Chiefs have say in AFC playoff picture that will stretch to NFL’s final weekend
The AFC playoff lineup is down to one available spot thanks to the Cincinnati Bengals’ crazy 30-24 overtime victory over the Denver Broncos on Saturday.
And the Chiefs will have a say in the matter.
Saturday started with the Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers in a position to clinch postseason spots with victories. The Chargers punched their ticket in coach Jim Harbaugh’s first season with L.A. by beating the New England Patriots 40-7.
The Broncos, meanwhile, could have slammed the door on three other contenders — the Bengals, Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins. And things looked promising after a dramatic 25-yard touchdown pass on fourth down from Bo Nix to Marvin Mims Jr..
That play tied the game 24-24 with eight seconds remaining in regulation. Neither team scored in their first two possessions of overtime, which included a 33-yard field-goal attempt by the Bengals’ Cade York that doinked off the left upright.
But the Bengals got the ball back. And Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow found Tee Higgins in the front corner of the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown, Higgins’ third touchdown of the game, to end it.
Denver (9-7) remains in the driver’s seat for the playoffs. Beat the Chiefs in Denver next weekend and the Broncos are in.
Because the Chiefs have clinched the AFC’s top seed, it’s likely Chiefs coach Andy Reid will sit most of his starters, including superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce, for that game.
The other teams still in the mix for an AFC playoff berth would need to win out, and have the Broncos lose to the Chiefs, in order to get in. The Colts (7-8) have games remaining at the New York Giants and at home the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Colts would be in the playoffs if they win out and the Broncos fall to the Chiefs.
The Dolphins (7-8) play at the Cleveland Browns and at the New York Jets.
The Bengals (8-8) finish their season at the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Dates and times for the NFL’s Week 18 games on Jan. 4-5 have not yet been announced.