Chiefs looking for top seed in AFC playoffs
The Kansas City Chiefs could have taken this week off, assured of not only their third consecutive AFC West title but also the No. 1 seed in the playoffs before the Oakland Raiders came to town.
Instead, they'll have everything on the line Sunday.
The Chiefs blew a fourthquarter lead against the Chargers a couple weeks ago, and last week they lost a shootout in Seattle. They are now 0-2 with a chance to clinch the division, and they risk falling all the way to the No. 5 seed in the playoffs if they can't defeat one of their longtime rivals.
If the Chiefs (11-4) defeat Oakland, they get a path through Arrowhead Stadium. If they lose and the Chargers win, Los Angeles vaults to the top of the AFC West and the No. 1 seed.
If both teams lose, the Patriots or Texans would have a chance to snare the top spot, and Kansas City could conceivably go from having a bye to a wild-card matchup next weekend.
Finally, a Bears-Vikings matchup that means something
For the fourth time in the past five years, the Chicago Bears will visit the Minnesota Vikings in the last game on the schedule.
For once, this matchup has some meaning.
The Vikings, having already ceded the NFC North title to the Bears, have yet to secure a spot in the playoffs. The Bears could still improve their seed and snag that coveted first-round bye, if they win and the Los Angeles Rams also lose at home to San Francisco.
If not, the Vikings (8-61) would be the likeliest opponent for the Bears (11-4) in the wild-card round next week.
Texans need win for first-round bye
The Houston Texans are already in the playoffs but need a win against Jacksonville on Sunday to clinch the AFC South and have a chance for a first-round bye.
"That's the main thing we're thinking about is clinching this division, nothing else," receiver DeAndre Hopkins said. "In order for us to get to where we want to get we've got to win this game."
Houston (10-5) lost to Philadelphia last week but became the sixth team since 1980 to reach the playoffs after a 0-3 start on Sunday evening when Pittsburgh lost to New Orleans. The Texans would get a bye with a victory and a loss or tie by New England.
Super Bowl champs must win to make playoffs
The Philadelphia Eagles need to win and get help to keep playing and have a chance to defend their Super Bowl title.
All the Washington Redskins can do now is play spoiler.
It's do-or-die for the Eagles (8-7) when they visit the Redskins (7-8) on Sunday. A victory coupled with a loss by the Vikings (8-6-1) at home against the Bears (11-4) gives Philadelphia the final wildcard spot and the NFC's No. 6 seed. A loss sends them on an early vacation.
Saints tight end to retire after season
New Orleans Saints veteran tight end Ben Watson says he's retiring after this season.
Watson turned 38 this month and is in his 14th NFL season out of Georgia.
Watson has caught 33 passes for 371 yards and two touchdowns this season in helping the Saints capture the top playoff seed in the NFC.