Chiefs News: What the Chiefs have achieved ‘is not normal’

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How Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs made their seventh straight AFC title sport: ‘It’s not regular’ | The Athletic

Saturday’s win additionally ensured that the convention title sport will as soon as once more be performed at Arrowhead. After solely a year-long hiatus, the Arrowhead Invitational — a rebranding of the title sport, coined by Nick Wright, the co-host of Fox Sports activities 1’s “First Issues First” — is again on for its sixth version.

“It’s not regular on this league to have this a lot sustained success,” proper guard Trey Smith stated. “You perceive how particular that is. Within the offseason, coaching with gamers from varied organizations, they don’t have the identical expertise. Actually, the one phrase that involves thoughts is gratitude.”

The Texans simply made the mistaken sort of NFL Playoffs historical past | SB Nation

For the Texans, their flight dwelling will probably be full of ideas of “what if.” Kicker Kai’mi Fairbairn missed one area purpose, had one other blocked, and missed an additional level within the loss. Houston additionally outgained the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs 336-212, had 18 first downs to Kansas Metropolis’s 12, received the time of possession battle 33:26 to 26:34, and didn’t flip the soccer over.

Normally whenever you accomplish issues like that in an NFL Playoff sport, you come away with a victory. However not the Texans in the present day.

The truth is, Houston grew to become the primary staff in NFL Playoff historical past to outgain their opponent by 100 yards or extra, not flip the soccer over, and lose the sport. In line with Benjamin Solak of ESPN, solely the Texans have executed that within the playoffs and misplaced.

The opposite 49 groups to outgain their opponents by 100 yards or extra and never flip the soccer over all received their playoff video games:

NFL divisional spherical playoff overreactions: Travis Kelce higher than Jerry Rice? | CBS Sports activities

Travis Kelce is the very best receiver to ever play within the postseason

Overreaction or actuality: Actuality

Kelce added to his postseason legend in Saturday’s win, catching seven passes for 117 yards and a landing within the victory. Kelce handed Jerry Rice for probably the most 100-yard video games by any participant within the postseason (9) and has 14 straight playoff video games with 70+ receiving yards — double the quantity of the subsequent highest participant (Antonio Brown has seven).

Kelce has 2,020 receiving yards, and 20 receiving touchdowns in his playoff profession — solely Rice has extra with 2,245 and 22 touchdowns. At 35 years outdated, Kelce may go Rice as quickly as this season — and he’s already in hanging distance of Rice.

Each Kelce and Rice have three Tremendous Bowl titles and are the No. 1 choices for every of their Tremendous Bowl championship groups. Kelce additionally has probably the most receptions by any participant in postseason historical past (172) — and has these numbers in six fewer playoff video games than Rice.

In relation to the postseason, nobody is a greater go catcher than Kelce.

Texans voice dismay with officiating following 23-14 Divisional Spherical loss to Chiefs | NFL.com

Anderson was cited for roughing the passer on a third-and-8 Mahomes incompletion halfway by means of the third quarter. The primary down that accompanied the penalty led to an eventual go-ahead area purpose.

“I had forcible contact to the facemask space and so I went with roughing the passer on that play,” referee Clay Martin informed pool reporter Aaron Wilson.

Within the third quarter, Mahomes scrambled for a achieve earlier than sliding. Two Texans gamers, who collided with one another, additionally contacted Mahomes. That drew an pointless roughness flag and was a part of a drive that culminated with a landing catch by Travis Kelce.

“So, [Mahomes] slid, clearly and when he slides, he’s thought of defenseless,” Martin stated. “The onus is on the defender. I had forcible contact there to the hairline, the helmet.”

No matter any clarification, the Texans didn’t hesitate to voice their views on how they felt the sport was referred to as.

“Everyone is aware of how it’s enjoying up right here,” Houston operating again Joe Mixon stated. “You’ll be able to by no means go away it into the refs’ arms. It’s what it’s. When it comes right down to it, you may by no means go away it into the refs’ arms.”

Travis Kelce labelled ‘greatest to ever do it’ after making NFL historical past | Sky Sports activities

“When the second is actual, these two dudes discover a approach,” stated Sky Sports activities NFL’s Jason Bell. “They discover one another. Patrick Mahomes could make any throw, he doesn’t want any ft, any steadiness, he simply wants his thoughts and aura.

