When Patrick Mahomes shook hands with C.J. Stroud at midfield at the conclusion of their Dec. 21 game, cameras caught Mahomes telling Stroud that they'd see them in the playoffs. Those words have become customary for players and coaches acknowledging respect for one another.

The Kansas City Chiefs are the top seed in the AFC and earned the first-round bye. The Chiefs were able to have two weeks of rest, as they sat their starters in Week 18 and had the Wild Card round off.