Patrick Mahomes revelled in the Kansas City Chiefs' achievement after the NFL Super Bowl champions earned the number one seed in the AFC.

The Chiefs clinched thanks to Sunday's hard-fought 17-14 win over the lowly Atlanta Falcons at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

Chiefs star and quarterback Mahomes was 24-of-44 passing for 278 yards, two touchdowns and an interception as Kansas City made it 10 straight wins to secure the first-round bye in the playoffs.

"It's one of your goals [clinching the AFC] when you go into the season,'' said Mahomes as the Chiefs – boasting a franchise-record 14-1 mark – eye back-to-back Super Bowl crowns.

"If you look at the history of that bye week, usually it's a good thing for teams trying to make a championship run.''

The Chiefs were far from their best as they were forced to dig deep against the 4-11 Falcons, having trailed 7-0 and 14-10.

Kansas City posted their 10th comeback victory of the season, tied for the most comeback wins by any team in a single season in the Super Bowl era, per NFL research.

Mahomes also had his lowest passer rating of the season – 79.5.

"I think it was just a bad day for the offense, starting with me," Mahomes said. "I think the offense will figure it out."

Chiefs star Travis Kelce, meanwhile, caught a touchdown pass as he made NFL history, surpassing George Kittle's single-season receiving yardage record for a tight end.

It was his 11th TD reception for the year, matching the franchise record for the position, set by Tony Gonzalez back in 1999. 

"To get a week of preparation, a week of really locking in and getting the body right that late in the season is so key, and it's much needed if you want to make that playoff push,'' Kelce said.

"That's what you work your tail off for all season. I'm just proud to be a part of this team and be able to do it again this year.''