The Kansas City Chiefs will have a difficult decision to make when they play the Denver Broncos in Week 18.
The 9-7 Broncos are still in playoff contention after their loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday, and Denver needs a win against Kansas City on January 5 to punch its ticket to the postseason.
If the Chiefs manage to defeat the Broncos, Cincinnati will have a chance to pull ahead of Denver in the playoff standings if the Bengals can earn a win over the 10-6 Pittsburgh Steelers in their final regular season game, and if the Miami Dolphins lose or tie against the New York Jets on Sunday.
These circumstances leave Kansas City in an enviable position—as the Chiefs could potentially end the season of one of their most bitter rivals, whether they win or lose in Week 18.
Should Kansas City’s backups simply do their best to stay healthy and capitulate to the Broncos, which would enable Denver to knock Cincinnati out of the playoffs?
Or, should the Chiefs do their level best to dismantle the Broncos for a chance to face Joe Burrow and the Bengals at Arrowhead Stadium in the divisional round and exorcise demons of postseasons past?
Ultimately, Kansas City can’t lose in Week 18, even if the Chiefs’ record falls to 15-2.
