How Did the Kansas City Chiefs Become the No.1 Seed in the AFC?

The Kansas City Chiefs have become the No. 1 seed in the AFC during Week 15 of the NFL season. Let us rewind and see how the Chiefs climbed the AFC playoff seeding ladder to obtain the top overall seed.

Week 1 Was Filled with Hype for the Kansas City Chiefs

Heading into the season, many analysts predicted the Week 1 matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cleveland Browns as an AFC Championship showdown. The hype heading into the home opener was off the charts, and fans were clamoring for the season to kick off. The Chiefs would pull off a victory that was missing some key players, winning 33-29. Week 2 would not be any easier for the defending AFC champs as they would head into enemy territory to take on the Baltimore Ravens.

The Chiefs and the Ravens battled for four quarters in an early must-win for these two teams. The game would sway in the Ravens favor as starting running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire would fumble on what could have been a game-winning drive by the offense. This game would signify the start of the rocky road. If the Chiefs were figuratively a car, the wheels would fall off, the check engine light would be on, and a dreaded crack in the windshield would impede where they were going.

The Kansas City Chiefs Would Lose 3-Out-Of-4 Games

Kansas City would lose the next 3-out-of-4 games to AFC opponents. As stated above, KC would lose to the Ravens 36-35 and the Chargers 30-24 the following week. Their lone win was against the Eagles 42-30. The final game of that four-game stretch would result in a loss to the Bills 38-20. This team would be sitting at a record of 2-3 and in last place of the AFC West. The offense was turning the football over at an astronomical rate, and the defense struggled to apply pressure to opposing quarterbacks. Fans were in shock and awe, and rightfully so.

Are the Kansas City Chiefs Playoff Contenders?

The Chiefs would head into Week 6 against the Washington Football Team looking to get the train back on the track. KC would win 31-13, but a true test would come against the Tennessee Titans. The Titans would live up to their name and win 27-3. The questions began to arise, is this Chiefs team going to make the playoffs? Are they worn out from playing in three consecutive AFC Championships and two Super Bowls? Has the league figured out Patrick Mahomes and the offense? Why is this defense bad? Are jobs on the line? Many of the mainstream analysts used the word overrated as they described KC.

The Kansas City Chiefs Would Do the Unimaginable

What Kansas City would do for the next stretch of games was almost unimaginable. They would go on an incredible seven-game win streak defeating the Green Bay Packers, the Dallas Cowboys, the Las Vegas Raiders twice, and the Los Angeles Chargers. This win streak would catapult this team from the bottom of the AFC West to the top. Not only were the Chiefs atop the AFC West, but they were also sitting in 1st place of the AFC. In Week 15, NFL fans witnessed the New England Patriots get upset by the Indianapolis Colts, and the Tennessee Titans would fall to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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This team has demonstrated the ability to overcome adversity in all forms. Whether they are tested by injuries, the pandemic, or their opponent, they find a way to win. This is a true definition of what it means to be a team. Having the ability to overcome adversities is a true sign of greatness as this team looks to reach their fourth straight AFC Championship and a third consecutive Super Bowl appearance.

What Is Next for the Kansas City Chiefs?

The Chiefs are currently the No.1 seed with a 10-4 overall record. Kansas City still has some tough opponents to wrap out the season. The first game is against the Pittsburgh Steelers. This will be the last regular-season home game for the Chiefs. The next opponent will be the Cincinnati Bengals who like the Steelers, are fighting for the top spot in the AFC North. The regular season will wrap up in Denver, Colorado, as the Chiefs face the Denver Broncos.