The Kansas City Chiefs are eyeing an early Christmas miracle this Wednesday as they prepare to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in a pivotal matchup. With just two games left in the regular season, a victory over the Steelers would clinch the coveted No. 1 seed in the AFC, granting the Chiefs a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs—a critical asset in their pursuit of a historic three-peat.
The stakes couldn’t be higher, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes acknowledged the significance of the moment while maintaining a focused mindset:
“I don’t think you talk about it, but everybody knows. I mean, it’s – you want to get that one seed to get that bye (week) so that you’re basically winning a playoff game by getting the one seed. You get that and you’ll have home-field advantage as well at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, which we feel like is a huge advantage for us,” Mahomes said. “You can’t put all your attention to it. All you can do is go out there and play football and know that we’re going to play a great football team and it’s going to take our best football to win.”
Path to the No. 1 Seed
The Chiefs have enjoyed a near-perfect season, suffering just one loss so far. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills, who hold the AFC’s second seed, sit three games behind Kansas City in the loss column. Although the Chiefs control their destiny, other scenarios could secure the top spot without additional wins. If the Bills falter in either of their last two games—against the New York Jets or the New England Patriots—the Chiefs would lock up the No. 1 seed automatically.
That said, Kansas City would rather control its fate, starting with a Christmas victory over Pittsburgh. Following that, they will wrap up the regular season against the Denver Broncos. Winning out would eliminate any lingering uncertainties and send the Chiefs into the postseason with maximum momentum.
The Steelers Challenge
While the Steelers have been inconsistent this season, they are no strangers to playing the role of spoiler. Kansas City will need to deliver its best performance, particularly on offense, where Mahomes and his high-powered unit have thrived all year. The Chiefs’ defense will also need to step up, especially as they look to avoid the lapses that occasionally creep into late-season games.
A Christmas Gift for Kansas City
Securing the top seed on Christmas Day would not only provide the Chiefs with a significant strategic advantage but also solidify their claim as the dominant force in the AFC. For a team that has already built a reputation as a postseason powerhouse, earning a week off and home-field advantage could be the edge they need to achieve their ultimate goal: a third consecutive Super Bowl victory.
As Santa Claus prepares his deliveries, Chiefs fans will be hoping he has one extra gift in his sleigh—a win over the Steelers and the promise of home-field advantage come January.
