Chiefs Miss Clinching Playoff Berth By An Inch (GIF)

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

They say that football is a game of inches, and the Kansas City Chiefs’ playoff spot—at least for this week—came down to an inch, if not less.

The Chiefs made a resounding statement to the NFL with their 45-10 win over the Washington Redskins, but even with the win, they needed some help to officially clinch a playoff spot; today.

Kansas City needed to beat Washington and receive help from a loss or tie by either Miami or Baltimore. The Dolphins took on the Steelers, while the Ravens played the Vikings.

Unfortunately, for Kansas City, neither team lost or tied.

The Ravens were able to hold on to a 29-26 win at home over Minnesota, and the Dolphins held on to a 34-28 win over the Steelers, by an inch.

Literally.

With the clock at 0:00 and down by six, the Steelers implemented the good old lateral drill to try at least try to get the ball to an open man with room to work.

Miraculously, the Steelers were able to fling it around the field until it reversed field to Antonio Brown, who then made two Dolphins miss and had one to beat to the end zone.

It looked like he had the last man beat and all he had to do was tightrope his way down the sideline, but alas, Brown’s foot barely went out.

It’s a tough way to lose for Pittsburgh, and it’s a tough way to not clinch a playoff spot for the Chiefs. The good news is, with their 45-10 win over the Redskins, the Chiefs proved to the NFL that they are indeed for real.

This is a team that can dominate games when all three phases are clicking, and if Kansas City can get on a roll to end out the season, the Chiefs will be a very dangerous playoff draw.

The Chiefs will make the playoffs in 2013. It’s not a matter of if, but more so a matter of when.

With a game against Oakland coming up, that playoff berth is coming soon. Very soon.

Note: GIFs via gifdsports.com