Kansas City claims AFC West
The defending Super Bowl champions the Kansas City Chiefs clinched the AFC West division title on Sunday afternoon after a crucial victory against the Miami Dolphins. The Chiefs now sit at 12-1 on the season as they now set their eyes on winning the AFC outright.
The Chiefs had already booked themselves a spot in the playoffs with a win over the Denver Broncos last weekend, but clinching the division now ensures they will have home field advantage for at least the first playoff game with the potential to host every game leading up to the Super Bowl depending on where they ultimately finish.
Kansas City have now won the division in five consecutive seasons, having claimed the AFC West every year since 2016. They had never won the division in back-to-back years prior to the current streak starting.
While Miami kept Sunday’s contest close all the way until the end of the game, Kansas City was too much for the Dolphins to handle with Patrick Mahomes and company putting up 33 points against one of the league’s top defenses. Despite being picked off three times on the occasion – his first multi-interception game in more than two years – Mahomes recovered nicely to finish with 393 yards and two touchdowns on the day.
Superstar wide receiver Tyreek Hill helped torch Miami on Sunday, scoring on a 32-yard run before adding a 44-yard touchdown reception at the start of the third quarter.
Kansas City can’t afford to lose focus now though, with three games remaining in the regular season. They travel to New Orleans next week to take on the Saints in what could prove to be one of the most entertaining contests of the year. Much like Kansas City, the Saints have a potent offense capable of putting up points at will when playing at their best.
The Chiefs then conclude the campaign with consecutive home games against the Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Chargers.
Kansas City won just the second Super Bowl in franchise history last season and the first since 1969, when they took down the San Francisco 49ers 31-20 in the showcase game last February.
Miami on the other hand, is now in the battle of their lives as they fight for a playoff spot in the competitive AFC. They currently sit second in the AFC East behind the Buffalo Bills with an 8=5 record.
They’ve got a difficult final three games ahead of them as they get set to host division rivals the New England Patriots next Sunday afternoon at Hard Rock Stadium. They finish up the regular season with two tough games on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders and the aforementioned Buffalo Bills. The Dolphins will need to win at least two of their final three games, including a victory against the Raiders in Las Vegas if they have any chance of reaching the playoffs. If Miami does manage to make it to the postseason, it’ll be their first trip since 2016 and just their second time in since 2008.
