Facebook Pixel

    Chiefs Playoff-Clinching Scenarios: Can Kansas City Lock Up a Playoff Spot in Week 13?

    The Kansas City Chiefs have been one of the top teams in the NFL for years, including 2023. With Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, they’ll always have a chance.

    Coming off a 31-17 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders and heading into Week 13, the Chiefs are 8-3 and hold the No. 2 seed in the conference. The Baltimore Ravens are the only team currently ahead of them.

    Can the Chiefs clinch the playoffs this week? What’s their playoff path?

    Kansas City Chiefs Playoff-Clinching Scenarios

    Can Kansas City clinch a playoff spot in Week 13? The short answer is no.

    The only team that can clinch a playoff spot this week is the Philadelphia Eagles. The Chiefs, meanwhile, are only two games ahead of the seventh-seed Indianapolis Colts in the AFC.

    Due to the competitive conference, the earliest the Chiefs can clinch the playoffs is Week 15. They do control their own destiny, however. If Kansas City wins out, they’ll be in the playoffs no matter what.

    What Is the Chiefs’ Division-Clinching Path?

    The most realistic playoff path for the Chiefs is winning their division. If they do that, they’ll have a home playoff game and potentially multiple. If they don’t, it’s the fifth seed or worse.

    Kansas City does have a 2.5-game lead inside the AFC West. The closest team behind them is the Denver Broncos, who beat the Chiefs in Week 8. However, Kansas City did beat Denver in the first meeting in Week 6.

    MORE: NFL Playoff Picture After Week 12

    The Broncos sit at 6-6 on the year, and had their five-game win streak snapped by Texans in Week 13. Past them, the Las Vegas Raiders are 5-7, while the Los Angeles Chargers are 4-7.

    At the earliest, the Chiefs can win the division by Week 15. Given their 2.5-game lead over the Broncos, if they just win their next three they will have it secured as Denver dropped their latest matchup.

    What Is Kansas City’s Path to the No. 1 Seed?

    The ultimate goal for the Chiefs right now is earning the No. 1 seed and, yet again, having a bye through Wild Card Weekend with the playoffs going through Kansas City.

    With Baltimore on a bye in Week 13, the Chiefs could return to the top spot with a win. If they win out, they will secure the AFC’s top seed. But if they lose, things get a little bit interesting.

    Since the Chiefs are tied in losses with the Jaguars, Dolphins, and Ravens, it’s a tight race. Kansas City holds the NFL tiebreaker over Jacksonville and Miami, giving them the edge right now. However, if either of those teams wins out and Kansas City drops a game, the Chiefs could slide behind them.

    Luckily for the Chiefs, they do not play the Ravens. Additionally, Baltimore plays both Miami and Jacksonville in their remaining schedule. Nevertheless, it’s unlikely that the Chiefs will be able to clinch the top seed much before Week 18.

    Want to predict the rest of the 2023 season with our FREE NFL Playoff Predictor? Looking for the most up-to-date NFL standings? What about a breakdown of team depth charts or the NFL schedule? Pro Football Network has you covered with that and more!

    2025 NFL Mock Draft Simulator

    The PFN Mock Draft Simulator features hundreds of prospects, scouting reports, and free trades -- jump into the FREE mock draft machine and get ready for the 2025 NFL Draft.

    2025 NFL Season & Playoff Predictor

    PFSN's 2025 NFL Season and Playoff Predictor is a tool that allows you to play out various weekly scenarios to see how the NFL playoff picture changes with each scenario.

    NFL Offseason Manager: Salary Cap, Free Agency, and More

    Do you think you can manage your favorite team’s roster better than the real-life general managers? PFN's Offseason Manager is here to help you prove it.

    Guess the NFL Player

    Test your NFL knowledge with PFSN's Guess the NFL Player game, the ultimate NFL player guessing game for football fans!

    ‘Once-in-a-Lifetime Player’ — Legendary Coach Urban Meyer Reveals Who He’d Take No. 1 in 2025 NFL Draft

    Legendary College Football Hall of Fame member Urban Meyer revealed the player that stood out as the best player in the 2025 NFL Draft.

    Raiders QB Geno Smith Ignites Free Agency Rumors After Workout With 70-TD WR Goes Viral

    A viral workout featuring Geno Smith and a star wide receiver has Las Vegas Raiders fans buzzing on social media amid free agency rumors.

    Shedeur Sanders Hangs Out With New Raiders QB Geno Smith, Ignites NFL Draft Rumors With Viral Post

    Raiders QB Geno Smith was seen with Shedeur Sanders on social media, suggesting Las Vegas could have a long-term plan at the position.

    Former NFL QB Names 2 Possible Quarterback Options for Cowboys After Cooper Rush’s Exit

    One former NFL QB highlighted two quarterbacks in this year's NFL Draft that Dallas can look to as a potential backup for Dak Prescott.
    Join the Conversation!