The Kansas City Chiefs have become synonymous with star power. Patrick Mahomes is a global brand unto himself.
Travis Kelce, thanks to his play on the field and his presence off of it, has turned into one of the most recognizable names in sports. And the franchise as a whole?
It’s been a pillar of the NFL’s modern era - a team that’s not just good, but headline-worthy every time it takes the field.
But if this postseason has shown us anything, it’s that the NFL doesn’t need the Chiefs to dominate the ratings. The product - the game itself - is still king.
Case in point: last weekend’s divisional-round clash between the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos. It had all the ingredients of a classic - a raucous Mile High crowd, two teams with something to prove, and a game that went down to the wire.
And when Will Lutz drilled the game-winner in overtime, it wasn’t just a win for Denver. It was a win for the league.
According to CBS, the broadcast averaged a staggering 39.6 million viewers. And when the game hit overtime?
That number jumped to over 51 million. That’s not just big - that’s historic.
It became the most-watched Saturday NFL playoff game ever.
Let’s put that into perspective. The previous record-holder?
That would be last year’s divisional-round matchup between the Chiefs and Texans. Kansas City won that one 23-14, with George Karlaftis racking up three sacks and Travis Kelce doing what he does best - hauling in seven passes for 117 yards and a touchdown.
That game was peak Chiefs: dominant defense, star-studded offense, and a fanbase that tunes in no matter the stakes.
So no, the Chiefs haven’t lost their draw. Far from it.
Even after a down year - just six wins on the board - you can bet they’ll be featured in primetime plenty in 2026. The networks know what they have in Kansas City: a team that moves the needle.
Just look at this past Thanksgiving, when the Chiefs faced off against the Cowboys. Despite both teams dealing with their share of flaws, the game pulled in 57.2 million viewers - the most ever for a Thanksgiving game.
But what this postseason is proving is that drama and competition are just as powerful. When the stakes are high and the game is tight, fans show up - in record numbers. The league isn’t reliant on just one team, no matter how big their brand may be.
Looking ahead, the next big number to watch is the AFC Championship Game. Last year’s matchup between Buffalo and Kansas City drew 57.4 million viewers - another record.
Whether that mark falls this year could depend on a few factors, including the health of key players like Bo Nix. If the game turns into a blowout, maybe the record stands.
But if it’s close? Don’t be surprised if we see another viewership milestone.
At the end of the day, the NFL has built a product that thrives on competition. The Chiefs are still a massive part of that story - and likely will be for years to come. But this postseason is a reminder that the game itself, when played at its highest level, is more than enough to captivate millions.