The updated playoff picture has Chiefs fans fearing the worst

The Kansas City Chiefs lost to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving, giving the team a worrisome outlook on the playoff race.

In 2025, it was a tough season for the Kansas City Chiefs and it continued with a huge Thanksgiving game against the Dallas Cowboys. Both teams entered Week 13 with five losses, making it a must-win game for both teams.Unfortunately for Kansas City, Dallas was the team that came out on top, winning a thrilling battle 31-28.

The loss drops the Chiefs to 6-6, and with five weeks left in the regular season, they will need a special run to keep their playoff run going.At 6-6, Kansas City is still in the playoff race, but actually punching its ticket to the postseason will be an uphill battle after Thursday's loss.This is where the Chiefs currently sit in the AFC playoff picture.

The AFC playoff standings have been updated following the Chiefs Thanksgiving loss to the Cowboys

2. Denver Broncos (9-2)

3. Indianapolis Colts (8-3)

4. Baltimore Ravens (6-5)

5.Los Angeles Chargers (7-4)

6. UJackson Well Jawazor (7-4)

7. Buffalo Billwood (7-4)

8. Houston Texans (6-5)

9. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5)

10. Kansas City Chiefs (6-6)

11. Miami Dolphins (4-7)

12. Cincinnati Bengals (3-8)

13, Cleveland Browns (3-8)

14. Las Vegas Raiders (2-9)

15. New York Young (2-9)

16. Tennessee Titans (1-10)

The Chiefs are currently No. 10, three points out of a playoff seed.Ahead of Kansas City are the 6-5 Steelers, 6-5 Texans and 7-4 Bills.With the Chiefs wrapping up their Week 13 playoff run, they could have plenty of help on Sunday.Pittsburgh will play the Buffalo Bills, and Houston will play the Indianapolis Colts.The Steelers and Texans are both underdogs, and if both lose, they will be 6-6 with Kansas City.

Regardless of what happens to other teams, leaders have to control what they can control, which is their own games.If Kansas City is going to make mistakes this year, it probably can't afford to lose another game.The Chiefs closed out the regular season by hosting a bunch of familiar opponents, the Texans and Los Angeles Chargers on the road.They will return home to take on the Denver Broncos, and finish the regular season on the road against the Las Vegas Warriors.

If Kansas City goes 5-0 so far, it will finish the regular season with a record of 11-6.That would likely secure a spot in the playoffs, but the Chiefs will need to play better to win the remaining games.