The Kansas City Chiefs ended their 2024 regular season with a meaningless, yet forgettable, performance against the Denver Broncos, suffering a 38-0 defeat.
The Chiefs approached this game with little urgency, given the lack of playoff implications for them. They didn't do anything creative on offense or defense, and they blitzed Denver quarterback Bo Nix on just 9.1% of his dropbacks.
The Chiefs' primary objectives were to keep players healthy and give Carson Wentz some live-game repetitions. While the final score wasn't pretty, Kansas City can easily brush this one off.
After the regular season finale, what do the final playoff standings look like in the AFC? Who clinched the final playoff spot in Week 18?
AFC Playoff Standings
1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-2)
2. Buffalo Bills (13-4)
3. Baltimore Ravens (12-5)
4. Houston Texans (10-7)
5. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
7. Denver Broncos (10-7)
Eliminated: Cincinnati Bengals (9-8) and Miami Dolphins (8-9)
The Ravens dominated the Browns, clinching both the AFC North title and the #3 seed in the AFC. The Bengals kept their postseason dreams intact by fending off the Steelers. The Titans' loss to the Texans guaranteed them the first pick in the draft. The Colts prevailed over the Jaguars in an overtime battle.
The Broncos blanked the Chiefs to claim the AFC's last playoff berth. The Patriots' victory over the Bills cost them the #1 pick in the draft, with Jerod Mayo's dismissal following the game. The Chargers secured the AFC's #5 seed by taking care of business against the Raiders. The Jets topped the Dolphins in a contest that ultimately held no playoff implications.
The playoff stage is set. The Bills welcome the Broncos, the Ravens will face the Steelers, and the Texans will host the Chargers in the Wild Card matchups. Meanwhile, Kansas City earned a first-round bye and will be spectators as these games unfold.
In the Divisional Round, Kansas City will welcome whichever surviving Wild Card team has the lowest seed - be it Houston (4), Los Angeles (5), Pittsburgh (6), or Denver (7). The NFL's re-seeding format ensures the top seed faces the lowest-ranked team in the Divisional Round.
The Chiefs wrapped up their actual regular season campaign by manhandling the Steelers in their Christmas Day matchup. Their impressive 15-2 record secured the AFC's top seed, and they'll enter the postseason at basically full strength.
Concerns about excessive rest for the Chiefs can be dismissed. In 2020, the Chiefs emerged from a three-week break to defeat the Browns in the Divisional Round, ultimately advancing to the Super Bowl that season.
The path to a three-peat will not be easy. The Chiefs appear to have found their winning formula in recent victories over Houston and Pittsburgh. Maintaining this momentum will likely lead to them hosting their sixth AFC Championship in seven years, leaving them just one home victory shy of yet another Super Bowl appearance.