“The Chiefs simply discover a approach. The entire season has been like that. After they’ve wanted to discover a play – be that on offense or protection – somebody steps up.

“We’ve all been speaking about it: what’s going to occur within the playoffs? Properly, Travis Kelce involves the occasion.

Most regarding flaw for every Divisional Spherical winner, high offseason want for every eradicated staff | NFL.com

Greatest weak spot: The protection isn’t as dominant because it seems.

The Chiefs received their second straight Tremendous Bowl final season largely as a result of that they had a protection that would carry this staff when the offense faltered. That merely hasn’t been the case this season. Nearly as good as the general numbers seemed within the common season — Kansas Metropolis ranked fourth in factors allowed and ninth in yards — there have been just too many instances when opponents produced large performs and moved the soccer towards this protection. We’re not simply speaking about achieved quarterbacks, equivalent to Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield or Buffalo’s Josh Allen, having large days towards this unit. Lesser skills like Carolina’s Bryce Younger and Las Vegas’ Aidan O’Connell did comparable issues as effectively. The Chiefs’ 23-14 Divisional Spherical win over Houston was much more proof of this weak spot. Sure, Kansas Metropolis recorded eight sacks, a majority of which got here when the Texans had been pressured into apparent passing downs within the fourth quarter. The Chiefs additionally surrendered 149 speeding yards, allowed Houston to transform 10 of 17 third-down alternatives and gave up a scoring drive within the third quarter that lasted simply over 10 minutes. The Texans got here into that contest with solely certainly one of their high three broad receivers (Nico Collins), a operating again nursing an ankle harm (Joe Mixon) and an offensive line that allowed the third-most sacks within the league. This could’ve been a mismatch in favor of Kansas Metropolis. As a substitute, the Texans trailed by eight factors within the fourth quarter and will’ve made the sport extra fascinating with higher particular groups play, fewer penalties and a few controversial officiating calls. There’s no query the Chiefs will probably be robust to beat within the subsequent spherical, as they’ve been to 4 Tremendous Bowls within the final 5 years. It’s additionally honest to surprise if that protection can maintain up towards a more healthy offense that may generate loads of factors.

NFL divisional-round playoff overreactions: Payments lastly beating Chiefs? | CBS Sports activities

That is the yr the Payments will lastly beat the Chiefs in playoffs

Overreaction or actuality: Overreaction

Till the Payments truly beat the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, will probably be exhausting to promote Buffalo on going to the Tremendous Bowl. The Payments and Chiefs have met 3 times within the playoffs beneath Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen — all instances received by Mahomes and the Chiefs (together with final yr in Buffalo).

The Payments are the one staff the Chiefs’ starters have misplaced to this season, and Buffalo has overwhelmed Kansas Metropolis the final 3 times within the common season. Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid are a special beast within the playoffs, nevertheless, particularly at dwelling.

That is going off historical past, reasonably than how proficient the Payments are and the way Allen can will them to victory. The Payments had been outplayed by the Ravens on Sunday, however received as a result of they didn’t have a turnover and made the performs wanted to advance.

If Buffalo can do this towards Kansas Metropolis, the Payments have a shot.

NFL playoff winners, losers: Lions run out of magic vs Commanders | USA At this time

Winners

Taylor Swift

The pop celebrity’s solely different journey for this season will probably be a attainable journey to New Orleans for Tremendous Bowl 59, as she received’t have to depart Kansas Metropolis after heading to Baltimore final yr for the AFC title sport. And he or she took within the newest contest whereas sitting subsequent to WNBA sensation Caitlin Clark. Profitable was actually throughout at Arrowhead on Saturday.

Steve Spagnuolo’s go rush

Any risk of a Texans comeback was shortly extinguished by Spagnuolo’s fearsome entrance, which produced eight sacks towards C.J. Stroud. Defensive finish George Karlaftis led the best way with three, together with one on a fourth-and-10 within the fourth quarter. With cornerback Jaylen Watson again because the important lacking piece to the Chiefs’ protection puzzle, Spagnuolo ought to solely be capable of unleash additional havoc shifting ahead.

