Kansas City, MO – Heading into Week 13 of the NFL season, there had been no playoff spots clinched. However, that changed dramatically when the Kansas City Chiefs secured their playoff position with a thrilling 19-17 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday. This impressive win means the Chiefs are now the first team to clinch a playoff berth for the upcoming 2024 season.
Prior to the game, Kansas City had several scenarios in which they could wrap up a playoff spot. The easiest path came with the Miami Dolphins losing to the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving night, which set the stage for the Chiefs to make their mark. With their recent victory, the Chiefs accomplished something that hasn’t been seen in the NFL for 26 years—becoming the first team to clinch a non-divisional playoff berth with five weeks still left in the season. The last team to achieve such an early playoff berth was back in 1998 when both the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons reached the playoffs in Week 12.
Unfortunately for the Raiders, the outcome of the game means they have become the first team in the AFC and the second overall in the NFL to be officially eliminated from playoff contention this season, following the New York Giants.
While the Chiefs have secured their playoff spot, they still have the opportunity to clinch the division title later. This upcoming weekend will bring more excitement as the Buffalo Bills could also clinch the AFC East with a victory against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night. If successful, the Bills would join the ranks of the 2009 Colts as teams that clinched a division title with at least five weeks to go in the season.
Additionally, the Detroit Lions are looking to clinch a playoff spot this weekend, but their qualifications are a bit more complex than those of the Chiefs or Bills. As the season progresses, more teams will have their chance to secure a better position heading into the playoffs.
