NFL playoff picture: What does Chiefs-Steelers mean for AFC standings?

The Chiefs face the Steelers in Pittsburgh on Christmas Day. We break down what the game means for the NFL playoff picture.

Fresh off their Week 16 games last Saturday, both the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pitsburgh Steelers are back in action on Christmas Day.

And this holiday clash between two of the top teams in the AFC has huge playoff implications for both sides.

Here is what it at stake for both the Chiefs and the Steelers when they meet in Pittsburgh on Christmas Day.

Chiefs playoff picture

Things are fairly simple for the 14-1 Kansas City Chiefs.

With a win Wednesday over the Steelers (or even a tie), the Chiefs would clinch the top spot in the AFC for the playoffs. That means both a first-round bye, as well as home-field advantage throughout the postseason. While last year the Chiefs showed they could go on the road to win in the playoffs, having every game in the friendly confines of GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium is a big advantage.

As well as a week off to rest and prepare.

However, even with a loss to the Steelers the Chiefs can still clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC in Week 17. A Chiefs loss would still see Kansas City clinch the top seed if the Buffalo Bills lose or tie against the New York Jets on Sunday.

Steelers playoff picture

Things are a little more complicated for the Steelers. While Pittsburgh entered Week 16 with a chance to clinch an AFC North title, their loss to the Ravens not only saw Baltimore clinch a playoff spot of their own, but kept the Ravens alive in the AFC North race.

Both teams have matching 10-5 records, which means the division cannot be clinched in Week 17 by either Baltimore or Pittsburgh. Should they both win out, they would finish with matching 12-5 records, and the Steelers would win the division thanks to tiebreakers. They split their season series, they’re tied in the division, and in common games, and the next tiebreaker is conference record.

In this scenario Pittsburgh finishes the year with a 9-3 record in AFC play, while the Ravens finish at 8-4.

While the Steelers currently have that tiebreaker advantage, they also have the tougher schedule. They finish with the Chiefs in Week 17, and the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 18. As for Baltimore, they play the Houston Texans on Christmas Day, and the Cleveland Browns in their season finale.

Tiebreaker implications

Pittsburgh cannot catch the Chiefs for the top spot in the AFC, so there are no tiebreaker implications in this game between the two teams.

The major tiebreaker implication comes in the AFC North as outlined above. At the moment the Steelers have a better AFC record than the Ravens, but that would change if the Steelers lose to the Chiefs, and the Ravens beat the Texans.