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Prisco’s Week 14 NFL picks: Packers beat Bears, Cowboys keep rolling | CBS Sports

This is a playoff game for these two. Loser has major problems and likely won’t make it. The Texans are also playing consecutive road games. But that defense is impressive. Even so, give me the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes to stay alive in a game they have to have.

Pick: Chiefs 23, Texans 17

Here are the Chiefs’ chances to make the playoffs if they finish 5-0 … and 4-1, too | The Athletic

Though the Chiefs stand to be heavy road favorites against the Tennessee Titans, that result actually means the least, given it wouldn’t affect as many playoff tiebreakers. K.C.’s most critical game left is Sunday against Houston (7-5), with the winner claiming an all-important head-to-head edge that could make a difference down the stretch. If the Chiefs lose to the Texans, the playoff simulator gives them just an 11 percent chance to make the playoffs.

The simulator does not like the Chiefs’ chances if they go 3-2 in their final five games. Though there are still slim pathways for the Chiefs at 9-8 to make it in (with the best odds coming if one of those losses is to the Titans), the team’s postseason chances max out at 9 percent with a 3-2 finish; some other iterations, meanwhile, would leave the Chiefs’ postseason expectation at less than 1 percent if they do lose two more times.

Best NFL players at 109 different skills: Top QBs, WRs, CBs | ESPN

Most instinctive passer: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs

Mahomes’ ability to find open targets — especially late in the down — creates consistent conflict for opposing defenses. On attempts averaging a time to throw of four or more seconds, he leads the league with 36 completions.

NFL Week 14 Power Rankings: Bears rise, Ravens slip | PFF

3. Kansas City Chiefs (Down 1)

Chance of making playoffs: 40%

Chance of winning Super Bowl: 4%

After their 31-18 loss to the Cowboys in Week 13 — their sixth one-score defeat of the season, plus the third in four games — the Chiefs have a 40% chance of making the playoffs, and are currently two games back of the last wild-card spot.

However, it remains hard not to give them the benefit of the doubt. They’re the Chiefs after all. But the excuses are mounting up. The offense can go full quarters without scoring, despite being second in EPA per play, and the defense just allowed seven yards per play to the Cowboys.

The Chiefs were down to three backup offensive linemen against the Cowboys, but Patrick Mahomes (76.4 grade; 11th) went nuclear — completing 23-of-34 pass attempts for 261 yards and four touchdowns, earning a 71.3 overall PFF grade. Still, it wasn’t enough. The Chiefs are 6-6 and are looking as desperate as we’ve ever seen them.

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Around the NFL

Mark Andrews agrees to 3-year extension with Ravens | ESPN

The extension is worth $39.3 million and includes $26 million guaranteed, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Andrews, 30, was scheduled to be a free agent at the end of the season.

This season, Andrews became only the second tight end in the NFL to hold a franchise’s receiving “triple crown,” joining the Kansas City Chiefs‘ Travis Kelce. Andrews is the Ravens’ career leader with 473 receptions, 5,862 yards receiving and 56 touchdown catches.

Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft among finalists for Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 | NFL.com

Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft may once again share an NFL stage.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced on Wednesday five individual finalists for potential induction into the 2026 class, including Kraft as a contributor and Belichick as a coach.

Ken Anderson, Roger Craig and L.C. Greenwood are the three senior finalists.

It’s the second season under the revised HOF induction process, which was intended to make it more exclusive. To be inducted, a candidate must garner at least 80% of the full Selection Committee votes. The committee will vote at its annual meeting next year in advance of the class unveiling during Super Bowl LX week in San Francisco. Each member may vote for only three of the five finalists.

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride

Chiefs-Cowboys Thanksgiving matchup shatters television ratings record

According to a report from The Athletic — quoting a “source with knowledge of the data” — the Chiefs’ 31-28 loss was viewed by an average of 57.2 million viewers. That breaks the previous record of 42 million (set by the Cowboys’ 2022 Thanksgiving matchup with the New York Giants) by a whopping 36%.

We expected the game to break the viewership record. A game with substantial playoff implications on a national holiday — and featuring the old-school “America’s Team” against the 21st century’s version — almost guaranteed it. But shattering the record by such a large margin makes a strong statement about the Kansas City team’s current appeal. That is driven not only by its recent success, but also by the stardom of quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the popularity of a certain celebrity couple.

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