In our week 16 writer predictions, the Kansas City Chiefs are expected to grind out a close victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
Coming off a mini-bye week, the Kansas City Chiefs are expected to beat the Seattle Seahawks in a close matchup. After a disappointing loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football, the Chiefs were rewarded with 10 days to prepare for the Seahawks. The Seahawks are working on a normal schedule and are coming off a loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Both teams are in need of a win, but the Seahawks need one more. The Chiefs want to win to all but lock up the AFC West and stay in control of home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. At 11-3, the Chiefs are tied with the Chargers for the best record in the AFC. The Chiefs have the tiebreaker of the Chargers, however, and currently hold the top playoff spot. With a Chiefs win and a Chargers loss this week, the Chiefs can not only clinch the AFC West, but also the #1 overall playoff seed.
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The Seahawks want to win to stay in the playoffs. Sitting at 8-6, the Seahawks have to worry about the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Redskins who are just behind them at 7-7. It’s a tight race, and a win for the Seahawks would be very reassuring for their playoff chances.
The Chiefs look like the early favorite, as the Seahawks are only 2-6 this year against opposing teams that have scored 24 or more points, and the Chiefs have scored at least 26 points in every game they’ve played. On top of this, with Patrick Mahomes at quarterback, the Chiefs have not lost two games in a row. However, things were looking up for the Chiefs before their game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Regardless of stats, the matchup in Seattle will be challenging for the Chiefs. The weather is predicted to be stormy, making it potentially challenging for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs to get the offense moving. Also, playing in Seattle will be challenging because the Seahawks stadium is one of the NFL’s loudest. (Not louder than Arrowhead, though.)
Our writers are unfazed by the tough road game in Seattle or potential bad weather, as all but one predicted the Chiefs to win. None of them, however, believed that the Chiefs win would come easily.
Drew Brooks
The Chiefs have a tough matchup against the Seahawks, but with Eric Berry playing more than just half of the game, I think the Chiefs will be able to win. There’s no doubt in my mind that if Berry had played in the second half of the Chiefs’ loss to the Chargers, the end result would have been a Chiefs victory. The rain wasn’t enough to slow down Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs against the Jacksonville Jaguars in week 5, and it won’t be enough to slow them down this week. Chiefs 31, Seahawks 27
Matt Conner
I think the Chiefs have slowed in recent weeks, and I think they hit rock bottom (relatively speaking) this week. The Ravens, Broncos and now Chargers have shown how to best defend the Chiefs, and the Seahawks have the pieces and coaching staff to do just that. I think we’ll see Mahomes look as human as ever and Chiefs fans won’t know what to think after next Sunday afternoon. Seahawks 24, Chiefs 17
Jalon Dodson
The Kansas City Chiefs had an off-game last week, one that pretty much every team has had this season. With Eric Berry seeing more playing time than last week, hopefully, the Chiefs will be able to play hardball and keep Russell Wilson under wraps. The Chiefs’ offense won’t be stopped and will bounce back from last week. Chiefs 31, Seahawks 24
Greg Florkowski
With both teams looking to rebound from disappointing division losses, this should be a good game. Primetime in Seattle always seems to produce a good game and with one of the NFL’s hottest teams coming to town the 12th Man better prepare. Patrick Mahomes and his talented offense will easily score on the Seahawks, but the true question is can the struggling Chiefs defense Russel Wilson and the Seahawks Offense. I think the expanded role of Eric Berry, as well as the extra couple days of rest, will give the Chiefs the advantage they need to take control of the AFC picture heading into the final week against the Raiders. I am looking at Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill to have bounce-back games. Chiefs 28, Seahawks 24
Jacob Harris
The extra few days prove beneficial for a Chiefs team that has consistently not been able to get it done in big, impactful primetime games. Russell Wilson does everything in his power to drag the Seahawks to victory, but it’s not quite enough. Mahomes is great, the defense looks awful, and the Chiefs get a win while not really changing anyone’s opinion of their Super Bowl chances. Chiefs 31, Seahawks 28
Matthew Loomis
One little stat that nobody is talking about: Patrick Mahomes has not lost two games in a row as a Chief. Show Time is going to put this game on his shoulders and pull out a victory in a very hostile environment. I also like the Chiefs whenever Andy Reid gets extra preparation time, as he did for this game. Chiefs 27, Seahawks 24
Caleb Lucas
Playing at CenturyLink is not for the faint of heart, but home field advantage isn’t a catchall excuse for opposing teams’ missteps. KC and Seattle have nearly identical home win records and margin-of-victory totals over the past 5 seasons I attended the last KC vs. Pit playoff game at Arrowhead, it didn’t matter how rockin’ the stadium was. The opposing team came to play and left with a W and the same will happen Sunday. Chiefs 35, Seahawks 31
Ellen Tolsma
The Chiefs are coming off a mini-bye and a heartbreaking loss to the Chargers. They now have to travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks who are fighting to stay alive. This game is important for both teams. I don’t buy into the “hangover” that Seattle could have after their loss in overtime to the 49ers. What I can buy is Patrick Mahomes and his ability. With Eric Berry hopefully playing his first full game, I see the Chiefs pulling out a win and moving one step closer to the number 1 seed. (Side note: I think the Chargers will lose which will give the Chiefs the #1 seed next week.) Chiefs 31, Seahawks 24
Grant Tuttle
In a tough road matchup, the Chiefs will come away with a victory on the backs of Patrick Mahomes and Eric Berry. Kansas City edges the Seahawks on a late touchdown from Tyreek Hill. Chiefs 31, Seahawks 27
Thomas Welte
After a crushing Thursday night loss to the Chargers, the Chiefs are going on the road in a high-pressure game for both teams. The Seahawks are trying to cling to their playoff spot, while the Chiefs look to lock up the #1 seed in the AFC. This is a tough game to predict, but the one thing we have seen from Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs this year is they bounce back strong. I think Mahomes has a 4 touchdown game and locks up his claim for MVP, and the #1 seed in the AFC. Chiefs 41, Seahawks 33
Mason Whitlock
Berry plays more, which boosts the defense even with Fuller being out. Schwartz is a possible no go, along with Erving. Watkins wouldn’t and shouldn’t play until the postseason. Even with that being said, I like the Chiefs in this game. The “Legion of Boom” is no more and the Seattle defense can be exploited. Damien Williams has 100+ yards from scrimmage and Mahomes throws for 300+ and 2 touchdowns. Chiefs 31, Seahawks 21