Kansas City claim AFC’s No. 1 seed with a 31-13 win vs. Las Vegas as Patrick Mahomes and co. star

The Kansas City Chiefs clinched the top seed in the American Football Conference and a first-round bye with a 31-13 victory over the hosts Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday in the NFL teams’ regular season finale.

Given the NFL’s decision to cancel Monday night’s game between Buffalo (12-3) and Cincinnati (11-4) after Bills safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest, the Chiefs (14 -3) entered the Week 18 contest in control of their playoff. sowing

But due to a change in the playoff structure given that Buffalo and Cincinnati will have played one fewer game when the regular season ends on Sunday, the Chiefs are not guaranteed home-field advantage for the AFC Championship if they make it that far.

Victory means the Chiefs get a first-round playoff bye and are AFC champions

Patrick Mahomes said the Chiefs’ goodbye “is like winning a playoff game” for the team

The Chiefs wasted no time getting on the board on this one as Patrick Mahomes connected with receiver Justin Watson for a 67-yard gain on the second play from scrimmage before a short TD pass to Jerick McKinnon three plays later. .

Ronald Jones, Kadarius Toney and Isiah Pacheco each scored for the Chiefs, while Harrison Butker kicked a 44-yard field goal.

For their efforts, the Chiefs can sit out of the NFL Wild Card round of the playoffs next weekend before returning in the divisional round the following week against the lowest remaining seed AFC.

“Getting that bye, it’s like winning a playoff game,” Mahomes said. “Now we just have to focus on looking tomorrow and then next week to see who we play against and come out with the best football.”

If the Bills, who were in control of the No. 1 seed before Monday’s game, beat the New England Patriots on Sunday and face the Chiefs in the penultimate round of the playoffs, the game would be played at a neutral site.

During pregame warmups, players from both teams wore ‘Love for Damar 3’ jerseys in support of Hamlin, who continues to make progress in his recovery while breathing on his own but remains in critical condition.

Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco waves to the crowd after his team’s fifth straight win

It was another terrific performance from Mahomes and his team will be hard to beat in the playoffs.

Before the game, players from both teams wore ‘Love for Damar’ jerseys after Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest on the field in Monday’s game.

Hamlin, 24, collapsed on the field during a game last Monday in Cincinnati moments after making a tackle and then had to restore his heart rate. Hamlin began waking up two days later and has since had his breathing tube removed.

As part of a unified show of support for Hamlin, Raiders public address announcer Eric Smith addressed the crowd before singing the US national anthem.

“Throughout this week, the entire NFL family has been praying for Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills as he continues his recovery,” Smith said. “And we thank the first responders and the medical professionals involved in his care.”

Smith then asked everyone present to observe “a moment of support and love” for Hamlin and cheer for the safety of the Bills and his family as they continue their fight.