NFL playoff bracket 2023: How does Chiefs' win vs. Raiders in Week 18 affect AFC seeding?

In the first game of the NFL's Week 18 schedule, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs took care of business against the Las Vegas Raiders. They won 31-13. With this win, the Chiefs clinched the #1 seed in the AFC and the first-round bye in the playoffs.

NFL Research

@NFLResearch

The @Chiefs have clinched the AFC’s #1 seed for the fifth time since the @nfl began seeding playoff teams in 1975.

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The @Chiefs have clinched the AFC’s #1 seed for the fifth time since the @nfl began seeding playoff teams in 1975.

But how will their win affect the rest of the AFC's playoff picture? Here's a brief look.

AFC Playoff Picture Week 18: Chiefs clinch bye, Bills, and Bengals to fight for second place on Sunday

With the Chiefs clinching the top seed, attention will turn towards the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals. They will be in action against the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens, respectively, on Sunday.

The Bills are 12-3, and the Bengals are 11-4. If both teams win on Sunday, Buffalo will clinch the second seed in the AFC standings, while Cincinnati will have to be content with third. If the Bengals win and the Bills lose, both teams will finish with a 12-4 record, but Cincinnati will be the second seed with the tiebreaker.

Ian Rapoport

@RapSheet

The NFL’s full release on everything related to the #Bills-#Bengals game and all that could happen

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The NFL’s full release on everything related to the #Bills-#Bengals game and all that could happen https://t.co/EVk8KBnjol

Both teams will be gunning for a win on Sunday. If the Bills and Bengals win in the Wild Card round, they will face off in the Divisional round of the playoffs. The venue for the game will be decided by their seeding.

Victory for both teams will also ensure that if they reach the AFC Championship game, they will either host it or play against the Chiefs at a neutral venue. However, if the Bills or Bengals fail to win on Sunday but make it to the AFC Championship game, they will have to travel to Arrowhead Stadium if the Chiefs win their Divisional round game.

The Bills and Bengals will be the #2 and #3 seeds irrespective of the results of the games on Sunday. However, the order and the site of the AFC Championship game will be decided based on the results of their Week 18 matches.

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