The Kansas City Chiefs secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs by resting their starters, leading to a surprising 38-0 loss against the Denver Broncos, who clinched a playoff spot with the win. Speculation arose that the Chiefs intentionally lost to avoid facing the Cincinnati Bengals, heightened by Bengals coach Zac Taylor's comments suggesting that the Chiefs wouldn't want to face them in the playoffs.

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce dismissed these theories on his podcast, asserting his eagerness to compete against any team, including the Bengals. He emphasized his respect for the Bengals and confirmed the Chiefs' commitment to playing their best every game, denying any intention to tank against Denver.