Despite playing down to the competition in a 17-14 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, the Kansas City Chiefs clinched the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs by winning in Week 16.
From a team perspective, there is quite literally nothing to play for in Week 17, when the Chargers are slated to come to Arrowhead Stadium to wrap up the regular season. Whether the Chiefs finish the season at 15-1 or 14-2, they'll still have a bye in the first round of the AFC playoffs, and host the lowest remaining seed in the divisional round.
With that acknowledged, does Patrick Mahomes expect to play in the season finale?
"I don't know," Mahomes said on "The Drive" on 610 Sports Radio in Kansas City. "To me, I'm just going to prepare like I am playing either way. You have to prepare like that for these divisional opponents regardless, because you know that you're going to play them again in future years. I haven't talked to Coach Reid or anything like that, but for me, I'll be prepared and ready to go either way."
Though Mahomes could theoretically change the outcome of the race by playing in Week 17, an underwhelming performance by the Chiefs mixed with Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers turning in a huge performance on Sunday Night Football likely decided who will win the 2020 NFL MVP. Anyway, Mahomes has already won the award once, and the 25-year-old will probably eventually challenge Peyton Manning for the most league MVPs (five) whether he wins this year or not.
Tight end Travis Kelce finds himself in a more unique situation. While a tight end isn't going to win NFL MVP, Kelce currently leads the NFL with 1,416 receiving yards, a new single-season record for his position. If Kelce plays in Week 17 - especially if Mahomes is throwing to him - he could end up leading the sport in receiving yards, which could allow him to win Offensive Player of the Year. However, if Kelce rests, he may very well be passed in receiving yards by any combination of DeAndre Hopkins, Davante Adams, Calvin Ridley and Stefon Diggs. Kelce is likely headed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame at the conclusion of his career regardless, but the 31-year-old probably won't get another chance to win this award.
Still, Mahomes says that he, Kelce and the entire team are focused on a much bigger goal than winning an individual award.
"I don't think he's really worried about that," Mahomes said of Kelce. "Obviously, it's a cool statistic to have for all of time, but at the same time, we want to win the Super Bowl. Whatever coach thinks is the best way to do that, we will do. I don't want to speak for him, but I think for us as a team, we're going to do whatever it takes to win the Super Bowl...if that's playing this week, then it's playing, and if that's not, it's not. It's not about individual statistics or individual awards, it's about going out there and getting that big trophy at the end of the year."
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