As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare for their regular season finale against the Denver Broncos, a cloud of uncertainty hangs over Arrowhead Stadium. Head coach Andy Reid remains characteristically coy about his plans for Sunday’s starters, refusing to tip his hand on whether stars like Patrick Mahomes will suit up with the AFC’s top seed already secured. The decision carries major playoff implications for both sides, leaving the Broncos guessing as they fight for their Wild Card lives.
The Starters Dilemma: Rest vs. Rust
Reid faces a classic coaches’ conundrum: rest his key players to avoid injury risk, or keep them sharp to prevent playoff rust? With a first-round bye clinched, the Chiefs have the luxury of choice – but it’s a double-edged sword. As Reid astutely noted, “You’ve got to keep yourself relative with practices and make sure that you stay sharp.” The Chiefs’ last meaningful action was their Christmas Day win over the Steelers, meaning Mahomes and company could face a a 23-24 day gap between game speed reps if they sit out Week 18.
I’m not recommending that you do that every year…but I think we’ll be OK from it because of the rest that we gained here and that we also have the bye coming up.
Andy Reid on the extended break
Reid hinted that increased practice intensity could help offset any potential rust, but game speed is a different animal. Every coach has their own philosophy on this age-old playoffs quandary:
- Rest is a weapon. The healthier and fresher you are, the better. Avoiding injuries is paramount.
- Sitting players risks losing your edge. Football is all about timing and precision. Too much rest kills rhythm.
The Mahomes Factor
For a cerebral quarterback like Mahomes who thrives on making reads and improvising, there’s also the mental side to consider. While his physical gifts are undeniable, so much of his magic comes from being in sync with his receivers and having a feel for the flow of the game. You can practice routes and timing all you want, but there’s no substitute for live bullets to keep those instincts razor sharp.
Denver’s Desperation
Meanwhile, the Broncos have no such luxury of choice. It’s win or go home for Denver, who need a victory Sunday to punch their playoff ticket. You can bet Vic Fangio and his staff are scouring the tape, searching for any clues on what Reid might do. Preparing for Mahomes is a daunting enough task – now factor in the possibility of Chad Henne or Carson Wentz under center, and it’s an unenviable guessing game.
The Chiefs narrowly edged the Broncos 16-14 in their first meeting this year, so Denver knows they can hang tough. But a vengeful Kansas City squad playing for pride is a different beast than one with nothing to gain. The psychological chess match between coaches only adds to the intrigue of this pivotal regular season finale.
Sparing the Starters: Reid’s Past Precedent
If history is any guide, the Broncos should prepare for the Chiefs B-team on Sunday. In the 2020 season finale, Reid rested Mahomes and several other starters in a meaningless game before their playoff bye. The result? A fresh squad that cruised to the Super Bowl, blitzing the Browns and Bills en route to the big game.
While no two situations are identical, it’s hard to argue with that kind of success. Reid is a creature of habit and a master motivator – if he feels resting his stars gives the Chiefs their best chance at a championship, he won’t hesitate to do it again. Stacking the odds in your favor is the name of the game, even if it means sacrificing some sharpness in the short-term.
Whatever way the Chiefs go, Reid said they would pick up the pace some in practice…
Adam Teicher, ESPN
The Bottom Line
With playoff football on the horizon, the Chiefs are keeping their cards close to the vest. No amount of speculation will reveal Reid’s true intentions until game day – such is life in the NFL’s kingdom of competitive secrets. All the Broncos can do is prepare for the juggernaut that is the Kansas City Chiefs offense at full strength and let the chips fall where they may.
Should a JV squad emerge from the Arrowhead Stadium tunnel, Denver best not let its guard down. If anything, a more unpredictable Chiefs offense with unfamiliar personnel could throw the Broncos off their meticulously gameplanned scent. Backups with something to prove are often the most dangerous kind.
Regardless of what Andy Reid decides, one thing is certain: the path to Super Bowl LVIII still runs through Kansas City. Whether or not the Chiefs choose to show their full hand in Week 18, they remain the team to beat in a stacked AFC playoff field. How they get there – rested or rusted – will be one of the juiciest subplots to monitor as the tournament begins.
