I really can’t believe the Kansas City Chiefs’ fortunes. They won another last-second game, their 15th consecutive one-possession victory, ironically matching the number of their fantastic quarterbacks. In defeating the Los Angeles Chargers, the Chiefs did what they do, and we should forget style points and just enjoy the journey.
I’m honestly done trying to defend how the Kansa City Chiefs win football games. During the game, I’m an avid fan, throwing my hands up, cursing at the TV, and generally feeling doubt they can win another close game.
Yet, in the end, that’s what happens. They find a way to win, and NO team in the NFL closes out games better than the Kansas City Chiefs.
For all practical purposes, the Chargers had the Chiefs on the ropes with four minutes to go in the game. Yet, they let off the gas. A bad kick-off gave Mahomes excellent field position at his 40-yard line. After converting a pair of collapsing pocket passes to Xavier Worthy on third and ten and Travis Kelce on their final possession, facing a third and seven, Matthew Wright called his bank shot. Kansas City won again 19-17.
They are now AFC West Champions for the ninth straight season, and they did it their way, and it was a struggle all game long for the offense. Yet, with the game on the line, Mahomes told Head Coach Andy Reid, “I’ll make something happen.”
The fact that Mahomes has been doing that for seven seasons is genuinely something, but I’m not sure that Chiefs fans understand the degree of difficulty he plays with each game. Entire franchises are built to stop Mahomes, yet they’ve won three of the last six Super Bowls and are on the verge of a Three-Peat.
We take him for granted because he’s not lighting up the scoreboard. That’s not his fault because the Chiefs’ pass protection from all five men up front has been poor most of the season. Yes, the tackles take the blame, but the interior wall has not built a better pocket for Mahomes to operate his magic.
So, he must improvise, and he still has a 12-1 record this season, which is two games better than any challenger in the AFC. How good is Mahomes? Josh Allen scored 42 points against the Rams, had six total touchdowns, and lost. The Chiefs put up 19 points against the Chargers and won.
We’ve been spoiled with statistics surrounding Mahomes, and fans want easier wins and some relief heading into Christmas. But that’s fool’s gold. This is NOT that team, nor will it be any time this season or in the postseason.
The prime goal right now is to win the top seed and get an extra week of rest. If the chips fall correctly, the AFC could be locked up before their Christmas Day game against the Steelers in Pittsburgh.
If the Chiefs defeat the Cleveland Browns on the road and the Houston Texans at home the following Saturday, the Detroit Lions beat the Buffalo Bills, and the Baltimore Ravens lose to the Philadelphia Eagles next weekend, the Chiefs clinch the top seed with two games left in the regular season.
That’s the only statistic that matters, and seeding could determine the Chiefs’ chances of winning the AFC. Because I don’t think this team can win three games in the playoffs and advance to New Orleans.
Yes, I’m casting doubt, but that’s to be expected. Then again, if I let myself free of that conflict, I can’t see any way the Chiefs don’t three-peat by winning three consecutive one-score games.
