NFL Could Be Without Ratings Magnet Chiefs For Nearly a Month

Andy Reid trotted into the Chiefs locker room following their Christmas Day win in a Santa outfit and announced his present to the roster: home-field advantage throughout the AFC Championship Game.

Kansas City clinched the AFC’s top seed following a blowout win over the Steelers during the opening game of Netflix’s Christmas Day doubleheader Wednesday. But Reid may have another gift for the team chasing the NFL’s first threepeat in the Super Bowl era: He has the opportunity to give his starters nearly a month off.

The Chiefs face the Broncos in Week 18, but with the top seed already clinched, Reid can choose to rest his starters. History shows that Reid prioritizes rest when his team has secured its playoff spot—he’s rested his starters on the final week of the season four times since joining Kansas City in 2013. That includes his starting quarterback: Alex Smith in 2013 and 2017, and Patrick Mahomes in 2020 and last season. 

Because the Chiefs will have a bye in the Wild Card Round, the next game for their starters would be in the Divisional Round, which is scheduled for the January 18–19 weekend. That means Kansas City could have as many as 25 days off before they begin their playoff run. 

Recent History

In 2020, Kansas City had 21 days between games after resting in the final week and their first-round bye. They would ultimately lose to Tom Brady and the Buccaneers in the Super Bowl that year.

The rest gives the Chiefs a reprieve after playing three games in 11 days for the first time in franchise history. The NFL has adjusted its schedule this season—adding Christmas Day games on a Wednesday and a Black Friday game for the second time—and Kansas City has played a game on six different days of the week, with Tuesday being the sole outlier.

Before this last 11-day stretch, Mahomes said it was “not a good feeling” to play the cramped schedule—though the Chiefs would end up sweeping the three-game gauntlet.

Kansas City has been the NFL’s viewership darling this season, overthrowing the Cowboys as the biggest draw. While the league’s numbers may see a dip without Mahomes and Travis Kelce on national TV in Week 18 and the Wild Card Round, a deep playoff run will likely make up for their absence—especially with another potential Bills-Chiefs rivalry match on the horizon.