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The Chiefs are locked into the fifth seed in the AFC regardless of what happens for them next weekend, so they may not expose some of their starters to the risk of injury when they travel to San Diego.

Andy Reid said Monday, via Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star, that he is still making up his mind about how to approach the game with the Chargers. Reid noted that he’d had success after resting players for the postseason in the past, so players like Jamaal Charles and Alex Smith may be getting plenty of rest before Kansas City plays in the Wild Card round.

The biggest argument to make for playing the starters for at least some of Week 17 might be the way the Chiefs looked against the Colts on Sunday. It was a listless performance across the board and Reid could opt for ending the regular season on a better note next week.

Reid’s decision could impact more than just the Chiefs. The Chargers are one of the four teams still alive in the race for the sixth playoff spot in the AFC and a win would seem to be more likely when facing second-stringers for the Chiefs.