NFL: Kansas City Chiefs prepare to ‘heal’ ahead of playoffs; Jacksonville Jaguars seal number one pick in draft

In a normal season, 12 teams would advance to the playoffs — six from each conference, with the number one and two seeds awarded first round byes. The third to sixth seeded teams fight it off in the Wild Card round, before facing one of the first and second seeds in the Divisional round games.

In this coronavirus affected season, the NFL has increased the number of teams from 12 to 14. Consequentially, this year only the number one seed is awarded a bye for the opening round of the playoffs. This is in addition to earning home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Despite Sunday’s victory, the bullish Chiefs were self-critical following the game.

Reid said he was “proud” of the team for its 14-1 record, but later added: “We just weren’t as sharp as we need to be.”

He also took responsibility for a result which, on paper, was closer than it should have been against a Falcons team that went into the game with a 4-10 record.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was similarly critical of his performance.

Mahomes added: “The defense played their tail off to keep us in that game and give us a chance, and the offense found a way to score a touchdown when we needed to.

“So that’s just that ‘championship swagger’ that Tyrann [Mathieu] would say, of knowing when to win the game even when you’re not playing well.”

Tank for Trevor is over

At the other end of the standings, the Jacksonville Jaguars have secured the wooden spoon.

In the eyes of many, that is a job very much well done.

Bottom of the AFC, and with the worst record in the entire NFL, the Jaguars have been awarded with the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. That means they might get the opportunity to select generational quarterback talent Trevor Lawrence from Clemson.

Having won their season opener against the Indianapolis Colts, the Jags have now lost 14 consecutive games.

For much of the season, it looked likely that the New York Jets would take the first overall pick. Two weeks ago, they had zero wins and looked destined to clinch only the third 0-16 season in NFL history.

Shock wins against the LA Rams and Cleveland Browns, however, puts the Jets at 2-13. Even if the Jaguars win next week, and the Jets lose, Jacksonville has the number one pick tied up.

Lawrence won the 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship with Clemson as a freshman and finished as a runner up to the Joe Burrow-led Louisiana State in 2020.

He will lead the number two seed Tigers in the Sugar Bowl against third seed Ohio State. If Clemson win that game, Lawrence will have made three College Football Playoff National Championship finals in three years.

But if he declares for the 2021 NFL Draft, it is highly likely the league’s commissioner Roger Goodell will be calling his name before any other and that the 21-year old will wear the black, teal and gold of Jacksonville.