What To Root For: Week 14 NFL Games That Impact The Kansas City Chiefs Playoff Hopes

Nov 30, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) led the offense against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

Time: 7:30

Line: Patriots, -4

Chiefs Impact: High

The Chargers have a brutal ending to their season with games against the Patriots, Broncos, 49ers, and Chiefs. At the minimum, the Chargers need to lose two of those games, something that can easily happen over the next two weeks.

The Chiefs have a couple of things going for them when it comes to the Chargers. First, the Chiefs have the road win in San Diego which puts them in a good position to knock out the Chargers in the final game of the season should the Chiefs need to do so.

Second, the toughness of the Chargers schedule should mean two AFC losses in the next two weeks against the Patriots and Broncos. Those two losses – which comes with a division loss as well – would give the Chargers three division losses (same as the Chiefs) and five conference losses (one more than the Chiefs). And should the Chiefs win the next two weeks over the Cardinals and Raiders, then the Chiefs will not only have more overall wins but also the same division record and a better AFC record.

It is not out of the question that the Chiefs could have a playoff spot lined up by the time the Chargers and Chiefs meet up in week 17. A three game winning streak for the Chiefs (Cardinals, Raiders, Steelers) plus a three game losing streak for the Chargers (Patriots, Broncos, 49ers) would ensure the Chiefs could not finish with a worse record with the Chargers. Assuming a few things play out with the other wild card contenders, Kansas City could have wild card spot clinched no matter what happens in that Chargers game.

But that only happens if the Chargers lose the games we think they should lose and the Chiefs hunker down and pull out three wins against teams they are capable of beating. That’s looking down the road, of course, but it helps explain why it is so important the Chargers lose the games they ought to lose.

Who To Root For: New England Patriots.