DENVER -- Patrick Mahomes sees the regular-season finale at Denver today as a way for the Kansas City Chiefs to tune up for another long playoff run, no matter when that might begin.
The Chiefs (11-5) lost the pole position in the AFC bracket with their last-second loss at Cincinnati last week. So, they'll have to beat the Broncos (7-9) and the Titans would have to lose to Houston for Kansas City to get the No. 1 seed for the third time in four years.
"I think guys are ready to go. We understand that we can still go out there and do whatever we want to do, it's just going to take us being better and better each and every week," Mahomes said. "We know it's still going to be a tough game this week in the Broncos, playing in Denver. It's always a tough game, so we're just going to focus on trying to win this week, and we'll let the playoffs handle itself."
Although the Chiefs have dominated Denver with 12 consecutive wins over their AFC West foes, Mahomes doesn't put up his usual big numbers against Vic Fangio's defenses.
They beat the Broncos 22-9 a month ago despite Mahomes completing just 15 of 29 passes for 184 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill were held to a combined 49 yards receiving.
It was reminiscent of last season's game in Kansas City when the Chiefs trailed Denver until late in the third quarter and ultimately pulled out a 22-16 nail-biter.
"Yeah I mean we've been successful as far as winning games, but they're always hard-fought battles," Mahomes said. "That defense, I mean they got playmakers everywhere and they run a great scheme, they have a great defensive coordinator, great defensive head coach and they have a good feel for playing against us since we play so much.
"It's always a tough fought battle for us, a great football team, a great defense and playing in Denver is never easy."
The Broncos, suffering through a fifth consecutive losing season and a sixth consecutive season without a playoff berth, won't have star rookie Patrick Surtain II to help contain the Chiefs' high-octane offense. He's out with two strained calves.
Drew Lock will make his third consecutive start in place of Teddy Bridgewater, who suffered a concussion against Cincinnati on Dec. 19. Although he has lost road games to the Raiders and Chargers, he has shown better decision-making and hasn't committed a turnover.
"Drew has found that love for the game again," Bridgewater said Thursday. "I was in the same situation before where it took for me to not be starting for me to find that love and that joy for the game again.
"That's just been the theme of our conversations. He's having fun out there. You love to see it. He's matured in so many ways. He's protecting the ball. So, I'm excited that all of his hard work throughout this year is finally on display and he's finally getting a chance to go out there and compete."
Chiefs linebacker Anthony Hitchens sees the same thing in Lock from afar.
"Yeah, he's grown as a player as most guys do in this league," Hitchens said. "The longer you learn, the better you can play and read stuff, but deep down he's still aggressive and loves the deep ball. So, similar to a year ago or so, but I think he improved just learning the game as a whole."
Chiefs fourth-year running back Darrel Williams, who has taken over as the starter with Clyde Edwards-Helaire out with a shoulder injury, needs just 37 yards from scrimmage to reach 1,000 in a season for the first time. Not bad for an undrafted free agent out of LSU who has played sparingly throughout his career.
"It's never easy having to wait for your turn," Williams said, "and when you finally get your opportunity you have to make the most of it."
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes looks to throw during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Kansas City Chiefs free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) tackles Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Denver Broncos tight end Noah Fant reaches for the pylon but fails to score during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong )