Originally Posted by rfaulk34 (Post 17314871)

Did you hear anything about how you had lost 3 of 4 before the Bengals game and were only able to get in the EZ once against a really bad defense and beat a team with a backup by only one score?

Originally Posted by rfaulk34 (Post 17314864)

It's not the same, but because of the Chiefs struggles, the difficulties kind of are. The Ravens have a history of choking but they have a brutal team, with Lamar playing well, their running game and the defense.

The Browns are another team because they have a playoff proven QB with a running game and defense and the Bills are playing well now and just beat you.

This just isn't the same Chiefs teams like the last few years. If the playoffs started today your most likely path would be hosting the Bills, @Miami and @Baltimore. Things could fall your way and you could host the Browns for the AFCCG but that's not an automatic W either. And none of that takes into account if the Steelers D makes it in or Stroud's Texans.

Originally Posted by RunKC (Post 17314878)

Unfortunately there is some truth to this. The Ravens are undoubtedly the best team in the AFC this year so they earned the 1 seed. The Chiefs are the 2nd or 3rd best as their seed indicates. I'd say we are right there with Buffalo for 2nd best team.

But you're nuts if you think any team outside the Ravens is undoubtedly better than us at the moment, and even Ravens fans don't want to face Patrick Mahomes if they don't have to.

If the Chiefs did make the Super Bowl, why would they fear the Eagles who are falling apart? Why would they fear the 49ers who they beat in the same way 4 years ago with an inexperienced game manager on the worlds biggest stage?

The NFL in general outside of the Ravens is down this year. They just aren't as good. They're flawed teams dealing with issues just like us.

Originally Posted by Hammock Parties (Post 17314879)

Well, no. But at least we're hearing things about our playoff chances.

You're hearing this:

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Originally Posted by rfaulk34 (Post 17266078)

That still wouldn't kill them if they win the other 4 and a couple other things fall in place.

Then, they can eek through a playoff game game or two and give Burrow a chance to get healthy before returning to KC to end your season, again.

Originally Posted by Bearcat (Post 17314893)

Like I said, I think most are in the "so you're saying there's a chance" state of mind. The big games of the year to look back on, plus Mahomes, plus the defense gives me confidence they'll be in any game they play (looking forward to the playoffs, I really don't give a shit about not showing up in Denver or whatever the **** happened a couple weekends ago).

Like you said, they are who they are, and that's not a solid 1 seed SB contender this year... they're "playoff contender," which I consider a divisonal round appearance to be about the expected outcome. I'd be surprised if they aren't a tough out though, no matter who they play.

Originally Posted by rfaulk34 (Post 17314895)

I'm not saying anyone, in a one off, is undoubtedly better. Just that the Ravens, Browns and Bills could cause a lot of trouble. I don't believe in Miami, the Jags, the Colts, Texans or Steelers. Out of that group though, the Steelers could cause some stress with their ball control and pass rush.

Originally Posted by RunKC (Post 17314882)

Also the Bengals are in trouble. Their defense has regressed badly and I'm not sure if they'll keep Higgins. If you guys are smart you'll do what we did and trade Higgins for assets to reload in the draft.

Burrow is no longer on a rookie contract. His cap hit goes up big time. 12th highest paid QB next year

Originally Posted by tredadda (Post 17314903)

Honestly despite the offensive issues KC has dealt with this year, they would still be the one AFC team I would not want to face in the playoffs if I was a fan of a different team. The defense is elite and they still have a HOF TE, the best HC in football and the best QB/player in the league. There’s not a team in the league with the playoff experience of the Chiefs and that could be a huge difference maker once the lights get brightest.

Originally Posted by Bearcat (Post 17314926)

I think that's so incredibly underrated.

Even Mahomes and team with Kelce and Tyreek had issues in the early years, being shutout at halftime of the first AFCCG, and then 24-0 the following season. They overcame it because Mahomes is that ****ing special and he had the talent around him, but still.

We've seen this Ravens team before, just a few seasons ago. We all got good and scared of the Jags last year and they really weren't much of a threat... etc, etc. Every year, inexperienced teams getting a taste of real pressure in the real season. Obviously, nothing is 100% or 0%... the Ravens could be that good, and of course the Chiefs' issues could just be too much to overcome.

Originally Posted by tredadda (Post 17314903)

Honestly despite the offensive issues KC has dealt with this year, they would still be the one AFC team I would not want to face in the playoffs if I was a fan of a different team. The defense is elite and they still have a HOF TE, the best HC in football and the best QB/player in the league. There’s not a team in the league with the playoff experience of the Chiefs and that could be a huge difference maker once the lights get brightest.

Originally Posted by rfaulk34 (Post 17314942)

I get the feeling you're expressing as a fan, but from the outside, KC just doesn't have that mistique this year. There's not an ounce of smack in that or this; even with the state the Bengals are in, i thought they had a legitimate chance to win yesterday, going into the game.

Your defense has done the job the last 4 weeks in the 2nd half, so that's something very positive to look at but i'd still be worried about scoring and drops.

Originally Posted by rfaulk34 (Post 17314741)

lol. No.

You only got to see the real Bengals from Arizona to Baltimore at halftime this year. They will be right back up the Chiefs asses next year.