The Kansas City Chiefs are set to rest star quarterback Patrick Mahomes and other key starters in their Week 18 clash against the Denver Broncos, a decision that could dramatically reshape the AFC playoff picture.
The defending champions, having already secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC, are likely to field Carson Wentz as starting quarterback for the crucial match in Denver.
This strategic move could significantly impact the playoff hopes of multiple teams, including the Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts.
Mahomes, who has been managing a mild high-ankle sprain since Week 15, has played through the injury effectively in recent games, completing 72.2 percent of his passes.
Patrick Mahomes looks set to be rested against the Broncos
Reuters
The decision to rest him, as reported by Jay Glazer on “Fox NFL Sunday,” would give the quarterback three weeks of healing time before the Chiefs’ postseason opener in the divisional round.
Other key players nursing injuries, including Chris Jones with a calf issue, are also expected to sit out the Denver game.
For the Denver Broncos, the path to the playoffs has become remarkably straightforward – they need only to defeat the Chiefs’ backup squad in Week 18 to secure their spot.
This would mark the end of Denver’s playoff drought that has persisted since their Super Bowl 50 victory.
The Broncos’ chances of success have improved significantly with the Chiefs’ decision to rest their starters, potentially ending their eight-year stretch without a postseason appearance.
The Chiefs’ decision could dash playoff hopes for multiple AFC contenders, all of whom need Denver to lose in Week 18.
The Bengals, who have historically challenged Kansas City in the postseason, require a Broncos loss, a victory against Pittsburgh, and either the Dolphins or Colts to drop at least one game.
The Dolphins’ path involves winning their remaining matches and the Colts losing once, while Indianapolis needs to win out and have Denver lose, alongside specific outcomes from other teams.
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Carson Wentz is likely to deputise for Patrick Mahomes
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The Chiefs face a strategic dilemma with their decision to rest players, as it could mean a 24-day gap between games for Mahomes and other key starters.
Historical precedent suggests caution, as a previous instance of resting Mahomes before a playoff bye led to an unexpectedly close game against Cleveland in the divisional round.
There’s also the possibility that a victorious Broncos team could return to face the Chiefs in the divisional round, having gained momentum from three high-stakes games in the interim.
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