On Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in overtime to capture the franchise’s 3rd Super Bowl in 5 seasons. Only the New England Patriots have been able to accomplish that feat in this century. As it stands, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the team have shown no signs of slowing down.
If there was to be a year where Mahomes failed to reach even the AFC Title Game, it would have been this season. The Chiefs were absent of an above average skill group on offense for Mahomes to work with. However, the brilliance of the league’s best quarterback was still able to shine and bring home the Lombardi trophy.
How Did the Chiefs Win Again?
All season long, the Chiefs were doubted by the NFL media and the fans because of their slow start and lack of offensive star power. The mistakes were glaring, especially from the team’s receiving core apart from tight end Travis Kelce. Receivers Kadarius Toney and Marquez Valdes-Scantling performed well below expectations and, at times, cost the team game-changing plays due to their frequent drops.
Nevertheless, the team was saved countless times by Mahomes and his superhuman ability to make amazing plays when they were most needed. In addition, running back Isaiah Pacheco stepped up big time and ran with such a force that made him difficult to stop.
Defensively, the Chiefs were as good as it gets under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. During the course of the season, the defense was ranked the second best in the league and allowed the second fewest yards per game. They were anchored by All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones and All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie.
In past years, it has been the offense that made the plays and scored the points to win games. This season, however, the script flipped, and it was the defense that was holding the opponents down.
Apart from the stats of the team and of individual players, another reason for the Chiefs Super Bowl run was because of their championship DNA and experience. Many players on the roster have already won Super Bowls, meaning that they know what it takes to win. A large example of this was evident after 49ers’ personnel admitted they were not prepared for the OT session, whereas the Chiefs were very prepared.
What Will the Future Hold?
With how good of a player Mahomes has been to start his career, it is very plausible that the Chiefs will be relevant for a long time. Even with an inferior team in relation to years past, he still managed to win it all. It seems like his reign upon the NFL is only beginning, as no one has proven that they can consistently beat the 2-time MVP when it counts.
Among active players, the only quarterback that has beaten Mahomes in the playoffs is Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow. Future Hall of Famer and GOAT Tom Brady was able to beat Mahomes twice, but he has unfortunately retired. NFL fans need to face the reality that the league went from Brady’s era straight into Mahomes’ era.
