The Kansas City Chiefs capped a dominant Week 17 performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers, securing a 39-10 victory and the AFC’s No. 1 seed. The win marks their third in 11 days, solidifying their position atop the conference and granting them the much sought-after first-round bye in the playoffs.
Head coach Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, Trent McDuffie, and Travis Kelce spoke to the media postgame sharing their thoughts after the game, highlighting the significance of the win and the team’s current state as the final week of the regular season approaches. Their comments focused on how far the Chiefs have come this season, particularly in the past two weeks, which Reid described as their “most complete games as a team.”
Kansas City Chiefs Secure the AFC’s First-Round Bye
Head coach Andy Reid acknowledged how important the first-round bye in the playoffs is for a team dealing with injuries and fatigue. “I think it will definitely help, with some of the guys that are banged up, to get guys back and freshen up a little bit,” Reid said, emphasizing its importance heading into the postseason.
Patrick Mahomes echoed Reid’s sentiments. “Getting that No. 1 seed is important—it’s like winning a playoff game,” Mahomes said. With the team enduring a grueling three-game stretch in just 11 days, he added, “It shows the toughness of the team, and I think we got better as the games went on.”
Trent McDuffie, one of the leaders on this Chiefs defense also spoke on this accomplishment. “Man I love it, he stated adding that securing home-field advantage in the playoffs is unmatched: “You just can’t beat Arrowhead in the playoffs.”
Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Momentum
Mahomes praised the offense’s progression over the past two weeks, noting their improving chemistry. “We’ve gotten better and better,” he said. “When you throw Hollywood [Brown] in there, it just sets everyone perfectly in their roles.” The offense has been firing on all cylinders, over the last two weeks with Mahomes and connection in particular really heating up as they were able to achieve some history in this week’s game.
Travis Kelce broke the franchise records for touchdown receptions and regular-season catches, celebrating his achievements with a signature touchdown dunk through the goalpost. “It’s showing Tony [Gonzalez] some love,” Kelce said, acknowledging the legendary tight end he surpassed. Mahomes also admitted the records were on his mind: “I’ve been trying to get him a touchdown for the past few weeks, but I was happy we got it done in the regular season.”
Kelce also reflected on the team’s perseverance during this challenging stretch. “It was a challenge, but there’s only one way to beat it—you take it head-on,” he said. The Chiefs’ offensive dominance in recent weeks goes to show what this team is capable of when they are clicking on all fronts.
Kansas City Chiefs’ Defensive Dominance Continues
The Chiefs’ defense delivered yet another strong defensive performance, forcing five sacks, a fumble, and an interception against the Steelers. Trent McDuffie praised the unit’s turnaround this season. “We’ve talked a lot about the lack of turnovers earlier in the year,” he said. “Things are starting to fall into place, and we’re starting to make plays on the ball.”
The defensive turnover surge recently has been crucial for the Chiefs as they head into the postseason. McDuffie spoke on how important turnovers and pressure on opposing quarterbacks can be when it comes to shifting momentum in big games. “I think it’s happening at the right time,” he said, confident that the team’s trajectory will continue as they look to make another deep playoff run.
Reid also commented on the team’s recent success across all three phases of the game. “I would probably say [the last two games were] our most complete showing as a team,” Reid said. He also stressed the importance of maintaining this momentum, adding, “The important thing is we continue that and keep getting better.”
Final Thoughts
As Kansas City enters the final week of the regular season with the playoffs in sight, they have a renewed sense of confidence and focus. The first-round bye not only allows their injured players to recover but also provides the coaching staff with additional time to begin preparing for what their potential postseason could look like.
While the team has achieved a milestone that’s only possible for teams in the NFL, Reid and his players remain grounded. “It’s an honor to be the No. 1 seed, but we know from last year anybody can beat somebody anywhere,” Kelce said. As they look ahead, the Chiefs will plan to use this momentum as a springboard toward what they hope to be another historic playoff run.
