AFC West report: Three teams could still make the playoffs in Week 18

Kansas City Chiefs

Rant time. Look, the Chiefs gave up a 3rd and 27, so they definitely had issues on Sunday. The offense only scored three points in the second half. Adjustments weren’t made. I get all that. But there were some terrible calls at the end of the game that certainly helped the Bengals.

Officiating in the NFL is a mess and you are seeing it routinely—this is not an isolated incident and the Chiefs have, at times, benefited from it. However, that doesn’t make it right. L’Jarius Sneed was not interfering or personal fouling. Ward didn’t have his hands on the faces of others. The Bengals most certainly started falsely. All these things happened at the end of the game and helped the Bengals.

Should the Chiefs have been in a position where those calls decided the game? No. But here we are.

The Chiefs no longer hold the top seed and will likely have to face the Chargers in the Wild Card round, a very tough matchup because the teams know each other so well. Not an ideal situation. They also have to play three games to make the Super Bowl. It just makes it more difficult.

But if any team can handle it, the Chiefs can, and, if things shake out right, there’s a chance we get a Bengals rematch which I would certainly welcome. I would bet Ja’Marr Chase is not left on an island with Ward.

For all the things that went wrong, let’s recognize the good: Mahomes to Demarcus Robinson was an insanely good touchdown. Beauty of a throw:

I also figured out that if you throw the ball to Robinson in the end zone, he CAN’T RUN BACKWARDS. Solved the puzzle everyone.

Now the Chiefs head to Denver for the final regular-season game. Denver will be without Teddy Bridgewater and without some key defensive pieces as well as offensive lineman Dalton Risner. I fully expect the Chiefs to handle business. In the best-case scenario, they get such a good lead that starters can rest.

This will be important heading into the playoffs given the loss of Lucas Niang. I also ruptured my patellar tendon about a year ago. I feel for him and wish him the best in his recovery. He is a talented guy that I hope can bounce back better than ever.

As we head into the final game of the season, I’m ready for some Saturday football, and my one wish is that it is stress-free, full of touchdowns, and ends in a massive Chiefs victory.