Arrowhead Pride
Prisco’s Week 14 NFL picks: Packers beat Bears, Cowboys keep rolling | CBS Sports
This is a playoff game for these two. Loser has major problems and likely won’t make it. The Texans are also playing consecutive road games. But that defense is impressive. Even so, give me the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes to stay alive in a game they have to have.
Pick: Chiefs 23, Texans 17
Here are the Chiefs’ chances to make the playoffs if they finish 5-0 … and 4-1, too | The Athletic
Though the Chiefs stand to be heavy road favorites against the Tennessee Titans, that result actually means the least, given it wouldn’t affect as many playoff tiebreakers. K.C.’s most critical game left is Sunday against Houston (7-5), with the winner claiming an all-important head-to-head edge that could make a difference down the stretch. If the Chiefs lose to the Texans, the playoff simulator gives them just an 11 percent chance to make the playoffs.
The simulator does not like the Chiefs’ chances if they go 3-2 in their final five games. Though there are still slim pathways for the Chiefs at 9-8 to make it in (with the best odds coming if one of those losses is to the Titans), the team’s postseason chances max out at 9 percent with a 3-2 finish; some other iterations, meanwhile, would leave the Chiefs’ postseason expectation at less than 1 percent if they do lose two more times.
Best NFL players at 109 different skills: Top QBs, WRs, CBs | ESPN
Most instinctive passer: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
Mahomes’ ability to find open targets — especially late in the down — creates consistent conflict for opposing defenses. On attempts averaging a time to throw of four or more seconds, he leads the league with 36 completions.
NFL Week 14 Power Rankings: Bears rise, Ravens slip | PFF
3. Kansas City Chiefs (Down 1)
Chance of making playoffs: 40%
Chance of winning Super Bowl: 4%
After their 31-18 loss to the Cowboys in Week 13 — their sixth one-score defeat of the season, plus the third in four games — the Chiefs have a 40% chance of making the playoffs, and are currently two games back of the last wild-card spot.
However, it remains hard not to give them the benefit of the doubt. They’re the Chiefs after all. But the excuses are mounting up. The offense can go full quarters without scoring, despite being second in EPA per play, and the defense just allowed seven yards per play to the Cowboys.
The Chiefs were down to three backup offensive linemen against the Cowboys, but Patrick Mahomes (76.4 grade; 11th) went nuclear — completing 23-of-34 pass attempts for 261 yards and four touchdowns, earning a 71.3 overall PFF grade. Still, it wasn’t enough. The Chiefs are 6-6 and are looking as desperate as...
