KC Chiefs: Predicting each game of the 2022 season

AFC Wild Card Round: vs (7) Indianapolis Colts

The Chiefs will open the postseason with (another) matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. This matchup would mark the sixth playoff meeting between Indianapolis and Kansas City over the past 27 years. The Chiefs are 1-4 in the previous five postseason games between the clubs but they should feel good about this one.

The Colts should have a solid defense and a good offense but I also don’t view them as a team with a very high ceiling. Indianapolis will be one of those teams that’s competitive in almost every game but will fall short in games with which they have a talent disadvantage.

The Chiefs have already beaten them this season and they shouldn’t have a huge problem defeating them again. The Chiefs advance in a game that is close for the first three quarters but they will pull away at the end and eliminate the Colts.

Result: Chiefs WIN 28-17 and advance to the AFC Divisional Round.

AFC Divisional Round: vs (5) Cincinnati Bengals

For the second consecutive postseason, the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals will meet at Arrowhead for a pivotal playoff game. The Chiefs will look to exact revenge on the Bengals after choking in the second half and overtime of last year’s AFC Championship. They failed to do so in the regular season but winning in January matters so much more.

This game will not be a walk in the park for either team and it will be competitive down the wire. The Bengals will come into the game with an upgraded offensive line while the Chiefs should have an upgraded pass rush and a deeper receiving unit for Patrick Mahomes. Kansas City needs to focus on being more patient with the running game, when necessary, as well as finishing the job when they get to Joe Burrow when rushing him.

In the end, Kansas City will get their much-desired postseason revenge on Cincinnati. They will not fall asleep at the wheel again and will bring Burrow down when they get the chance. The Bengals have a talented team but Kansas City is slightly better overall.

Result: Chiefs WIN 31-28 and advance to the AFC Championship.

AFC Championship Game: at (1) Buffalo Bills

For the second time in three seasons, the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills will play for the Lamar Hunt Trophy and a trip to the super bowl. It will also mark the third consecutive year that the two teams will meet in the playoffs.

This game has the chance to be another barnburner since both teams still have their elite quarterbacks. The Bills have by far the better defense, which could be the difference in this pivotal game. The one area where Buffalo is not completely stable is the offensive line. The Chiefs will need to generate pressure in order to have a chance to win. That will be a tall order for a team that’s been challenged to get after the quarterback in the past couple of years. The Chiefs will also need to prove that losing Tyreek Hill will not be catastrophic to their super bowl dreams.

I believe that Buffalo is the better overall team and I think they will show that in the playoffs. The Chiefs will give the Bills a strong fight most of the way but Buffalo will end KC’s season and advance to Super Bowl LVII.

Result: Chiefs LOSE 35-27 and their season is over.