The Kansas City Chiefs have one more game to play this season. The team is currently in Las Vegas, where they will face their long-time AFC West rival, the Raiders, in what is set to be the final match of the regular season. This development is unexpected, as many did not anticipate the Chiefs finding themselves in this situation this year.

Despite having a high-profile head coach in Andy Reid and a star quarterback in Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs are not heading to the playoffs. After the regular season concludes, they will return home with a sense of unfinished business. This outcome is surprising given the team’s history of success in recent years, and it could serve as a strong motivator for next season. The organization may look back on this moment as something necessary for future growth.

With the regular season now over, the focus shifts to the offseason, which promises to be both crucial and intriguing for the Chiefs. However, before any decisions are made, there is one key game that remains on the schedule.

Chiefs in Vegas Looms Large

“In less than four months, the Chiefs will make their most important NFL Draft pick since the 2017 first round — you know, when they selected a quarterback from Texas Tech,” said Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star.

“They have not picked in the top 20 since trading up to acquire Patrick Mahomes that year. That will change in April. They’re guaranteed to break that streak this year, and there’s still a path to having an even better selection than the one that landed them Mahomes. Here’s what could help them most: Losing. The Chiefs will fall somewhere between the eighth and 12th overall picks in the 2026 NFL Draft next spring.”

“Given that, heck, this Sunday is one of the most meaningful games for their long-term future that they’ve had all season. And that’s especially true when you consider the Chiefs are unlikely to have this opportunity again in the near future.”

A major factor to watch in this game is how both teams approach it. For the Chiefs, the question is whether they aim to improve their draft position. On the other hand, the Raiders could be looking to secure the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Chiefs might have a strategy in place to prevent their rival from achieving that goal.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com/nfl/chiefs/onsi as The Importance of Week 18 for Chiefs .