Spreadsheet Warriors: Texans

The latest newsletter from KCSN Sports Data Scientist, Joseph Hefner

Only three times in Chiefs history have they won 14 games in a season. All three of those times have been in the past 5 years. In 2020, where they went 14-2 after resting their starters in week 17 having locked up the bye, and lost to the Chargers. In 2022, they went 14-2 after trading Tyreek Hill, en route to their second Super Bowl in the Mahomes Era. And now, in 2024. The Chiefs just won their 14^th game of the season, and have two games left to break their franchise record of 14 wins in a season.

The Chiefs locked up at least the 2 seed with their win over the Houston Texans on Saturday. One more win, or a single Bills loss, locks up the 1 seed and first round bye in the playoffs. The Chiefs play the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas day, with a chance to lock up that bye week with a game remaining on the schedule.

If they do lock up the 1 seed on Christmas, they’ll have a choice to make: do they sit starters for the Broncos game in week 18, thus giving them two effective bye weeks, or do they play them at least a little for the Broncos game, to keep from becoming rusty. With injuries to Mahomes and Jones to manage, plus Jawaan Taylor spraining his knee on Saturday, having two games off may be the best option.