KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Chiefs will carry a franchise-record 10-game winning streak into the playoffs.
Alex Smith threw two touchdown passes, the Chiefs sacked Raiders quarterback Derek Carr six times and Kansas City held on for a 23-17 victory over Oakland on Sunday.
The Chiefs were awaiting the result of the Denver-San Diego game to learn their playoff fate. If the Broncos win, they’ll head to Houston as the fifth seed. If the Chargers win, the Chiefs win the AFC West for the first time since 2010 and will host Pittsburgh in the first round.
Regardless, they’re somehow in the playoffs after a 1-5 start.
Even without running back Jamaal Charles, out for the season with a knee injury, and linebacker Justin Houston, sidelined by a bum knee, the Chiefs (11-5) have kept on rolling. They’re the only team in NFL history to win 10 straight following a losing streak of five or more games.