When Andy Reid decided to rest his key players like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce against the Broncos, a lot of eyebrows were raised. Since the red team’s playoff game in the divisional round won’t be until Jan. 18 or 19, they could get a gap of 23-24 days. However, the Chiefs-Broncos would impact other teams too. For instance, the latter needed a win to qualify for the playoffs, and with the Chiefs’ best players resting, it was almost guaranteed that Sean Payton’s side would taste victory. However, if the Bengals wanted to make it to the playoffs, they would have to defeat the Steelers (which they did) and also needed the Broncos and Dolphins to lose their respective games. BUT!

Chiefs versus Broncos left fans shocked! The AFC No. 1 team lost 0-38. The lopsided game was so bad that CBS pulled the game from their national broadcast. This led to many fans questioning Andy Reid’s decision to bench Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and other starters. They wondered if Reid was involved in foul play.

Andy Reid is now being accused of manipulating the playoff picture since a win for the Chiefs could have meant a potential matchup with Joe Burrow’s Cincinnati Bengals. On the other hand, the victory handed Denver their first playoff berth since 2015, which would end the NFL’s second-longest active post-season drought. All the praise to rookie QB Bo Nix for his spectacular performance.

He completed 26-of-29 passes for 321 yards. To make things even better, he also scored four touchdowns. Nix has now set a franchise record with 18 consecutive completions. In contrast, the Chiefs’ starter for the game flunked big time. Carson Wentz, who made his first start of the season for the Chiefs after briefly playing as a backup in two games, managed just 98 passing yards and suffered four sacks. Kansas City’s offense was woefully ineffective without its stars. They mustered only 98 net yards. This is in stark contrast to Denver’s 479.

For the Chiefs, this was their first shutout since Dec. 16, 2012, at Oakland, which also means it was their first since Reid became head coach in 2013.

Reid’s decision to rest his starters didn’t just impact the Chiefs. The loss eliminated the Bengals from playoff contention. And this ripple effect paired with the abysmal performance has sparked outrage on social media. Former quarterback Robert Griffin III tweeted, “Chiefs did everything they could to make sure the Bengals didn’t make the Playoffs. MY GAWD.”

Fans have now started accusing Kansas City of fearing the Cincinnati Bengals. They pointed to Kansas City’s recent history with Cincinnati, citing close games and intense playoff battles such as the postseason defeat to Joe Burrow‘s Bengals in the 2021 season.

Social media erupts over Andy Reid’s strategy!

Many fans were furious. They were labeling Reid’s strategy as cowardly. One fan tweeted:

• “Andy Reid needs fined or fired immediately! What we witnessed in this game is illegal in sports. Taking a dive and trying to manipulate the entire playoff scenario in their favor. KC is disgusting.”

Were the Chiefs really trying to avoid the Bengals? Here’s the thing: The Cincinnati Bengals have defeated the red team in the past. However, they have had a penetrable defense this year, ranking 29th in the league in defensive DVOA. This brings up a question: Would a team like the Chiefs shiver at such a sight? Let us not forget that they defeated the Bengals in Week 2, though it was a close game, 26-25.

Despite Kansas City’s dominant 15-2 season, critics didn’t hold back. Fans wrote:

• “Andy Reid and Patrick over there laughing while they getting spa-ked 38-0 because if they lose they get Joey B and Jamar Chase out of the playoffs. It’s nasty work. I hate the Chiefs.”
• “Andy Reid needs fined or fired immediately! What we witnessed in this game is illegal in sports. Taking a dive and trying to manipulate the entire playoff scenario in their favor. KC is disgusting.”

However, Reid’s fans argued the Chiefs had little to gain from the game since they had already secured the AFC’s No. 1 seed. In fact, some Chiefs supporters gave a reality check to the other teams. Journalist Trey Wingo wrote on X:

• “For anyone out there complaining about the @Bengals not making the playoffs because the @Chiefs aren’t playing anyone in week 18 tell Cincinnati September matters too: 
  *2024 0-3 then 1-5
  *2023 0-2 then 1-3
  *2022 0-2 then 2-3
  All the games count the same amount. Start better.”

The Chiefs’ loss didn’t just affect the Bengals. It also eliminated the Dolphins.

Meanwhile, Denver celebrated their long-awaited return to the playoffs. Nix’s breakout season and the Broncos’ dominant performance made a clear statement. For Kansas City, the loss could have unintended consequences. Their readiness for the divisional round is now in question, with Mahomes and other starters inactive for weeks. Rust, rather than rest, might become their biggest opponent.

• “I realize the Chiefs weren’t exactly playing all out but I have to say I thought Bo Nix looked very impressive for a rookie QB. Gave me flashbacks to a young Josh. #BillsMafia.”

This strategic decision taken for the Chiefs may haunt Reid. While the Chiefs avoided the Bengals, NFL fans will surely have their eyes on the team. What do you think?