The AFC playoff rules have been changed, and the Chiefs... largely benefitted?
Examining what the NFL has done with playoff seedings, how the Chiefs largely ended up beneficiaries, and the idea of earning a 1-seed.
I generally tend to stay out of discussion on issues that aren’t related to film, analytics, or some other form of analysis of the Chiefs. But given we’re watching some unprecedented things unfold, I thought it may be appropriate to offer some thoughts regarding the Chiefs, the AFC playoffs, and what exactly is going on. I also want to talk about how Kansas City benefits from today’s decision by the NFL, and how it does not. But first, the obvious background primer.
After Monday Night Football’s game between the Bengals and Bills was called off following a frightening incident regarding safety Damar Hamlin’s heart (there’s been nothing but good news regarding his health the last several days, which is terrific and of course of paramount importance!), the league eventually made a call to not replay the game. This, of course, was somewhat problematic (in a situation full of problematic choices) given the importance of said game to the AFC playoff race.
I don’t need to walk you through all the scenarios, as I can’t imagine you’re reading this if you’re not already somewhat familiar with the AFC standings. But the short story is this; coming into last week, BUF (12-3), KC (12-3), and CIN (11-4) were in a tight battle for the top 3 seeds in the AFC, with BAL (9-6) having an outside shot at catching CIN in the AFC North
Because both BUF and CIN missed out on the opportunity to get a win (or the risk of a getting a loss), the “no contest” game messed with playoff standings. The Chiefs and Ravens both picked up wins, which gave them an edge against whichever team would have won Monday night’s game. You with me still?
Now, because the Bills did not pick up a win Monday, the Chiefs can grab the best winning percentage in the AFC by virtue of the extra played game IF they beat the Raiders on Saturday. Before that, the Bills held their fate in their own hands. And so, in an effort to try and make things more “fair,” the league met and came up with a proposal to try and smooth out the wrinkles created in a tight playoff race.
There’s a LOT to go through here, and fans of every team involved seem to have some issues with how things were decided. Chiefs fans are upset that the normal rule of win/loss percentage isn’t being followed. Bills fans are upset that they lost control of their own fate. Cincinnati fans are upset for a PLETHORA of reasons (and have the best case I think).
But of course, we’re here we talk about the Chiefs. So I want to offer some thoughts on what the NFL has done. I’ll start with what has changed, the ways the Chiefs can potentially benefit vs the ways they potentially pay a penalty over something they had no control over, then offer some thoughts on the idea of being “gifted” a 1-seed (as is the general sentiment from non-Chiefs fans at the moment) IF they’re able to beat the Raiders.
Let’s talk about it, sticking primarily with what affects Kansas City (though I’ll talk a bit about the Bengals and Bills as well, and why I think the Bengals got the worst of all this) and how the ended up largely benefiting from the events of the last week.