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AFC West report: KC Chiefs clinch the division (again!)

ByEllen Mathis|
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 26: Byron Pringle #13 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates a touchdown with his team during the third quarter in the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Arrowhead Stadium on December 26, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 26: Byron Pringle #13 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates a touchdown with his team during the third quarter in the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Arrowhead Stadium on December 26, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
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Dec 26, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones (95) and defensive end Frank Clark (55) and quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) pose for pictures as the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers winds down at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones (95) and defensive end Frank Clark (55) and quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) pose for pictures as the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers winds down at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs hosted their last regular-season home game on Sunday and dealt a smackdown to the Steelers with key players missing. As COVID flew through the halls of Arrowhead (excuse me GEHA Field at Arrowhead), the Chiefs lost Travis Kelce, Lucas Niang, and Nick Bolton ahead of Sunday’s matchup. No matter. The next-man-up mentality was on full display as we saw Byron Pringle, Mecole Hardman, Darryl Williams, and Derrick Gore step up to fill roles.

This was also a beautiful pass to Derrick Gore…

The defense collected turnovers all day and the game was never in doubt. Charvarius Ward had the pick of the year evidenced on one great photograph:

If the Chiefs keep playing this way, they are going to be a tough out in the playoffs. Especially if they hold onto the one seed. Having clinched the AFC West with Sunday’s win and the Chargers’ loss, the Chiefs now only need to care about winning out to earn the coveted bye.

Thankfully, the Chiefs got good news coming out of this game. Clyde Edwards-Helaire went down with a shoulder/collarbone injury that looked serious. Tests revealed he did not sustain structural damage and is considered week to week. The Chiefs are also getting back key players from the COVID list in Kelce, Niang, and Bolton. All good as they look to head into a key matchup against the suddenly prolific Bengals.

Sunday’s game is a big one. The Bengals sit atop their division and hope to earn a (near) top spot in the AFC picture and a home playoff game while the Chiefs hope to hold onto the one seed and a bye. Joe Burrow is playing great and his weapons can be deadly. This will be an excellent matchup and I am so excited to watch this battle.

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