Kansas City Chiefs secure the top seed for the first time in two decades

The Kansas City Chiefs have secured the #1 seed in the NFL playoffs for the first time in over two decades.

Eight different starting quarterbacks. Six different head coaches. 21 total years. That’s how long it’s been since the Kansas City Chiefs had the No. 1 seed heading into the NFL playoffs.

After a shaky second half of the season, the Chiefs have achieved a feat no Chiefs team has done since former quarterback Elvis Grbac and head coach Marty Schottenheimer did it back in 1997: secured the top seed for the AFC postseason.

The beginning of the season was a high-flying, joyous time for the Chiefs and its fans, week in and week out. As the middle of the season approached, the Chiefs’ defense caused it to fall to the New England Patriots in a heart-racing game in Foxborough. Hope was still alive, and K.C. was still in a great place, but something in the back of our minds forced flashbacks of the 2017 season where a great undefeated start turned into a woeful losing streak. The following game was a statement win against the Cincinnati Bengals, once again instilling hope into Chiefs fans.

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Later in the season, that hope was ripped away as the Chiefs fell to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 15, which sent the division up in the air. The Baltimore Ravens made things easier for the Chiefs, though, by beating the Chargers and helping the Chiefs out in the playoff picture. All the Chiefs had to do in Week 17 was secure a win and they would have the #1 seed, home-field advantage, and a first-round bye heading into the 2018 NFL Playoffs. They did just that.

While the defense did not look great, it did its job. It created turnovers, provided crucial third-down stops, and continued to make opposing quarterback Derek Carr uncomfortable in the pocket. The offense, while it had its struggles, looked to force the Raiders into a rout, and that is just what we needed.

As Chiefs fans, seeing our beloved team struggle is hard to watch. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is primed and ready for the postseason, as he led his team to an electrifying win against the Raiders.

One of the most electrifying plays was an 89-yard touchdown pass from Mahomes to wide receiver Demarcus Robinson that made history. With that aforementioned touchdown, Mahomes is just the second player in NFL history to throw for 50 touchdowns and 5,000 passing yards in a single season. What is more impressive about this, though: Mahomes is a first-year starter.

Heading into the playoffs with the #1 seed in the AFC gives the Chiefs and fans some hope, and Mahomes is right at the center of it. The team is going to need him to keep the pedal to the metal if they want even the slightest chance at a deep playoff run.

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