The Denver Broncos’ path to a playoff berth has become a little easier after the Kansas City Chiefs announced Patrick Mahomes will not play in Sunday’s regular-season finale.
The Broncos host the Chiefs at Mile High Stadium on Sunday, needing a win to improve to 10-7 on the season and secure their playoff spot. Carson Wentz, the Chiefs’ quarterback, will take over for the two-time NFL MVP.
The reigning back-to-back Super Bowl champion Chiefs have secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a 15-1 record heading into the final game of the regular season, allowing head coach Andy Reid to rest his stars and give his backups a chance in Denver on Sunday.
The Chiefs also won their ninth consecutive AFC West title a few weeks ago, giving them 17 overall division titles, two more than the Broncos, Raiders, and Chargers.
“It wasn’t a hard decision,” Reid said on Wednesday. “I’ve gone through this before. “It allows the other guys to grow.”
While the decision to sit Mahomes benefits Sean Payton and the Broncos, it hurts the Cincinnati Bengals and Miami Dolphins.
Both teams are 8-8 on the season and need the Broncos to lose on Sunday to keep their hopes of securing 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 beat the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday and hope both the Dolphins and Broncos lose the next day.
Former Philadelphia Eagles star and 2016 No. 2 overall pick Wentz, 32, has yet to start a game this season, completing only two passes for 20 yards since Mahomes’ latest ankle injury.
He last started a game nearly a year ago to the day, leading the Los Angeles Rams to a victory over the San Francisco 49ers in a regular-season finale matchup with backups after both teams had already secured playoff spots.
The Chiefs are likely to rest tight end Travis Kelce and pass rusher Chris Jones in addition to Mahomes.
According to Mitch Holthus, the Chiefs’ radio play-by-play announcer, Reid will be desperate for his team to beat Denver, even if it means allowing a dangerous Bengals team—which has previously beaten them in the playoffs—to sneak in.
He said on 96.5 The Fan, “That’s the most illogical thing anyone can say. Andy Reid has proven [it] by playing everybody.
Who has he not faced in the playoffs and defeated in New England alongside [Tom] Brady? He has proven himself, and he remains humble. Chiefs will remain sharp. Trust me.” The quarterback and coach will stay sharp.”
