Purple, yellow and white confetti falling at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas was the affirmation of their coronation. As soon as once more, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs skilled the sensation just one workforce achieves in an NFL season, carrying out a frightening goal that results in an exhilarating sensation.
With their 25-22 time beyond regulation victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Tremendous Bowl LVIII, the Chiefs turned the NFL’s first repeat champion in twenty years. The win cemented a golden period for the franchise and its standing as one of many true dynasties within the league’s 104-year historical past.
“It’s the beginning of 1,” Patrick Mahomes insisted. “We’re not completed.”
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To safe their third Lombardi Trophy in 5 years, the Chiefs needed to overcome the worst common season within the Andy Reid-Patrick Mahomes period in addition to essentially the most treacherous postseason path.
The Chiefs, the AFC’s No. 3 seed, dominated the Miami Dolphins in freezing situations, a recreation wherein Reid coached with icicles hanging off his mustache. Then, within the first street playoff recreation of Mahomes’ seven-year profession, the Chiefs rallied within the second half for a 27-24 victory, their protection holding the Buffalo Payments scoreless within the fourth quarter. They reached the Tremendous Bowl with one other street victory, a 17-10 win over league MVP Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens, who entered the postseason with the NFL’s finest report.
Mahomes led the profitable 75-yard drive in time beyond regulation in opposition to the 49ers, capping it with a 3-yard landing go to Mecole Hardman. The Chiefs rallied from a 10-0 deficit and bought the rating they wanted on the ultimate drive of the sport.
Chiefs extensive receiver Mecole Hardman and quarterback Patrick Mahomes have fun the Tremendous Bowl-winning landing in time beyond regulation. (Stephen R. Sylvanie / USA At the moment)
Mahomes gained his third Tremendous Bowl MVP award, however make no mistake, protection was the spine of the 2023 Chiefs.
“That is the very best protection I’ve ever performed with,” tight finish Travis Kelce stated halfway by way of the season. “Truthfully, they’ve been saving us in quite a lot of conditions.”
No opponent scored 30 factors on coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s unit, which allowed the fewest second-half factors within the league. Defensive deal with Chris Jones and defensive finish George Karlaftis led the workforce with 10 1/2 sacks. Spagnuolo’s protection benefited from career-best seasons from a number of gamers, together with cornerbacks L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie, security Justin Reid and defensive finish Charles Omenihu.
“Seeing this protection all yr lengthy, I’ve realized that typically I’ve bought to allow them to play, allow them to be the present,” Mahomes stated.
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Mahomes, the league’s most proficient quarterback, demonstrated his management, creativity and acumen all season however performed his finest when the Chiefs wanted it in January and February.
“It’s exhausting to explain somebody that good,” basic supervisor Brett Veach stated. “He’s a legend. He’s a blessing.”
Kelce, an 11-year veteran, additionally had his finest moments within the postseason as he overcame lingering accidents to his knee and ankle to go Corridor of Fame receiver Jerry Rice for essentially the most postseason receptions in NFL historical past.
“We bought the very best quarterback on the planet,” Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill stated. “We bought the very best tight finish on the planet. We bought the very best coach on the planet. We bought the very best defensive coordinator on the planet. We bought the very best basic supervisor on the planet.
“When you will have all of that? It’s solely a matter of time.”
But it surely took time for the defending champions to place all of it collectively this time. The Chiefs stumbled to start out the season, dropping to the Detroit Lions within the league’s opening night time recreation. All-Professionals Kelce and Jones didn’t play — Kelce due to a knee harm and Jones as a result of he was holding out. However the Chiefs misplaced due to eight dropped passes, the 2 most egregious by extensive receiver Kadarius Toney. Dropped passes could be a recurring downside by way of the common season as Kansas Metropolis led the NFL with 44.
Mahomes and firm gained their subsequent six video games and went into their bye week with a 7-2 report after shutting down the high-powered Dolphins offense in Frankfurt, Germany. However they misplaced 4 of their subsequent six because the errors piled up. The low level got here on Christmas Day at Arrowhead Stadium with an unpleasant 20-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Veach is satisfied that with out that Christmas Day humbling, there’s no approach the Chiefs would have made it to the Tremendous Bowl.
“One thing was off,” Veach stated. “That loss, I feel it actually hit us. It allowed the entire group to have a look within the mirror.”
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That self-evaluation on the cusp of the playoffs resulted in Reid condensing the playbook and simplifying the sport plan.
Working again Isiah Pacheco ran the ball with dedication, rookie Rashee Rice blossomed right into a No. 1 extensive receiver and the offensive line jelled on the proper time. The errors that hamstrung the offense throughout the common season disappeared. And the Chiefs didn’t lose once more.
“We would not be the prettiest, however we’re going to battle,” Reid stated. “That’s the persona of this workforce.”
A workforce that when hung its hat on high-powered offense and Mahomes’ improvisational passing, wanted to vary its persona this season. From day considered one of coaching camp on July 18 till the tip of time beyond regulation within the Tremendous Bowl on Feb. 11, the Chiefs maintained their standing because the league’s finest by incomes a second consecutive championship not with flash however by way of gritty perseverance.
This essay is the introduction to “Simple: The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ Outstanding 2023 Championship Season” The Athletic’s commemorative e-book concerning the Chiefs’ 2023-24 season. Order a copy right now for $16.95, plus delivery and tax. Books will ship the week of Feb. 19.
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(Picture of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce: Patrick T. Fallon / AFP through Getty Photographs)