Patrick Mahomes Provides Good Nickname for Travis Kelce After Scorching Playoff Efficiency | SI

So, what’s it in regards to the playoffs that makes Kelce step up his sport yr after yr? His quarterback Patrick Mahomes has a solution.

“Huge-time gamers make big-time performs in big-time video games. … That is Playoff Trav,” Mahomes stated after the sport. “He’s a frontrunner, man. That is what he lives for, is enjoying in these moments, having the prospect to make big-time performs. He goes on the market and does that, and it looks as if he does it in each single playoff sport.”

Kelce could have an opportunity to maintain exhibiting off “Playoff Trav” subsequent Sunday when the Chiefs play within the AFC championship sport for a seventh straight yr. Kansas Metropolis is on the trail to attempt to win three Tremendous Bowl titles in a row, a feat that has but to be achieved in NFL historical past.

Across the NFL

Rams QB Matthew Stafford says ‘it certain looks like’ he has extra soccer in him following playoff loss to Eagles | NFL.com

When Matthew Stafford’s ultimate go try of the 2024 season sailed over the top of Puka Nacua into the Rams’ sideline on Sunday at Lincoln Monetary Discipline, a harsh actuality began to set in.

This Rams season — a magical one which noticed them overcome a 1-4 begin to attain the playoffs and win a playoff sport regardless of it being relocated from Los Angeles to Arizona amid tragedy — was formally over by way of 28-22 loss to the Eagles within the Divisional Spherical.

It didn’t take lengthy for everybody to begin questioning what is likely to be forward for Stafford, who turns 37 in February.

“I’ll discuss my current,” Stafford stated on Sunday after the sport. “Clearly, proud to be related to this group, teaching employees, entrance workplace, group of gamers, coaching employees, tools guys and everyone. It was a hell of an effort all yr to get up to now. Anytime, you play like this and get into the playoffs and get a win to maintain it shifting, anytime you come up quick it’s even more durable. That’s troublesome however proud to be related to this group.

Baltimore Ravens refuse responsible Mark Andrews for loss | ESPN

After one other irritating end within the playoffs, a ticked-off Lamar Jackson refused responsible tight finish Mark Andrews’ dropped go on a late 2-point conversion try for the Baltimore Ravens’ 27-25 loss to the Buffalo Payments in Sunday’s AFC divisional sport.

As a substitute, the reigning NFL most precious participant directed his anger on the Ravens’ three uncharacteristic turnovers.

“Each time we in conditions like this, turnovers play an element,” Jackson stated whereas slapping his proper hand into his left. “We will’t have that s— and that’s why we misplaced the sport. As you may see, we’re shifting the ball splendidly … it’s maintain on to the f—ing ball. I’m sorry for my language. This s— is annoying. I’m uninterested in this s—.”

Regardless of the turnovers — which included two by Jackson — the Ravens had an opportunity to tie the rating within the fourth quarter. Jackson’s 24-yard landing go to tight finish Isaiah Doubtless trimmed Baltimore’s deficit to 27-25 with 1:33 left within the sport.

On the 2-point conversion try, Jackson’s go hit Andrews within the abdomen earlier than the ball slipped by means of his grasp as he fell backward into the tip zone.

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Delight

10 winners and 4 losers from the Chiefs’ win over the Texans

Losers

Left sort out Joe Thuney: Head Coach Andy Reid determined to stay with the offensive line that helped get the Chiefs up to now. The end result wasn’t horrible, but it surely was clear that Thuney struggled towards Will Anderson Jr. and a tricky Texans entrance. Anderson had two sacks and three tackles for loss to associate with quite a lot of pressures — a lot of which had been on the expense of the All-Professional guard who was enjoying sort out. I’m undecided if there’s a greater choice, however this was actually a tricky matchup for Thuney.

The opposite broad receivers: Who may have predicted that outdoors of Worthy, the staff’s wideouts would find yourself with 4 targets — and no catches? Mahomes threw the ball solely 25 instances, so there weren’t a complete lot of alternatives. Nevertheless it was nonetheless stunning to see DeAndre Hopkins go and not using a catch towards his former staff — and for Hollywood Brown to fail to get one after a few weeks of relaxation. On offense, this sport was all about Mahomes and Kelce — however within the subsequent spherical, they’ll want extra from their different receivers.

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