For Pete's Sake

There is a good chance Tyreek Hill & the Dolphins will face Chiefs in KC in playoffs

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) carries the ball against Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie in the second half during an NFL International Series game at Deutsche Bank Park.
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) carries the ball against Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie in the second half during an NFL International Series game at Deutsche Bank Park. USA TODAY Sports

During a guest spot on a WHB (810 AM) podcast last year, former Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill promised to put up his signature peace-sign celebration upon his return to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

“Kingdom, when the Dolphins come to Arrowhead Stadium this year, guess what we’re going to do? Guess what we’re going to do?” Hill said with a laugh. “I hate to say it, man. I hate to throw up the peace sign against y’all. I hate to do it. Guess what? I’m gonna be your worst enemy that day. I’m gonna be your worst enemy that day.”

Hill, who was traded to the Dolphins in March 2022, thought his big moment would come last fall because the Chiefs were on Miami’s schedule. Instead, the NFL moved the game to Frankfurt, Germany.

As we head to final week of the NFL’s regular season, we know the Chiefs are locked into the No. 3 seed in the postseason. That means the Chiefs will face the No. 6 seed at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on either Jan. 13 or Jan. 14.

NFL Research noted that one of five teams will finish in the sixth spot in the AFC playoff field: the Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans or Miami Dolphins.

There are 32 possible outcomes for the AFC seeding based on this weekend’s games (excluding ties). In 50% of those outcomes, the Dolphins end up as the sixth seed. That would be a lock if Miami loses at home to the Bills in the very last game of the regular season.

If Buffalo wins that “Sunday Night Football” game, the Bills would be the AFC East champs. Miami would be the No. 6 seed and headed to Arrowhead.

There also is a 12.5% chance of the Bills, Steelers, Colts or Texans getting the No. 6 seed.

Here are the potential outcomes of the seeding for the AFC playoffs depending on this weekend’s games via NFL Research.

If you want to have some fun with the potential playoff seeding in the AFC, the ESPN Playoff Machine will show you how things change based on game outcomes.

A fan made this video of what could happen to seeding in the AFC playoffs depending on game outcomes. For instance, the Bills could be the No. 2 seed or out of the playoff field.

@sportsbettingtiktok Replying to @Karson Wulf ♬ original sound - Peel & Pamper - p.a.u.p.a.u.p.a.u

Although the Chiefs have nothing to play for regarding playoff seeding, KC fans will have plenty to watch in Week 18 of the NFL season.

This story was originally published January 2, 2024 at 8:15 AM.

Pete Grathoff
The Kansas City Star
From covering the World Series to the World Cup, Pete Grathoff has done a little bit of everything since joining The Kansas City Star in 1997.
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