Reviews and Previews – Chiefs playoff run

Oct 19, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) looks on during the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Week 11

The Chiefs come out of Week 10 in better shape than I thought they would. Looking ahead to Week 11 is a divisional showdown with ever-potent Philip Rivers and the rest of the Chargers. The Chargers are better than their record with close losses to Baltimore, Green Bay, Chicago, and Pittsburgh. However they looked terrible against Oakland worse against Minnesota. The defense for the Chargers is a mess so the Chiefs’ new star Charcandrick West should be able to find running room for a few touchdowns. Rivers is without his favorite target in Keenan Allen and many more of his weapons are banged up. With those factors the Chiefs should pull out a win but it will be closer than many think. Chiefs 17, Chargers 13.

For the rest of the NFL as it pertains to the Chiefs we begin with Houston hosting the Jets. The Texans are riding high after their Monday night upset and will shut down the offense of New York. The question will be whether they can move the ball or not. Jets 10, Texans 6.

The Raiders take their two game losing streak on the road to Detroit. The Lions looked much better against the Packers this last week but Oakland is angry and Derek Carr is getting better as the season goes on. Raiders 38, Lions 27.

Miami plays host to Dallas with the triumphant return of Tony Romo. Romo will guide the Cowboys to a much needed victory. Cowboys 21, Dolphins 18.

Denver travels to Chicago with Brock Osweiler starting over an injured Manning. As much as I would like to pick the Bears here, the Broncos will force Cutler into too many bad situations. Broncos 17, Bears 9.

With Pittsburgh on a BYE the last game of the week to have bearing on the Chiefs situation is the Bills at the Patriots. Bills head coach Rex Ryan has had some success in Foxborough but the Patriots won’t have any trouble here. Patriots 28, Bills 10.

AFC West after week 11

1. Denver (8-2)
2. Kansas City (5-5)
3. Oakland (5-5)
4. San Diego (2-8)

AFC Wildcard after week 11

1. Pittsburgh (6-4)
2. NY Jets (6-4)
3. Buffalo (5-5)
4. Kansas City (5-5)
5. Oakland (5-5)
6. Miami (4-6)
7. Houston (4-6)

The Chiefs are making a playoff run but they will still need help from the rest of the NFL if they stumble along the way.