The raiders are essentially two back with tiebreakers. The "Super" Chargers are two back, in actuality. And those peopl ... hang on ... (stevo laughing uncontrollably) ... those peo ... (stevo unable to stop laughing uncontrollably) ... those p ... (stevo's main room flooding due to the tears of laughter and joy being shed, thinking about those people) ... anyways, let's just say, the team that allegedly plays a mile high above sea level is effectively eliminated from any and all postseason consideration.
Having noted that ... the 2017 Chiefs were in essentially the same position. Then they lost six of seven, to fall into a three way tie entering the final four games (which they thankfully won all four of) to create a divisional race out of thin air. So we can't take anything for granted.
So ... let's look at how the AFC is shaping up for the next month, and try to anticipate and/or prognosticate, what this conference will look like heading into Turkey weekend, and the stretch run.
First, your current standings, which I have separated into three tiers: (a) the divisional leaders, (b) the wild card contenders, and (c) the also-rans / out-of-it:
So ... let's start with Week Nine, in order of importance to Chiefs fans.
Week Nine.
Biggest Game: Colts at Steelers (noon CT, CBS). I know, this may not seem like the biggest game on the board, but (a) it has gigantic wild-card ramifications, (b) has an impact on the AFC South leader, and (c) the Chiefs need to finish at least a half-game ahead of the Colts if they hope to obtain a bye, since the Colts hold the head-to-head tiebreaker via Week Five's win at Arrowhead.
For the Colts, they probably have a little breathing room to play with, given that (a) they get the Dolphins in Indy next week, and (b) the Texans schedule is far more difficult down the stretch. On the other hand, every team in the AFC South is within a game of each other in the win column, so they can't really afford a slip-up.
For the Steelers, this is huge. They've managed to limp back into both wild-card and divisional contention despite playing three quarterbacks already. Their conference record isn't bad, and they've beaten the Chargers head to head. They've still got four divisional games left -- three of them against the Bengals and Browns, plus the finale in Crab Cake City. They truly only have one game left (save for the possible finale in Baltimore) where they'll be an underdog in, and that's when the Rams come to Steel Town next week. (My way of saying, if any team is going to come out of nowhere to steal the six seed, if not the AFC Norris outright, this is your team, injuries and all.)
Root For: Steelers. I think only one of these squads is playing in January, as a wild card. And I think the winner of this game, will be that team.
Second Biggest Game: Patriots at Ravens (7:20pm CT, NBC). I know -- no "Super" Chargers? No raiders? No. The Patriots next six weeks provide the AFC field the opportunity to drag them back to the pack, beginning Sunday night. This is by far and away the toughest game the Patriots have faced so far (sorry, Buffalo), and frankly it's the first credible shot at an outright defeat they've faced (again, sorry, Buffalo).
Both Baltimore and New England have a brutal November facing them, although both have soft landings come mid to late December. This one should go a very long way towards determining home field and byes in the AFC, especially if the Ravens win.
Root For: Ravens. I suppose "major injuries to both squads" is a bit mean, if brutally true, on what to root for ... but the who has to be the Ravens.
Third Biggest Game: Packers at "Super" Chargers (3:25pm CT, CBS). Oh what could have been. Had Chicago's last gasp field goal gone straight instead of taking a left turn, the "Super" Chargers would be all but dead at 2-6. Instead, they're gasping at 3-5 ... but facing a brutal, brutal November. Three straight national TV games, none of which they'll have a credible home field advantage for, one of which they have to leave the country to "host". Conversely, the Packers are rolling, coming off an impressive showing at Arrowhead on Sunday night, and looking to stay a game ahead of the Vikings in the NFC Norris.
Root For: Packers. Always root for the NFC squad against your AFC rivals. Always. Unless you need said AFC rival to win, to get you into the playoffs. That's the sole exception to that rule.
Other Week Nine Rooting Interests:
* Byes: Bengals. I'd bet on bye.
* Redskins at Bills: Redskins. A kid can dream, right?
* Texans vs Jaguars (London): Jaguars. We want abject chaos in the AFC South.
* Titans at Panthers: Panthers. This is one really intriguing contest, actually.
* Lions at raiders: Lions. Also, big day for Matthew Stafford. team tito has major bye issues.
* Browns at those people: Browns. One week closer to the antichrist's firing!
* Jets at Dolphins: Dolphins. The Jets can still get the top pick! Si se puede!
Next Week? Week Ten -- when the "Super" Chargers or raiders eliminate themselves from divisional contention ...
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