When the Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LVIII, defeating the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime, the three-peat chant was a simultaneous part of the conversation after their signature franchise win. Now that it’s in plain view, what are the Chief’s chances to pull it off?
With their 29-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day, the 24 Million Netflix viewers witnessed a complete takedown of the AFC North franchise. The Kansas City Chiefs told the rest of the league that they are open for business in their attempt to hoist the Super Bowl Trophy three years in a row.
As the AFC’s top seed, the Chiefs must win two January games at Arrowhead to secure their spot in Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. With three weekends off until they play in the divisional round, they can rest their walking wounded and scheme how to defeat their likely opponent, the Houston Texans or Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Chiefs’ out-scheming of the Steelers shows the difference between their players and coaching staff and that of Kansas City. What the Chiefs did to dismantle the Steelers was a blueprint for the postseason.
Kansas City is the best team in football, but they also have the most pressure on them to do something the NFL has never seen: a Three-Peat Super Bowl Champion. Let’s be honest; this is the only narrative you’ll hear until New Orleans.
The Chiefs might not be the favorites if they make it to the big game. Yet, they have more Super Bowl experience than any other team in the postseason tournament. The pundits will discount that because picking against the Chiefs means more eyeballs, clicks, and 15 seconds of fame for their bad takes.
Some will climb on board and admit they were never really off the Chiefs train, but that’s the fiscal aspect of the media these days. You either root against the Chiefs or for them. However, if you are a detractor, you change the tune and accept their greatness.
Head Coach Andy Reid must balance the time off differently. Not playing football for three weeks might not be the best idea. When the Baltimore Ravens won the AFC North in the AFC Divisional round back in 2020, they rested their starters for three weeks before their matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
Despite being at home and owning the AFC’s top seed, the Ravens looked out of sync and overmatched as the Titans maltreated them. That year, Tennessee made it to the AFC Championship game, which was the precursor to the Chiefs’ victory in Super Bowl LIV.
The difference between the Ravens back then and the Kansas City Chiefs is that the former didn’t have the coaching staff or quarterback to overcome a deficit. The Chiefs trailed double digits in their three postseason wins in that Super Bowl run.
Until the Ravens can do something like that, I can’t see how they can compete against the Chiefs in an AFC title game. We saw who they became last year and nothing can convince me Baltimore can out scheme the Chiefs.
Still, that talk is a month away, and the Ravens must win two playoff games to even reach the AFC title game. If they win their wild-card round games, they’ll be forced to play the Buffalo Bills again.
The Chiefs can sit back and wait to see what unfolds. They earned the rest and the top seed because they played better than any other team in the AFC. At 15-1, they’ve already set a franchise record in wins, and that’s a big deal that should be celebrated.
However, the most significant celebration could come in New Orleans, which is the crown jewel of the 2024 season.
