Tom Brady: What his suspension means for Chiefs

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has been denied his appeal. What does it mean for the Kansas City Chiefs?

On Wednesday, the second circuit court of appeals announced that it will not grant Tom Brady an appeal of his four-game suspension at the start of the 2016 National Football League regular season. This doesn’t come as a total shock but it does hammer home just how hamstrung the Patriots will be come September 11 when they open the campaign against the Arizona Cardinals.

So, what does this news mean for the Chiefs? Plenty.

New England is one of the teams that Kansas City will be competing with for home-field advantage and a BYE in the AFC playoffs come January. With Brady out for the first four games, he will miss contests against the Cardinals, Dolphins, Texans and Bills. If Jimmy Garoppolo isn’t good or is simply rusty from not playing a meaningful down of football in three years, this could be devastating to New England.

The Patriots will still win the AFC East and likely get somewhere near 11 wins, but that makes life easier on the Chiefs. Kansas City could get to 12 wins (look at the schedule) and if it does that, there is a good chance that a BYE is in the offing.

Brady’s suspension won’t keep the Patriots from the playoffs, but it could massively impact the seeding toward the top of the AFC playoff picture.