How KC Chiefs rank against the other AFC playoff contenders

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 19: The Kansas City Chiefs hold up the Lamar Hunt trophy after defeating the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs defeated the Titans 35-24. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 19: The Kansas City Chiefs hold up the Lamar Hunt trophy after defeating the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs defeated the Titans 35-24. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /
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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 12: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers throws the ball during the second quarter against the New York Giants at SoFi Stadium on December 12, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 12: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers throws the ball during the second quarter against the New York Giants at SoFi Stadium on December 12, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

3. Los Angeles Chargers

Some people may be surprised to see the Los Angeles Chargers all the way up at number three on this list, but they shouldn’t be. The Chargers are 8-5 and control their own destiny in the AFC West. With a head-to-head win over the Chiefs already in their pocket, a win this Thursday over KC would pull them even record-wise and they would own the tiebreaker. After the Chiefs game, their schedule isn’t that bad either.

  • vs Kansas City Chiefs
  • at Houston Texans
  • vs Denver Broncos
  • at Las Vegas Raiders

So if the Chargers take care of business against the Chiefs on Thursday this is still a team that could run the table and competes for the top overall seed in the AFC. They have a defensive-minded coach, an elite pass rusher, a talented young quarterback, and some great weapons around him on offense. The Chargers are still very much a threat in the AFC.

Next up, a legit threat to win the AFC top seed.