The Kansas City Chiefs hold the keys to the AFC West title, and they don’t have to leave their driveway to go to the playoffs.
The Chiefs host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, and a victory – coupled with a San Diego loss at the Cincinnati Bengals – would give Kansas City its first division title since 2003.
If the Chargers win, the Chiefs can clinch with a victory at home next week against the division-rival Oakland Raiders.
The Chiefs last made the playoffs in 2006 – as a wild card. In their last two postseason appearances, they were eliminated by the Indianapolis Colts.
It doesn’t appear the Chiefs would meet the Colts in the playoffs unless they reach the AFC Championship game – a home contest with the Baltimore Ravens or New York Jets in the first round is very likely for Kansas City.
But first, the Chiefs have to play – and defeat – the Tennessee Titans (6-8), who are virtually out of the playoff picture, but always play hard under coach Jeff Fisher.
Kansas City (9-5) is coming off a 27-13 victory at the St. Louis Rams last week, and has won four of its last five games. The Chiefs held the Rams to 224 yards and a meaningless touchdown in the fourth quarter.
The Chiefs, who are 6-0 at home, are doing a lot right this season, especially on offense. They lead the NFL with 168.6 rushing yards per game, and are fifth in turnover differential at plus-10.
Quarterback Matt Cassel has made very few mistakes this season with 24 touchdown passes and five interceptions. He missed the Chiefs’ 31-0 loss at San Diego two weeks ago, but returned last week.
While Cassel has been steady, Kansas City will ultimately go as far as the legs of Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones take them.
Charles is third in the NFL with 1,303 yards, and averages an eye-popping 6.4 yards per carry. Charles only has four touchdowns, partly because Jones has six of his own.
Jones has 828 yards as the Chiefs are trying to become the first team to boast two 1,000-yard rushers since the Cleveland Browns in 1985 (Kevin Mack and Ernest Byner).
Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe leads the league with 14 touchdown receptions, but hasn’t scored in three weeks. He has three catches for 56 yards during that span.
The Chiefs’ No. 16 defense will face the No. 28 Titans’ offense and running back Chris Johnson, who has 1,267 yards, fifth-best in the league. Johnson rushed for 2,006 yards last season, the fifth highest total in NFL history.
Titans quarterback Kerry Collins needs 94 yards to become the 12th quarterback in NFL history to reach 40,000 passing yards, and 334 to pass Johnny Unitas (40,239) for 11th on the NFL’s all-time yards list.
Collins also needs 13 completions to move past Joe Montana (3,409) for ninth on that list.
The Titans can still win the AFC South, with two victories, and two losses apiece by the Jacksonville Jaguars and Colts.
Tennessee won the last meeting, 34-10, at Kansas City in 2008.