The AFC wildcard race is going down to the wire, with a few teams battling for that last playoff spot. The Denver Broncos can clinch it with a win over the Kansas City Chiefs, but if they lose, the Miami Dolphins have a chance to sneak in. And then there’s the Cincinnati Bengals, a team that’s been a rollercoaster of emotions this season. They can still make the playoffs with a win and some help, but it’s a long shot.
But here’s the thing: the Chiefs might just throw a wrench into the whole thing. They’ve already locked up the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye, so their Week 18 game against the Broncos doesn’t really matter. There’s a good chance they’ll rest their starters, including Patrick Mahomes, and give some of their backups a chance to play.
Now, this raises some interesting questions. Some folks are saying the Chiefs might even intentionally lose the game to avoid facing the Bengals in the playoffs. The Bengals have given the Chiefs some trouble this season, and they’re starting to heat up at the right time.
But this whole situation also highlights a bigger issue in the NFL: Should teams be allowed to rest their starters in meaningful games? The NBA has a rule that prevents teams from sitting healthy players in important games, but the NFL doesn’t have anything like that.
It’s a tough situation. On the one hand, you want to see the best players on the field in every game. But on the other hand, teams have to prioritize the health of their players and their playoff chances.
Ultimately, I hope the Chiefs play their best guys and try to win the game. It’s the fair thing to do, and it’s what the fans deserve. But if they do decide to rest their starters, it’s going to create a lot of drama and controversy. And hey, that’s what makes the NFL so exciting, right?
