Cairo Santos provided all of the Chiefs offense in the loss at Pittsburgh (photo/NFL)

Cairo Santos provided all of the Chiefs offense in the loss at Pittsburgh (photo/NFL)

Alex Smith passed for a season-high 311 yards, but the Chiefs lost for the fourth time in five games and put their playoff chances in jeopardy, losing at Pittsburgh 20-12.  The Chiefs need to beat San Diego next week and get some help to make it back to the playoffs.

This is a game the Chiefs should have won.  They are second in the NFL in red zone success, but didn’t have it today despite outgaining the top offense in the NFL.  In six trips into Steelers territory, the Chiefs managed just four field goals by Cairo Santos, a Jamaal Charles’ fumble and a fourth-down gamble late in the first half that came away with no points, when Charles was stopped on 4th and inches.

The Chiefs, who are 8-7, must win next week against San Diego, at 9-6.  The Chiefs must also get help from Cleveland who faces Baltimore. The Ravens are 9-6 and hold the other wild card edge with San Diego.  The Texans, at 8-7, finish with the 3-12 Jaguars, further complicating the Chiefs chances to get it.