In an unusual scheduling twist, four AFC playoff contenders—the Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans, and Pittsburgh Steelers—are set to play three games in just 11 days, a feat only accomplished once since 1933 by the 2011 Jacksonville Jaguars. This grueling stretch, which has never occurred from 2019 to 2023, comes at a critical time when teams are already feeling the physical toll of the season. The Steelers face the toughest opponents, all with winning records, while the Texans benefit from two home games. Teams are adapting by reducing full-speed practices, focusing on recovery, and emphasizing mental preparation. Steelers’ Mike Williams, who has played 18 games this season due to an in-season trade, exemplifies the endurance required. The Ravens, with a bye week advantage, are historically successful on short weeks, boasting an 11-5 record on Thursday games under coach John Harbaugh. Meanwhile, Chiefs players like Chris Jones are advocating for later bye weeks in future seasons to mitigate such demanding schedules.
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