The Kansas City Chiefs took care of business on “Sunday Night Football” defeating the Denver Broncos 22-16. They swept the Broncos this season, which also means that the team has officially clinched a playoff berth. All the team needed to do to clinch this week was to come away with the win and they did just that. This marks the sixth consecutive season that the Chiefs have made it to the playoffs. It’s the third consecutive season that the team has done so with Patrick Mahomes as the starting quarterback.
Unfortunately, Kansas City didn’t get the help they needed from the New York Jets to secure their fifth consecutive AFC West title. Had the Jets beat the Las Vegas Raiders, the Chiefs would have more to celebrate. Instead, they’ll likely have to wait until Week 14 to clinch the AFC West.
All the team needs to do in order to clinch the AFC West is to get a win against the Miami Dolphins on the road. There are other scenarios, but the most likely path is to secure another win. That would make it impossible for Las Vegas and Kansas City to end the season in a tie and immediately crown the Chiefs AFC West champions. Last season, the Chiefs didn’t clinch a playoff berth until Week 14. They also won the AFC West that week.
After all of the clinching is wrapped up for the K.C. the only thing at stake will be seeding. They’re currently the No. 2 seed in the AFC and they’ll need a Pittsburgh Steelers loss somewhere in the next five weeks if they’re to compete for the No. 1 seed in the conference. If the Steelers and Chiefs finish with the same record, it would go to tiebreakers.
We’ll have more on tiebreakers in our weekly playoff picture article. Pittsburgh is set to face the Washington Football Team on Monday afternoon, so be sure to keep an eye on that game. For now, relish the fact that this team is back to the playoffs.
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