Their performance against the Miami Dolphins confirms them as favorites to reach Super Bowl LVIII.
The second half of the regular season was a rollercoaster for the Kansas City Chiefs. The reigning NFL champion finished the season with an 11-6 record, but went 5-4 in its final games, raising serious doubts about its chances of repeating the title.
Even a strong finish in which they won three of their last four was not enough to shed a little light on the Chiefs’ fate in the 2024 season. However, analysts see more than a little hope in their 26-7 victory over the Miami Dolphins in the Super Wild Card Round.
It is true that the Dolphins arrived at Arrowhead Stadium with uncertainty surrounding the performance of their quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, in cold weather. The team had also not stood out against opponents with a winning record.
Despite everything, Kansas City’s irregular performance throughout the season opened the possibility for Miami to make a splash in someone else’s yard. After all, quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ best weapon last year, receiver Tyreek Hill, was now on the opposing team.
Don't forget, QB1 can run 🏃♂️💨 pic.twitter.com/Y3oRwx0yLu
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 15, 2024
The awakening of the Chiefs
Many fans and experts alike tended to write off Kansas City’s defense. Although everyone knew that coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s unit had shouldered the team more than once, the vast majority focused only on the loss of production in the passing game led by Mahomes.
Against the Dolphins, the Chiefs’ defense was once again as impenetrable as it had been all season, allowing the opponent only 264 yards and seven points. Defensive tackle Chris Jones and defensive end George Karlaftis were unstoppable in the trenches, and safety L’Jarius Sneed gave Hill a run for his money.
However, at this point in the season, it is difficult for a single unit to carry a team the entire distance. Had it not been for Mahomes and company giving a performance like last year, the result could have been completely different.
In principle, the signal-caller seems to have finally found safe hands in his receiving corps: rookie Rashee Rice finally managed to establish himself as Mahomes’ first target, taking some pressure off tight end Travis Kelce.
Even the ground attack, which is not the Chiefs’ first option, has begun to rely more and more on running back Isaiah Pacheco, who has become another concern for opposing defenses, stretching the field to give space to the aerial attack.
Chiefs Kingdom has the coldest fans… literally 🥶 pic.twitter.com/mwiaDyopyl
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 15, 2024
The future for Kansas City
Josh Allen and his Buffalo Bills, C.J. Stroud and his Houston Texans, or Lamar Jackson and his Baltimore Ravens are the big obstacles for the Chiefs on their way to Super Bowl LVIII.
Head coach Andy Reid has a tough task ahead of him; however, the experience of Mahomes and Kelce, along with the young blood on the team, can take them all the way to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
With Mahomes at quarterback, the Chiefs have won at least two postseason games in three of the last four seasons. They are the defending champions after a game that seemed impossible against the Philadelphia Eagles, and the signs sugges
