Ranking KC Chiefs’ potential opponents in Wild Card round

If the KC Chiefs end up playing in the wild-card round this season, what potential teams could they play, and which would be the most difficult matchups?

The 2022-23 NFL playoffs are just around the corner and the Kansas City Chiefs have already punched their ticket with their AFC West division title.

Although their specific seed is still yet to be determined, the number of teams in the AFC still contending for a playoff spot has been getting smaller by the week. Prior to the commencement of Week 17, only 12 teams in the conference were still in contention for a postseason berth with five of the seven spots having already been secured. Three of those teams require help from other teams in order to clinch, even if they win both of their final two games, and four are eliminated if they lose this week.

Since the NFL expanded to seven playoff teams in each conference, there are four division winners (with all four guaranteed to host at least one playoff game) and three wild card teams. Due to the odd number, the top seed is the only one that earns a bye week and only needs to win two games instead of three to advance to Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Arizona.

Of course, the Chiefs hope to have a little bit of luck go their way and earn the #1 overall seed in the AFC and avoid playing on Wild Card weekend. But if they end up playing in the NFL’s first weekend of postseason games, who are the potential opponents, what are the odds they play each team, and who are the most difficult matchups for them?

Let’s rank the nine teams the Kansas City Chiefs could potentially see on Wild Card based on the degree of difficulty from least to most difficult.

Note: The percentages given are calculated using odds from Football Outsiders, before the Week 17 games