Inside race for top seed in AFC playoffs: Chiefs can clinch division title this week

When the Chiefs hired Andy Reid at coach ahead of the 2013 season, Kansas City’s eight AFC West titles were the fewest among those division teams. But heading into Week 14 of the NFL season, the Chiefs’ 16 AFC West championships are one more than the Broncos, Chargers and Raiders. Those three all have 15. With a win Sunday night against the Chargers, the Chiefs would clinch their 17th AFC West title. The Chiefs, 11-1, hold a three-game lead over the Chargers, 8-4. By defeating L.A. on “Sunday Night Football,” the Chiefs would have a four-game cushion with four weeks left in the season. But KC would own the tiebreaker by having swept the season series with the Chargers. Denver, 8-5, is mathematically alive for the AFC West championship. But a Chiefs victory Sunday would eliminate the Broncos, because the Chiefs would improve to 5-0 in AFC West games The Broncos are 2-2 in division play and would lose that tiebreaker with the Chiefs even if Denver won out and KC lost every game after Sunday. Add all that up and the Chiefs can win a ninth straight AFC West championship by beating the Chargers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The longest streak of consecutive divisions titles is held by the Patriots, who won 11 straight from 2009-’19. The Chiefs’ bigger goal remains winning the top seed in the AFC playoff field, and that’s down to a three-time race. Here’s a closer look at that race. (Chances of being the top seed are from the website Playoff Status. The strength of schedule is from the website Tankathon.) CHIEFS Record: 11-1 AFC record: 6-1 Chance of being top seed: 63% Strength of schedule rank: 10th most difficult Remaining opponents: Vs. Chargers (Dec. 8); at Browns (Dec. 15); vs. Texans (Dec. 21); at Steelers (Dec. 25); at Broncos (Jan. 4/5) Key game: A win in the Christmas Day game at Pittsburgh potentially could clinch the top seed for the Chiefs depending on what happens between now and then. BILLS Record: 10-2 AFC record: 7-2 Chance of being top seed: 32% Strength of schedule rank: 25th most difficult Remaining opponents: at Rams (Dec. 8); at Lions (Dec. 15); Patriots (Dec. 22); Jets (Dec. 29); at Patriots (Jan. 4/5). Key game: Detroit is the only team on the Bills’ schedule with a winning record. Beating the Lions could put the pressure on the Chiefs to win out. STEELERS Record: 9-3 AFC record: 6-2 Chance of being top seed: 5% Strength of schedule rank: 8th most difficult Remaining opponents: Vs. Browns (Dec. 8); at Eagles (Dec. 15); at Ravens (Dec. 21); Chiefs (Dec. 25); Bengals (Jan. 4/5). Key game: Pittsburgh can’t afford another loss if it wants to claim the AFC’s top seed, and they’ll be playing an Eagles team that is in the hunt for the NFC’s top seed in Philly.