Kansas City Chiefs kick their way to 8th straight AFC West crown; here are our grades

The Chiefs scored the final 18 points of Sunday’s game — all courtesy of placekicker Harrison Butker — and defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 25-17 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead.

The outcome clinched an eighth consecutive AFC West title for the Chiefs. They’ll open the playoffs in the NFL’s Wild Card Round on the weekend of Jan. 13-14.

But first, they’ll play at the L.A. Chargers in next weekend’s regular-season finale.

Let’s get to the grades and star(s) of the game:

KC STARS OF THE GAME

In two games against the Bengals last season, including the playoffs, Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco accounted for 167 combined yards.

Pacheco rushed for 130 yards Sunday, the fourth 100-yard game of his career, and finished with a 7.2-yards-per-carry average. He also caught five passes for 36 yards, including a touchdown toss from Patrick Mahomes.

Pacheco shares this week’s star of the game honors with Butker, who set a personal record by hitting six field goals in six tries. Butker provided all of the Chiefs’ scoring after Pacheco’s touchdown, with no field goal more impressive than his first: a 54-yarder into the wind.

Next: The Chiefs conclude their regular season at the Chargers. The game will be played either Saturday or Sunday, based on the results of the rest of the league’s Week 17 games.

REPORT CARD

Passing offense: B

Something we haven’t seen in a while: Patrick Mahomes going deep on multiple occasions. He completed deep balls to Rashee Rice (67 yards) and Justin Watson (41 yards). His 109.1 passer rating was the first time Mahomes topped 100 in more than a month.

A strip-sack of Mahomes led to a second-quarter Cincinnati touchdown — the Chiefs can’t shake their nasty giveaway habit. They’ve committed a turnover in all but two games this season and entered the week tied for next to last in the NFL in turnover margin at -10.

Another familiar moment: Marquez Valdes-Scantling dropped what would have been a reception for a first down to keep alive KC’s final first-half possession. Boos ensued. According to CBS, the drop was the Chiefs’ 40th this season, tops in the NFL.

Rushing offense: B

The Chiefs’ run-blocking was excellent, and Pacheco took full advantage. It also helped that the Bengals were without tackle D.J. Reader, lost with a season-ending injury in Week 15.

After rushing for 53 yards last week, Mahomes didn’t scramble until nine minutes remained in the game. Then he ran on consecutive plays, picking up a first down on fourth-and-1..

The Chiefs would liked to have taken more time off the clock in the fourth quarter with hard running by Pacheco, but they wound up setting for field goals.

Passing defense: B

Chiefs safety Justin Reid had a pair of sacks and George Karlaftis and Chris Jones registered a sack apiece, giving the Chiefs four sacks in five snaps on the Bengals’ final possession. They finished with six sacks overall.

Two key players were listed as questionable for this game, but Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed both played and were a featured attraction. Chase hauled in a 24-yarder over Sneed early. Then Sneed broke up a pass intended for Chase.

Sneed was called for a pass-interference in the end zone while guarding Chase. The pair jawed and pushed one another throughout the game.

KC corner Joshua Williams picked up a pass-interference flag in the third quarter while guarding Tee Higgins. The play made the Bengals eight of 10 on third-down conversions.

The Chiefs’ defense came alive in the second half, getting plenty of pressure on Browning and holding the Bengals scoreless..

Rushing defense: C

Joe Mixon was solid with 65 yards, but Browning’s scrambles did plenty of damage, especially in the first half (when he picked up three first downs with his legs). Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton spied him effectively on certain downs in the second half.

Special teams: A

A “wow” game for Butker, who made his case for All-Pro honors. He was perfect from field-goal attempts of 54, 43, 27, 24, 48 and 46 yards. He had made five in a game four times.

The six he hit Sunday marks a personal record.

As for returns ... what was Richie James thinking in fielding a punt one yard deep in the end zone and returning it for 10 yards? In the fourth quarter, he returned a punt 27 yards.