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What the Chiefs win over the Ravens means for the AFC Playoff Picture

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Sunday’s matchup between the league’s number one ranked offence and the number one ranked defence proved an exciting game, with the Kansas City Chiefs dramatically winning 27-24 in overtime against the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium.

The result means that the Chiefs are officially heading to the playoffs for the fifth time in the last six years. They sit atop of the AFC (11-2) with a two-game lead and a view of a home-field advantage in the playoffs, after both the Patriots (9-4) and Texans (9-4) suffered upsets on Sunday. However, their battle for the AFC West title will continue into Week 15 when they face the LA Chargers (10-3) on Thursday Night Football.

As for the Ravens, a win at Arrowhead would have greatly increased their chances of a playoff place via the AFC North title race. All is not lost for the Maryland team who are still very much in the playoff picture but cannot afford any more mistakes.

Their AFC North rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5-1) have now lost their last three games after recording a loss at Oakland (3-10). The loss all but ends their chances of a first round bye in the playoffs and gives the Baltimore Ravens a glimmer of hope in the AFC North race. The Steelers also face tough competition from their three remaining matchups, against the Patriots in Week 15 and New Orleans Saints (11-2) in Week 16, before closing the season against the Cincinnati Bengals (5-8). If they lose two of these games, the title will be in Baltimore’s hands.

Otherwise the Ravens are vying for a playoff berth with the AFC’S sixth and final wildcard place. After Sunday’s loss, they sit tied with the Colts, Dolphins, and Titans all on 7-6. However, they currently hold the tiebreaker with their strong conference results.

       

With three games left of the regular season, the Ravens narrowly have the best schedule of the four, facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-8) at home, away to LA Chargers, and a last divisional game against the Cleveland Browns (5-7-1) at home. They will likely need at least two wins out of their last three games in order to reach the playoffs. But in the words of Terrell Suggs, “Hey, it’s December football. We’re up for the task.”