The Kansas City Chiefs’ triumph over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day delivered more than just a thrilling victory—it secured the coveted No. 1 overall seed in the AFC. With this achievement, the team earns a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. For quarterback Patrick Mahomes, this milestone carried even greater personal significance.
A Special Gift for His Family
Mahomes revealed his determination to secure the top seed stemmed from more than just football. It was a promise he made to his wife, Brittany, who is pregnant with their third child and due any day.
“I told my pregnant wife I was gonna get her the No. 1 seed so we can go have that baby,” Mahomes shared after the game, clearly elated. “So we got the one seed.”
The High Stakes Behind the Bye Week
Before the game, Mahomes sat down with Kay Adams and explained why clinching the bye week had taken on such urgency. He disclosed that Brittany’s due date was rapidly approaching, and the stress of a season filled with nail-biting one-score games had taken its toll.
“Brittany says I’ve been stressing her out too much this season,” Mahomes admitted with a laugh. “So I gotta try to not put so much stress on her through these football games and get the bye. Hopefully, God works the right way, and maybe we can have the baby on the bye week, and everything will work out perfectly.”
Preparing for Week 18
Despite locking up the No. 1 seed, Mahomes told reporters he is preparing as if he will start in the Chiefs’ Week 18 game against the Denver Broncos. However, the star quarterback added that if Brittany goes into labor, the playoffs are no longer a concern, and his priorities will shift to being by her side.
“If she goes into labor, football can wait. But ideally, the timing works out, and we can welcome our new baby during the bye week.”
A Season of Challenges and Triumphs
The Chiefs’ path to the top seed hasn’t been without challenges. This season has seen the team involved in numerous tightly contested games, leaving fans—and Brittany—on edge. However, the resilience of Mahomes and his teammates has prevailed, culminating in a 14-1 record heading into their final regular-season matchup.
Looking Ahead
With a week off and home-field advantage secured, Mahomes and the Chiefs can now focus on their playoff preparation while awaiting the arrival of their newest family member. As Mahomes dreams of the perfect scenario—a playoff bye week doubling as a chance to welcome his child—fans and teammates alike will be rooting for everything to align seamlessly.
For now, all eyes are on Week 18 and the Mahomes family’s growing roster. Will the baby’s arrival sync up with the Chiefs’ playoff bye? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: Mahomes is playing for more than just football glory this season.