The Kansas City Chiefs are not in the drivers seat in the AFC this season – but that does not mean that they’re out of the race for a playoff spot. Patrick Mahomes and company have the chance to clinch their eighth consecutive AFC West division title over the weekend – and the playoff berth that comes with it.
Speaking on ‘CBS Mornings’ on Friday, Mahomes is ensuring Chiefs fans that all is okay and there’s no reason for concern. ‘I think people just aren’t used to us winning in this fashion,’ Mahomes admitted. ‘We’ve won a lot of close games, but we haven’t won those close games this year – but we’re right there. We know that.
We watch the film, we see the good that’s out there – we also see the bad and where we need to get better. But you can’t panic, I think that’s the thing.’
The Chiefs will be taking on the Las Vegas Raiders on Christmas Day – with a win extending their streak of division titles to eight in a row. Only the New England Patriots have won more division titles consecutively – when they won 11 straight from 2009-2019. While the Chiefs are still in the hunt for the No. 1 seed in the AFC, that is a much harder task. But it’s also one that Mahomes doesn’t view as the most important.
‘Everything’s out in front of us. And everybody talks about the No. 1 seed, the No. 1 seed, the No. 1 seed,’ the quarterback said. ‘I’m like “I’ve been to the Super Bowl without it being the No. 1 seed before.” So I think it’s just more about how can you find a way to win the game ahead of you and let the rest take care of itself.’
Kansas City’s offense has not been as reliable and consistent as it has been in the past. A lot of the blame for that can be seen in the Chiefs’ passing game – but mostly due to the poor play from wide receivers. A week after a costly offsides call cost Kadarius Toney a touchdown, the receiver dropped a pass that led to an interception by the Patriots last weekend.
Those offensive issues will be tested against a strong Raiders defense that coach Andy Reid has spent the week preparing for. ‘They’re great,’ he told reporters on Thursday. ‘You better keep it high and tight, we’ve had a couple that have popped out and you know they’re going to go after the ball. But they do a nice job of doing that.’ The Chiefs host the Raiders on Monday at 1:00 p.m. ET.
