The Kansas City Chiefs improved to 8-0 Monday Night with a thrilling 30-24 overtime win against the Tampa Bay Bucs. The game featured big plays, drama, and a coin flip. Regardless of the time on the clock, Mahomes in the blue tent, or the Bucs’ late comeback, the Chiefs were prepared for every scenario they faced.
We can no longer make excuses on how the Kansas City Chiefs win football games. They are a perfect 8-0 and have a legitimate shot to run the table in the regular season. Last night was the perfect example of why this team is prepared to face any scenario.
The Chiefs had the ball and needed one first down to close the game. Instead, they ran two plays for negative yards, and on third down, they didn’t execute a screen pass that might have gotten them a first down. Instead, they punted the ball back to Tampa.
Taking advantage of the Chief’s soft coverage and relying on cornerbacks Christian Roland-Wallace and the struggling Joshua Williams, they gave up big plays in the Bucs game-tying drive. Still, the Bucs didn’t go for two, and the Chiefs, with the ball in their hands, were not giving it back to Tampa once overtime started.
Patrick Mahomes was brilliant, but he also stopped the hearts of every Chiefs fan in the country. When he fell to the turf after throwing a touchdown to Samaje Perine, you could hear a pin drop inside Arrowhead.
When he had to be assisted off the field, the worst fears of Chiefs fans nearly wept at the thought of losing Mahomes. However, as he got near the sidelines, he walked under his own power and jettisoned his escorts.
The Chiefs defense forced a three-and-out, so Mahomes had little time to recover the ankle he sprained last weekend against the Raiders. So, what did he do? He jogged down the sidelines, and with the game tied at 17, the crowd roared his return. He threw his second touchdown to DeAndre Hopkins, further elevating his legacy.
Listen, it was just not Mahomes. Travis Kelce had over 100 yards receiving. Kareem Hunt had over 100 yards running the ball. The offensive line was solid playing smash-mouth football, and DeAndre Hopkins was electric in his Arrowhead debut.
The defense struggled to rattle Baker Mayfield, and they gave him too much cushion on the final drive, but that’s the price you pay when you rely on young defenders. Still, they won the game, and as their reward, they watched Mahomes drive down the field, securing the overtime win.
Most people were shaking their heads this morning when they learned Hopkins had moved from Tennessee to Kansas City. After the game, he said this would happen and trusted his faith. He’s been nothing short of sensational his entire career, and anyone who believes he’s lost his Hall of Fame prowess should watch the game film.
What’s most impressive about the Chiefs 8-0. They’ve played some of the best teams in the NFL and taken their best shots. Yes, they were lucky in the season opener against the Baltimore Ravens, but since then, has anyone felt they would lose any of the next seven games?
Andy Reid, who should be coach of the year, continues to alter his offense despite all the injuries. When Mecole Hardman went down, the Chiefs were down to Hopkins, Justin Watson, Xavier Worthy, and Justyn Ross. Yet Reid made it work before Hardman eventually returned to the field.
Yet, the narrative that isn’t getting enough attention is that the Chiefs point total has been rising since the New Orleans Saints win. Over the last four games, Mahomes and company are averaging nearly 28 points per win. The defense in that time frame is holding opponents to 19 points per game.
Either way, the Chiefs are the best team in the NFL. They know how to win any game against any opponent, at home or on the road. They are this good because they work on every scenario, master the understanding process of the situations they face, and execute them better than anyone.
So if the AFC, or the NFC, for that matter, thinks they can throw a wrinkle at the Chiefs, they best think again. This team feels as if they are flirting with destiny and perfection.
