Chiefs-Raiders flexed to late window

Originally, the Kansas City Chiefs were going to be playing the Oakland Raiders at 12:00 p.m. CST in Week 17. However, because of the AFC West title being up for grabs, the National Football League has moved the game back to 3:25 p.m. CST, to coincide with the Denver Broncos hosting the San Diego Chargers.

The Broncos play the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football to close out Week 16, and regardless of the result, the AFC West will be up for grabs on the final Sunday.

Should Denver beat Cincinnati, it will only have to beat the Chargers to take care of business and get the second seed (and perhaps the first should the New England Patriots fall to the Miami Dolphins) in the AFC playoffs. However, a Broncos loss to the Bengals would mean the Chiefs could beat the Raiders and be locked into the third seed.

While some will complain about the Chiefs being moved into the later window on CBS, I personally love it. How can you not enjoy seeing the lights come on at Arrowhead Stadium, especially if Kansas City controls its own destiny in the division? The team has won nine straight games and that streak includes a 34-20 win over the Raiders back in Week 13 in O.co Coliseum.

This is going to be a great close to the regular season, and then the Chiefs hit the postseason, knowing who their playoff opponent will be.