Chiefs playoff talk: Don’t assume anything

Brady picked apart one of the best defenses in the league like they were a Pop Warner squad. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

The Patriots are beset by injuries at multiple key positions and with a first round BYE already clinched, Bill Belichick may decide getting guys healthy is more important than trying to keep the Jets out of the playoffs.

Over in Denver, the quarterback debate continues to go on as people are split as to whether Brock Osweiler can lead the Broncos in the playoffs or if Peyton Manning should take the reins back once he is healthy enough.  If it was Andy Dalton going in to Mile High Stadium I’d feel much better about a Bengals win, but with A.J. McCarron about to make his second career start against an excellent Broncos defense, I see the former Alabama star having a long night of struggles.

Then there are the Steelers, who have both of their last two games on the road but get to face an injury-ravaged Ravens team.  Barring another Roethlisberger injury I don’t see Pittsburgh losing either of these games. Its offense is just too good and the defense only has to be okay in order for the Steelers to win games.  I think they’re the most dangerous team left in the hunt and may be the toughest out in the playoffs.  There’s a not a fan base out there that wants their team going up against that high-powered offense in January.

If all four teams hold serve on Sunday then it all comes down to next weekend.  Luckily for the Chiefs they do hold the tiebreakers over all three teams so even a loss doesn’t mean the season is over.  While the Steelers should handle the Browns with ease the Broncos will still have to be ready to stop Philip Rivers, who despite having his offense torn apart by injuries has still thrown for over 4,500 yards and 27 TDs.

The Jets might have the toughest game of all, having to go into Buffalo and face Rex Ryan, who I’m sure would love nothing more than to ruin his former team’s postseason chances.

So buckle up Chiefs fans.  It’s looking pretty good for the playoffs right now but let’s not forget how quickly things can change in the NFL.