Chiefs Coach Todd Haley On Playing To Win Against Raiders In Week 17

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Todd Haley spoke to reporters on Monday afternoon and sounded a lot like Matt Cassel earlier that day when asked about how the Chiefs, who have clinched the division, would handle Week 17 against the Oakland Raiders.

"We're going to do what we think gives us the best chance to win."

He could have secretly qualified that like, "We're going to do what we think gives us the best chance to win in the playoffs" but it sounds like the Chiefs will be going full boat ahead against the Raiders next week.

"I think maybe some teams can look at games differently but I know our group right now, with where we are and our development, we need to approach them the same way which is to get ready to win and put everything into trying to figure out how to get to three wins in this quarter, which would be a great accomplishment taking into consideration how the quarter started."

Some teams that can look at differently are the Colts who (in)famously sat players last year. The difference is that the Colts had their playoff position wrapped up. The Chiefs still have something to play for. While I can see the argument from both sides on handling Week 17, I would worry about a loss of momentum if they didn't beat the Raiders.

"There's all different things that are motivation but the number one thing for us, as our team and what we're trying to get done, is to finish this quarter strongly at home."

Haley said on Sunday night he wasn't sure at that point how the Chiefs would handle Week 17 with the playoffs clinched but suggested they would likely be playing to win.

The question becomes now -- will the Chiefs enter the fifth quarter of the season after next week?