On the final Sunday of the NFL regular season, there has been a shakeup in the AFC playoff picture. With a win over the Los Angeles Chargers, the Kansas City Chiefs have clinched the No. 2 seed in the AFC after the Miami Dolphins beat the New England Patriots per Nate Taylor.
The Chiefs didn't rest any starters in Week 17 due to the unlikely possibility that the Dolphins upset the Patriots on the road. In the end, it was the right decision as Miami aided in Kansas City getting the No. 2 seed in the AFC.
As a result, the Chiefs now have a first-round bye and home-field advantage in their first playoff game. On the other hand, the Patriots will have to play on Wild Card weekend for the first time in 2009.
Of course, the Baltimore Ravens remain as the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a 13-2 record. Regardless of what the Ravens do on Sunday, they will remain atop the AFC and have home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
While many have picked the Ravens or Patriots to represent the AFC, the Chiefs have gone overlooked among the contenders. There's no doubt that Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City would like to remain as the underdogs moving forward.
Last year, the Chiefs were able to have the home-field advantage when they faced the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. To the dismay of fans at Arrowhead Stadium, New England was able to defeat the Chiefs on the road.
Provided that, the Chiefs understand that having home-field advantage in the playoffs could mean absolutely nothing. At the same time, Andy Reid would rather have a rematch against Bill Belichick at home instead of taking place in Foxborough.