Why Chiefs should shut Patrick Mahomes down for rest of regular season

If it wants to hoist a third consecutive Lombardi Trophy in February, Kansas City needs to rest Mahomes.

The Chiefs (13-1) are competing with the Bills (11-3) for home-field advantage in the AFC, and their final three opponents (Texas, Steelers, Broncos) are a combined 28-14. 

While Kansas City's chances of winning its next few games will decrease with Carson Wentz at quarterback, a healthy Patrick Mahomes is more important than the No. 1 seed.

Mahomes proved he could win on the road in the playoffs last season after hosting the AFC championship game from 2018-22.

Kansas City defeated the Bills and Ravens away from Arrowhead before winning its third Super Bowl in five seasons.

If the Chiefs were operating on a normal schedule, they might not be forced to consider the drastic action of benching Mahomes for the rest of the season.

But the NFL gave Kansas City a brutal compact December schedule with three games in an 11-day span.

After playing the Texans on Saturday in Week 16, the Chiefs have a quick turnaround for Week 17 as they play the Steelers on the road next Wednesday on Christmas Day. 

It doesn't make much sense for Kansas City to risk its long-term outlook for small regular-season rewards.

The Chiefs can survive over the next three weeks without Mahomes, but their chance of winning a Super Bowl will crater if he suffers an injury setback.

Benching Mahomes would be a drastic measure. It's also a no-brainer.