With just two weeks remaining in the regular season, many NFL teams are still fighting for playoff spots or better seeding to secure home-field advantage.
Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce in the frame
Highlights:
The Chiefs’ victory over the Steelers was part of an impressive streak that now sees them winning 21 of their last 22 games.
As the Chiefs head into the playoffs, Patrick Mahomes is peaking at the perfect moment.
With just two weeks remaining in the regular season, many NFL teams are still fighting for playoff spots or better seeding to secure home-field advantage. However, the defending back-to-back champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, can essentially take a break for the next two weeks after clinching the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Their dominant 29-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day—their largest margin of victory this season—ensured that Kansas City will have a first-round bye. This accomplishment marks their third No. 1 seed in the past five years, making the Chiefs’ path to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans go through Kansas City for AFC teams. Chiefs are all set to vye for an historic Three peat which hardly few teams have achieved in sports history let alone NFL.
The Chiefs’ victory over the Steelers was part of an impressive streak that now sees them winning 21 of their last 22 games, dating back to the previous season. With this win, they also set a new milestone, becoming only the eighth team in NFL history to record 15 wins in a season, joining an elite group that includes Cam Newton’s 2015 Carolina Panthers.
As the Chiefs head into their final regular-season game against the Denver Broncos, they have a chance to tie the 2007 New England Patriots for the most regular-season wins in NFL history. The Patriots finished the season undefeated at 16-0, but with the NFL expanding to an 18-week schedule starting in 2021, the Chiefs are set to face challenges in comparing their performance to teams from the past.
The Chiefs’ ongoing pursuit of a historic three-peat—a feat only briefly achieved by Tom Brady’s Patriots—has put them in a position to challenge for an unprecedented achievement in NFL history.
A Cautionary Tale: Brady’s 2007 Season
However, the Chiefs’ chase for history also comes with a cautionary lesson. Tom Brady’s legendary 2007 season ended with an unexpected Super Bowl loss to Eli Manning and the New York Giants, despite the Patriots’ perfect regular-season record. The Chiefs are mindful of this and, while looking to make history, are keen on maintaining their focus for the playoffs.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has an impressive 13-1 record against the Broncos, but it is likely that he will sit out the next game, with Carson Wentz expected to step in to help the Chiefs secure another win and potentially set a new regular-season win record. Despite the possibility of a loss to the Broncos—who are still vying for a playoff spot—the Chiefs’ focus remains clear: their quest for the historic three-peat and continued dominance in the postseason.
Chiefs Focus on Winning, Not Style
While the Chiefs’ victories might not have been as spectacular or high-scoring as in previous seasons, their primary goal remains clear: winning. The rest for Mahomes will be beneficial, especially after a slight injury he sustained against the Cleveland Browns. Additionally, Travis Kelce, who holds the NFL record for most postseason receptions (165), will be ready to deliver his best performance when the playoffs begin.
The Chiefs also have an advantageous playoff positioning, likely avoiding potential challengers like the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens until the AFC Championship Game. The Bills, who handed the Chiefs their only loss this season, remain one of the biggest threats, but Kansas City’s ability to rest their stars is an advantage.
Mahomes on Fire at the Right Time
As the Chiefs head into the playoffs, Patrick Mahomes is peaking at the perfect moment. Over his last six games, Mahomes has thrown 11 touchdowns with no interceptions, a remarkable feat that has made him nearly unstoppable. With 237 passes thrown without a single interception, Mahomes is in peak form, making the Chiefs a team to be reckoned with in the postseason.
Marquise Brown has also returned just in time to bolster the Chiefs’ passing attack alongside DeAndre Hopkins, who is chasing his first Super Bowl ring, and the ever-reliable Travis Kelce. On the ground, the duo of Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt has the potential to terrorize opposing defenses, providing a powerful running game that complements the Chiefs’ aerial attack.
Defensive Strength Sets Chiefs Apart
One of the key factors contributing to the Chiefs’ success is their dominant defense, which has been the strongest aspect of their team since last season. As the team continues to build on both sides of the ball, their balanced attack—with Mahomes, Kelce, and a solid defensive unit—makes them one of the most well-rounded teams heading into the playoffs.
Despite their challenges and the pressure of chasing history, the Chiefs’ focus remains unshaken: they are all-in for a third consecutive Super Bowl and a spot in NFL history.
