One other yr, one other phenomenal Chiefs group. The ultimate boss of the NFL, Kansas Metropolis is making an attempt to change into the primary group in historical past to three-peat the Tremendous Bowl, and as soon as once more their path goes by means of the Buffalo Payments.
In what’s change into the league’s premier non-conference rivalry, there’s simply one thing particular a couple of Payments vs. Chiefs sport. Two of the most effective quarterbacks within the NFL, a legendary coach in Andy Reid, and two franchises who knew sorrow for thus lengthy — however solely one among them was capable of break by means of and hoist the Lombardi.
The Chiefs are the funniest group left within the playoffs. It’s uncommon {that a} 15-2 group within the common season, with back-to-back Tremendous Bowl wins, and the most effective quarterback in soccer are being disregarded as an underdog, however right here we’re. Maybe they shouldn’t be, and this sport gained’t almost be as shut as we’re left to consider.
No. 1: Teaching
For all of the deserved credit score that Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones get, none of it might be doable with out Andy Reid and Steve Spagnuolo. It’s not simply the expertise they carry to the desk in massive video games like this, however the capacity to fully reinvent their sport plan so as to counter what’s occurring on the sector.
One of many underrated qualities to the Chiefs this season is their capacity to pivot within the second half and discover a new path ahead that snatches wins from the jaws of defeat. Mahomes has a career-high 5 fourth-quarter comeback wins this season to associate with one other career-high seven game-winning drives. It hasn’t been as simple or fairly this season, however no person is best at teaching a group out of a gap that Andy Reid and firm.
It’s for that reason the Chiefs may steal a win. It doesn’t matter what occurs within the first half, as a result of Kansas Metropolis can reinvent themselves at halftime, throw out the sport plan, and are available out with completely totally different takes care of the break. This capacity is pivot shouldn’t be one thing that Sean McDermott and his workers possess almost as effectively, and in the long run gamers may win video games, however coaches win championships.
No. 2: Patrick Mahomes remains to be Patrick Mahomes
Heavy is the crown whenever you’ve turned in as many ludicrous seasons as Mahomes has. We’ve change into so numb to the brilliance of the Chiefs’ QB that something in need of full domination is written off as a failure.
Whereas it’s definitely true this hasn’t been his finest season, and that Kansas Metropolis has surrounded him along with his weakest supporting solid in years, there’s nonetheless one thing that’s simply particular about Mahomes relating to the most important video games.
Each quarterback within the league has a baseline of efficiency, the good ones can discover one other gear when it issues — Mahomes can nonetheless shift into eighth like a System 1 automotive and begin lapping your complete NFL, with barely a second’s discover.
The entire meme about “by no means rely out Landing Tom,” that applies to Patrick Mahomes as effectively — and irrespective of how a lot he’s struggled this season, he’s nonetheless the most effective within the enterprise.
No. 3: The defensive edge
It’s so wild to see the transformation of those two groups through the years that the Chiefs are actually those with the extra terrifying protection. There’s merely no space that Kansas Metropolis is dangerous, or any strong strategy to assault it.
The defensive position, anchored by Chris Jones has change into much more scary with the emergence of George Karlaftis as a cross rusher. The linebacking duo of Nick Bolton and Drue Tranquil make operating on the group much more tough if you happen to may even get previous the road of scrimmage. The secondary is suffering from stellar backs like Trent McDuffie, Justin Reid, and Jaden Hicks — all of whom excel at enjoying the ball within the air.
When you look statistically on the Chiefs on protection it’s clear why groups have struggled towards them.
- twelfth within the NFL in passing TDs allowed
- tenth within the NFL in speeding TDs allowed
- 14th within the NFL in first downs allowed
- 12 within the NFL in common beginning place
None of those numbers are spectacular in isolation, however when mixed the protection is 4th within the NFL in factors allowed. The Chiefs typify “bent, don’t break” and opponents have struggled all season to make explosive performs towards them.
When you take away the house run menace of the Payments this could possibly be a gritty sport, and the Chiefs like to take groups into deep waters like that.