 14

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6), Seed: 9
@Ravens, Dolphins, @Lions, @Browns, Ravens (.450)
Must lose at least one game

Chiefs can overtake Steelers, Texans and Colts

Surging ahead of the Steelers or Texans into the eighth spot can happen with a Chiefs win over the Texans or any Steelers loss. But getting to seven is tricky. The Bills and Chargers have both defeated the Chiefs head-to-head, which effectively gives them both a three-game lead.

Catching the Colts would be easier. They lead the Chiefs by only two games and have the most difficult remaining schedule (.672). And most importantly, the Chiefs hold the tiebreaker over the Colts because of their 23-20 conquest of Indy in Week 12.

These scenarios could change from week to week, but first things first. To have a legitimate shot at a playoff berth, the Chiefs must likely win all five of their remaining games. That quest begins in Week 14 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium against the always-tough Houston Texans. If the Chiefs are going to make a run, it must start then.

Kenneth Ray Jr.

Kenneth Ray, Jr., is a Kansas City native and a longtime fan of the Chiefs and Royals. A former college basketball player, he has a deep appreciation for the talent and athleticism of professional athletes and an enduring love for sports history. As a writer, he creates engaging narratives that are precise, informative, and insightful.

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