The Chiefs face a dilemma.

They can try to knock the Broncos out of the playoffs next weekend with a win in Denver, or they can do it what they normally do If the final game of the regular season means nothing to their playoff fortunes, give the starting quarterback and other key starters a break.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes made his debut seven years ago. The Chiefs-Broncos game in Week 17 meant nothing, so Alex Smith sat and Mahomes played.

In general, no team should want a division rival coming to town for a one-game, winner-take-all playoff showdown. Division rivals know their opponents well. They don’t allow themselves to be intimidated like other teams. And they would love nothing more than to derail a special season.

The Broncos simply have to win on Sunday to get in. A loss to the Chiefs likely means Denver’s streak without a playoff appearance since winning Super Bowl 50 extends to nine.

There’s another reason for the Chiefs to consider playing Mahomes and other key starters, even if just for a quarter. With the bye secured and the additional break on Wednesday, there are 25 days between games for Mahomes, Travis Kelce, etc.

What if the Broncos win on Sunday, upset the Bills in the wild card round (which isn’t a crazy thing) and then advance to Arrowhead in the divisional round after three high-stakes games since Mahomes’ last game. played games?

The Chiefs gave Mahomes a break once before in the final game of the regular season while holding a bye in the first round. And when Kansas City hosted Cleveland in the divisional round, the game was closer than expected. Would it have been without a three-week break between games for Mahomes and others?

There is one final point. Taking out the Broncos could open the door for the Bengals. And the Bengals went head-to-head with the Chiefs in the postseason, beating them in the 2021 AFC Championship and nearly beating them in the 2022 AFC Championship.

But there’s no guarantee the Bengals can get away with a Broncos loss. They still need the Colts or Dolphins to lose at least once, and the Colts close with the Giants and Jaguars. Therefore, it is possible that both the Broncos and Bengals will be eliminated.

That would be good for the Chiefs. And for everyone else in the 2024 playoff field.