By JAKE FENNER

Published: 20:42 GMT, 1 January 2025 | Updated: 20:44 GMT, 1 January 2025

With the number one seed in the AFC playoffs fully locked up for the Kansas City Chiefs, the team has made some personnel decisions to ensure the safety of its players.

That includes the move to bench starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes for Kansas City’s final regular season game against the Denver Broncos.

In his place, ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that backup quarterback Carson Wentz will get the start.

While other moves hadn’t been announced, it’s likely that other key Kansas City starters – like pass rusher Chris Jones and tight end Travis Kelce – could also be benched.

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This game doesn’t have any importance for the 15-1 Chiefs – who already secured a bye to the AFC Divisional round taking place the weekend of January 18th.

However, that doesn’t mean that the game isn’t important to the overall AFC playoff picture.

The Kansas City Chiefs will be benching Patrick Mahomes for Sunday’s Week 18 matchup

Carson Wentz will get the start against Denver as KC already clinched the No. 1 seed

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The Broncos (9-7) are clinging to the last playoff spot – the seven-seed – and will likely need a victory in order to seal their participation in the NFL’s postseason.

If they don’t win the game against KC, then their fate is out of their hands and a spot could go to one of two other teams that currently sit at 8-8.

The Cincinnati Bengals play the 10-6 Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night and are in position to make the playoffs if they win and if Denver loses.

But if Cincinnati and Denver both lose, then the door swings open for the Miami Dolphins to claim the final playoff spot if they manage to beat the New York Jets. 

If all three teams lose, then Denver will make it into the postseason on tiebreakers.

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Whoever clinches the seven-seed faces a trip to Orchard Park, New York to take on the Buffalo Bills – who have locked up the two-seed in the AFC playoffs.

As for the NFC, all playoff teams have been confirmed barring the NFC South division – where either the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Atlanta Falcons will make the postseason.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City recorded the first homicide of the new year before 3 a.m.

Just after 2:45 officers were called to the 3100 block of Elmwood on a reported shooting.

When they arrived they located a man suffering gunshot wounds.

Emergency personnel responded and declared him deceased.

Another adult male was also located, and he was transported to an area hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

The preliminary investigation revealed there were several people gathered at a home prior to the shots being fired.

Detectives are trying to determine what led up to the shooting.

The investigation is still ongoing.

KSHB 41 reporter Isabella Ledonne covers issues surrounding government accountability and solutions. Share your story with Isabella.

City Council members in Kansas City, Missouri, passed two ordinances in September to deter illegal street racing and sideshows; Rumble strips at intersections and penalties ranging from $250 to $1,000 and possible jail time.

Spinouts and racing spectacles plagued Kansas City’s Crossroads District through the summer and left businesses, customers and neighbors frustrated and concerned for their safety.

“We were really desperate and begging for some sort of action,” David Johnson said.

Johnson lives near what used to be a notorious intersection before the city installed rumble strips in September.

He said there are fewer side shows and spinout spectacles, but the racing noise still continues.

“It’s gone down a little bit,” Johnson said. “We just don’t see the tire marks, which is the telltale sign that this is happening.”

Rumble strips have been installed at 37 different intersections throughout the metro.

Councilman Crispin Rea said the rumble strips and penalties are a good start, but there’s more work to be done to stop illegal side shows and street racing permanently.

Chase Lucas

“The activity has been diminished, but it’s not completely stopping some of the gathering of folks on four-wheelers, motorcycles, and some of these other disruptive events,” Councilman Rea said.

While neighbors like Johnson are happy their streets are safer, they’ve noticed dangerous drivers flocking to other parts of the city.

“It’s a bit like whack-a-mole trying to chase people,” Johnson said. “The less opportunity you give for people to create havoc in our streets, they’ll go elsewhere.”

Illegal street racing has made its way down to south Kansas City, where a recent crash took the lives of two innocent people.

“It’s one more unfortunate example in a long list of many that we need to continue to make our streets safer,” Councilman Rea said.

Rea said traffic safety is one of the top priorities for the city council in 2025. The city is looking at long-term solutions like road diets and safer street redesign.

“We owe it to our residents to make our streets safer. They deserve safer streets,” he said.

A spokesperson with the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department said there has been a decrease in illegal street racing and side shows since the recent implementations.

“These physical additions to roadway with continued enforcement by patrol and targeted efforts by the traffic unit have made a significant impact in street racing,” KCPD PIO Sgt. Phil DiMartino said. “We will continue these efforts into 2025 and we will continue to encourage our community members to report any illegal sideshows.”