Say this about the Chiefs’ playoff chances:

There’s no avoiding the top contenders down the stretch. The NFL season is closing in on the midway point, but the Chiefs have opened a substantial lead in the AFC playoff race.

Their 7-0 record, which has happened only two other times in franchise history, has the Chiefs two games ahead of the next group of contenders, with three teams at 6-2. But the Chiefs have games remaining against all the division-leading teams.

In fact, the Chiefs have a total of six games remaining against the six other teams that would be in the playoffs if the postseason started today. The biggest surprises among the AFC contenders: the Denver Broncos and LA Chargers.

The Broncos haven’t reached the playoffs since winning the Super Bowl in 2015. The Chargers finished 5-12 last season. The Chiefs defeated the Ravens and have won at the Chargers. They have two games to play against the Broncos, with games at Pittsburgh and Buffalo and a home game against Houston. According to NFL.com, the Chiefs have a 99% chance to reach the playoffs for the 10th straight season.

ESPN gives the Chiefs a 96% chance to win the AFC West for the ninth straight year, a 68% chance to be the No. 1 seed and receive a first-round bye and a 32% chance to reach the Super Bowl. The best Super Bowl odds in the NFC belong to the Detroit Lions at 31%.

For the Chiefs, four games remain against teams that are outside the playoff picture, starting with the next game on “Monday Night Football” at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Also in that group: games at Cleveland and Carolina and at home against the Raiders.

Here are the seeding orders entering Week 9:

AFC PLAYOFF STANDINGS

1. Chiefs (7-0)

2. Houston Texans (6-2)

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2)

4. Buffalo Bills (6-2)

5. Denver Broncos (5-3)

6. Baltimore Ravens (5-3)

7. Los Angeles Chargers (4-3)

NFC PLAYOFF STANDINGS

1. Detroit Lions (6-1)

2. Washington Commanders (6-2)

3. Atlanta Falcons (5-3)

4. Arizona Cardinals (4-4)

5. Green Bay Packers (6-2)

6. Minnesota Vikings (5-2)

7. Philadelphia Eagles (5-2)