KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Andy Reid mentioned the Kansas City Chiefs would maintain key gamers, together with quarterback Patrick Mahomes, out of Sunday’s last common season sport on the Denver Broncos and that the choice wasn’t a tough one.
Reid’s resolution means Mahomes and the others who will not play towards the Broncos can have a break of greater than three weeks between sport motion. The 15-1 Chiefs have clinched the AFC’s high playoff seed and a first-round postseason bye.
Carson Wentz will make his first begin of the season at quarterback towards the Broncos.
“I’ve been by way of that earlier than, so I’m not too fearful about all that,” Reid mentioned. “It provides the opposite guys a possibility right here to develop and you should utilize everyone.
“The major factor is to be sure that we keep sharp in all areas by way of this sport and for the upcoming weeks … We wish to keep sharp mentally and bodily after which that is our accountability to try this and the way we handle the time. I be sure I do this practice-wise and the fellows exit, gamers and coaches, and work on that.”
While Sunday’s sport means nothing for Kansas City, it’s pivotal for Denver. The Broncos would clinch a playoff berth because the No. 7 seed by beating the Chiefs, incomes a visit to Buffalo for his or her postseason opener. If they lose, they would want the New York Jets to beat the Miami Dolphins on Sunday and the Pittsburgh Steelers to beat the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday night time.
Reid wasn’t particular about which gamers would not play in Denver aside from to say Mahomes could be considered one of them. The Chiefs had an analogous state of affairs final season for his or her last common season sport towards the Los Angeles Chargers and Mahomes, tight finish Travis Kelce, operating again Isiah Pacheco, security Justin Reid, defensive finish George Karlaftis, cornerback Trent McDuffie and linebacker Nick Bolton have been amongst those that did not play.
Wentz has performed sparingly in two video games as a backup. He is 2-of-2 for 20 yards passing.
“I’m going to organize to go on the market and win after which have a great efficiency with this offense,” mentioned Wentz, who began one sport for the Rams final season after seven seasons as a starter with the Eagles, Colts and Washington.
“I bought one shot final yr and so for me it is simply not taking these probabilities without any consideration and having enjoyable with it [and] slicing it free.”
Wentz mentioned getting ready as a backup for a full season was a distinct expertise for him. But he mentioned he is at all times felt prepared if the Chiefs wanted him and that taking part in towards the Broncos could be invaluable for him if he has to play within the postseason.
“I believe it could be large simply getting reps,” Wentz mentioned. “Obviously preseason is useful, however that was even restricted and looks as if one other lifetime in the past already. This will certainly be useful if wanted in no matter capability down the stretch there within the playoffs. But fairly frankly, I’m simply excited to get on the market and play ball.”
Wentz signed a one-year contract with the Chiefs. He would not speculate on his future or what a great exhibiting towards the Broncos may do for him.
“I’m assured in myself,” he mentioned. “I’m assured in my skills and what I’ve completed previously is previously, good, dangerous, detached. I’m so assured I can play and play at a excessive stage and so I’m trying ahead to hopefully doing that this weekend and having enjoyable whereas I’m at it.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
