Chiefs See Big Rise In Latest Power Rankings, Still On Outside Of AFC Playoff Picture

The Kansas City Chiefs are back in the win column after a 23-20 overtime win against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. As a result, they are one of the biggest risers in the NFL in Bleacher Report’s newest power rankings ahead of Week 13.

With the win, Kansas City has returned to an above .500 record as they continue to make a push for the postseason. As it stands now, the Chiefs are still on the outside looking in on the playoff race, but Sunday’s win may have marked the turning point that was so desperately needed for the team.

The Chiefs are ranked as the No. 11 team in the league in B/R’s power rankings, three spots ahead of their Week 12 ranking. It’s tied for the highest rise from last week’s rankings.

Heading into the game, Kansas City’s lack of success in one-score games was the storyline of the season, as it was 0-5 in such games this season heading into Sunday. With their late-game comeback and ultimate overtime win, the Chiefs have finally scraped out a close-game win.

It’s significant because last season was the complete opposite for the Chiefs, as they won close games in ridiculous fashion time and time again. Now that they have finally pulled one out, albeit 12 weeks into the 2025 season, the Chiefs may have finally unlocked one of their biggest strengths.

Kansas City fans will at least be hoping so, as virtually every game needs to be a win from here on out for the Chiefs. Sitting at third in the AFC West, the playoff path for the Chiefs will come via the Wild Card. As of now, the Chiefs have just the 10th-best record in the AFC, not good enough to compete in the Wild Card round.

The good news is that they don’t sit far behind the teams that are in playoff positions. The Los Angeles Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Buffalo Bills are all just one win ahead of the Chiefs for spots in the Wild Card round. With an upcoming schedule that isn’t all that threatening, the likelihood of the Chiefs forcing their way into the playoffs seems isn’t all that hard to wrap your head around.

Still, it’s not the time to overreact and fully expect the Chiefs to return to the postseason after their most recent win. Although it came against the now 8-3 Colts, the win required a late-game comeback that wasn’t exactly comfortable.

“The Chiefs aren't back in championship form yet, though. The Colts had them on the ropes, up 11 in the fourth quarter,” the B/R article said next to the Chiefs’ ranking. “Credit to Kansas City for coming back in a must-win game, but it needs to sustain momentum to rank among the league's elite squads.”