The Kansas City Chiefs are in an extremely awkward situation that does not usually befit a team that is fresh off winning the AFC five times in six years. Not only are they outside of the playoff picture at 6-6, but they need some help from other teams in the postseason hunt to help them get back in.

The Chiefs find themselves multiple games behind the AFC West-leading Denver Broncos and the Wild Card-occupying Los Angeles Chargers. However, the Chiefs might be better positioned to get back on the horse and actually make a run at the playoffs after the latets news surrounding Justin Herbert.

Herbert suffered a hand injury in an easy victory against the moribund Las Vegas Raiders that was so severe that head coach Jim Harbaugh immediately confirmed that Herbert was going to undergo an operation on that hand on Monday.

With the Chiefs at 6-6 and the injury-riddled Chargers at a very precarious 8-4 with Herbert suffering this latest ailment, there is a chance that his play is hampered for the remainder of the season. Kansas City teams of yesteryear would use this run of good fortune to get back on their feet, plug ahead, and make a sincere push to contend.

Chiefs may receive playoff chances boost after Justin Herbert hand injury

No. 1 New England Patriots (10-2) vs. BYE
No. 2 Denver Broncos (9-2) vs. No. 7. Buffalo Bills (8-4)
No. 3. Jacksonville Jaguars vs. No. 6. Indianapolis Colts (8-4)
No. 4. Baltimore Ravens (6-6) vs. No. 5. Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)

In The Hunt: Houston Texans (7-5), Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6), Kansas City Chiefs (6-6)

While Herbert himself seems to think everything is alright, even going as far as to imply he will be out there on Monday Night Football against a very good Philadelphia Eagles defense, that statement means he will either play at way less than 100% health or eventually give up and let Trey Lance start.

The Chiefs and Chargers will meet one again in the regular season, which will give Kansas City the chance to avenge a season-opening loss in Brazil that set the tone for 2025. LA also has games against the Cowboys, Texans, and Broncos coming up after that.

The Chiefs will also face off against Houston and Denver in their last five games, but they also draw two worse-off teams in the Titans and Raiders. The idea of the Chiefs fading out of the playoff hunt may come to fruition in the same way many believe.