Updated AFC Playoff Picture after Chiefs Week 18 win

The Chiefs made it look easy beating the Raiders to clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Here’s what the AFC Playoff Picture looks like now.

The AFC playoff picture has gotten complicated by the cancelation of Monday Night Football between the Bills and Bengals, but the Chiefs took the field against the Raiders on Sunday knowing they controlled one simple thing. A win would clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC.

Going into Allegiant Stadium, Kansas City didn’t mess around, except when they played ring-around-the-rosie, besting the Raiders 31-13.

The victory gives them the No. 1 seed and bye to start the playoffs. Now they have to wait for other results to find out what their playoff path might look like.

Updated AFC Playoff Picture after Chiefs’ Week 18 win

1. Chiefs (14-3) — won at Raiders, 31-13, clinched No. 1 seed
2. Bills (12-3) —  vs. Patriots
3. Bengals (11-4) — vs. Ravens
4. Jaguars (8-8) — vs. Titans
5. Chargers (10-6) — at Broncos
6. Ravens (10-6) — at Bengals
7. Patriots (8-8) — at Bills

Left out:

• Dolphins (8-8) — vs. Jets
• Steelers (8-8) — vs. Browns
• Titans (7-9) — at Jaguars

The Chiefs needed to win to see off the Bills in the race for the No. 1 seed.

However, their pursuit of home-field advantage is out of their hands. If the Bills beat the Patriots and both teams advance to the AFC Championship Game, it will be held at a neutral site. If Buffalo loses, then Arrowhead Stadium would play host if KC made it through to the conference title game.

Patrick Mahomes did his part to ensure the Chiefs didn’t trip up against the Raiders, who were led by Jarrett Stidham instead of Derek Carr. He had 202 yards passing, 29 yards rushing and set the new NFL record for total yards in a season.

With Mahomes playing at an MVP level, the Chiefs will look to make it to their fifth AFC title game in five seasons. All they’ll need is one win in the divisional round to get there. Then? All eyes on a Super Bowl.