Another year, another phenomenal Chiefs team. Kansas City, the NFL's last boss, is trying to become the first team in history to triple-peat the Super Bowl, and once again their path will pass through the Buffalo Bills.
There's something special about the Bills vs. Chiefs game in what has become the league's premier non-conference rivalry. Two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, a legendary coach in Andy Reid, and two franchises that have known grief for a long time, only one of them rolled past Lombardi.
The Chiefs are the most entertaining team left in the playoffs. It's rare for a 15-2 team in the regular season with back-to-back Super Bowl wins and the best quarterback in football to be dismissed as an underdog, but here we are. Perhaps they shouldn't, and this game will never be as close as we are left to believe.
No. 1: Coaching
For all the well-deserved credit that Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones get, it wouldn't be possible without Andy Reid and Steve Spagnuolo. It's not just the experience they bring to the table in big games like this, but their ability to completely reinvent their game plan to counter what's going on on the field.
One of the underrated qualities for the Chiefs this season is their ability to pivot in the second half and find new avenues to win from the jaws of defeat. Mahomes is coming off a career-high four-quarter comeback win this season, along with a career-high seven game-winning drives. This season hasn't been all that easy or pretty, but Andy Reid and company have never been better at coaching a team from the halls.
Because of this, the Chiefs were able to steal the victory. It doesn't matter what happens in the first half, because Kansas City can reinvent itself at halftime, throw away the game plan and come out with a completely different look after the break. This ability is not something Sean McDermott and his staff possess nearly as much, and while the pivot may ultimately win games, coaches win championships.
No. 2: Patrick Mahomes is still Patrick Mahomes
Heavy is the crown when it comes to as many ludicrous seasons as Mahomes. We've become so numb to the Chiefs QB's brilliance that anything short of complete domination is written off as a failure.
Sure this wasn't his best season, but Kansas City surrounds him with his weakest supporting cast, but there's still just special When it comes to the biggest game, it's about Mahomes.
Every quarterback in the league has a baseline of performance, and the great ones can find another gear when it counts. Mahomes can still shift into 8th place like a Formula 1 car and start lapping the entire NFL in an instant, barely.
The whole meme about “Never Aut Out Out Touchdown Tom” that also applies to Patrick Mahomes, no matter how much he's struggled this season, he's still the best in the business.
No. 3: Defensive Edge
It's been so wild to see the transformation of these two teams over the years, and the Chiefs are now the ones with the more formidable defense. There is no area where Kansas City is bad or a solid way to attack it.
The defensive line anchored by Chris Jones became even scarier with the emergence of George Kalaftis as a pass rusher. The linebacking duo of Nick Bolton and Dray Torrance Make is running with the team as long as they can get over the line of scrimmage. The secondary is littered with great backs like Trent McDuffie, Justin Reid, and Jaden Hicks.
When you look at the Chiefs defense statistically, it's clear why the team has struggled against them.
- 12th in NFL in passing TDS allowed
- 10th in NFL in Rushing TDS allowed
- 14th in NFL in first downs allowed
- Average starting position in NFL: 12
None of these numbers are impressive on their own, but when combined, the defense is fourth in the NFL in points allowed. The Chiefs are in line for “bend, don't break,” and opponents have struggled all season to make explosive plays against them.
This could be a gritty game if you take away the home run threat on the bill, and the Chiefs love taking teams into deep waters like that.
