The Denver Broncos’ path to clinching a playoff berth just got a little easier after the Kansas City Chiefs confirmed Patrick Mahomes will not play in Sunday’s regular-season finale.
The Broncos host the Chiefs at Mile High Stadium on Sunday needing a victory to improve to 10-7 on the season and punch their ticket to the playoffs. And instead of facing the two-time NFL MVP, Carson Wentz will be under center for the Chiefs.
The reigning back-to-back Super Bowl champion Chiefs have locked up the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a 15-1 record ahead of the final game of the regular season, meaning head coach Andy Reid can afford to rest his stars and give his backups a shot in Denver on Sunday. The Chiefs also captured their ninth consecutive AFC West title weeks ago, giving them 17 total division titles, two more than the Broncos, Raiders and Chargers.
“It wasn’t a hard decision,” Reid said on Wednesday. “I’ve been through it before. It gives the other guys an opportunity to grow.”
While the decision to sit Mahomes is a welcome boost for Sean Payton and the Broncos, it is a blow for both the Cincinnati Bengals and Miami Dolphins. Both teams are at 8-8 on the year and need the Broncos to lose on Sunday to keep their hopes of snatching a wildcard spot alive.
The Dolphins need to beat the New York Jets (4-12) at MetLife Stadium on Sunday and hope the Chiefs win in Denver, while Joe Burrow and the Bengals need to take care of business against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday and hope both the Dolphins and Broncos to lose the following day.
Former Philadelphia Eagles star and 2016 No. 2 overall pick Wentz, 32, has not started a game this season, completing just two passes for 20 yards after Mahomes suffered his latest ankle injury. He last started a game almost a year ago to the day, leading the Los Angeles Rams to win over the San Francisco 49ers in a regular-season finale matchup filled with backups after both teams had already secured their playoff spots.
Mahomes is unlikely to be the only star player to be rested by the Chiefs, with tight end Travis Kelce and pass rusher Chris Jones among prime candidates to also be given the day off.
Mitch Holthus, the Chiefs’ radio play-by-play announcer, insists Reid will be desperate for his team to beat Denver, even if it opens the door for a dangerous Bengals team which has beaten them in the playoffs before to sneak in.
He said on 96.5 The Fan: “Thats the most nonsensical thing somebody can say. Andy Reid has proven [it] because hes played everybody. Whos he not played in the playoffs and beaten in New England with [Tom] Brady? Hes done it and hes not arrogant. Chiefs will stay sharp. Trust me. This quarterback, this coach they will stay sharp.
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