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NFL Playoff picture: Chiefs clinch No. 1 seed in AFC, first-round bye with win over Steelers

Brian Jones Profile Picby:Brian Jones12/25/24

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Kansas City Chiefs
Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

The Kansas City Chiefs have clinched the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye in the playoffs after defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-10 on Christmas Day. This means the Chiefs will need to win only two games in the playoffs to reach Super Bowl LIX which will be played in New Orleans on Feb. 9, 2025.

Kansas City has one more regular season game, a road contest against the Denver Broncos next weekend (official date has yet to be announced). The Chiefs will then have a bye before playing in the divisional round of the playoffs on either Jan. 18 or Jan. 19. They are looking to be the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls.

With the win against the Steelers, the Chiefs improved their record to 15-1. The 15 victories are the most the Chiefs had in the regular season in franchise history. After a loss to the Buffalo Bills on Nov. 17, the Chiefs have won their last six games and finished the regular season undefeated at home.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes had one of his best games of the year against the Steelers, throwing for 320 yards and three touchdowns. Tight end Travis Kelce had a historic day, catching a touchdown to become the Chiefs’ all-time receiving TD leader with 77.

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More on the Kansas City Chiefs and playoffs

Having some time to rest will be good for the Chiefs who are dealing with injuries to key players. Defensive lineman Chris Jones missed the Steelers game because of a calf injury. And Mahomes is dealing with an ankle injury he suffered in the game against the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 15.

Before the Steelers game, Mahomes talked about playing on Christmas Day for the second consecutive year. “It sparked us to win the Super Bowl, so it ended up working out, but you want to make sure that you go out there and put up a better performance for everybody to see,” Mahomes said about the Chiefs losing to the Las Vegas Raiders on Christmas Day last year, per ESPN.

“It is really cool playing the first Netflix game, playing on Christmas Day in front of the whole nation. It’s an honor, and so we will go out there trying to do what we can to not have the same experience we had last Christmas.”