A Magician, a Cheetah, and a Sea of Red

By: Peyton Schultze

After a season for the ages, young Patrick Mahomes faces the biggest test of his short career on Saturday against Indianapolis.

The scene is grim. On a cold, January night in 2018 in Kansas City, all hopes and dreams for a chance at a Super Bowl run had once again slipped from the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs. Sound familiar? It should. Over the past three seasons, the Andy Reid-led Chiefs had qualified for the AFC playoffs, yet failed to make it to the AFC Championship Game, nevertheless the Super Bowl, in any of those years. Yet in 2018, the Chiefs finally had hit a point of failure that forced major changes throughout the organization. After holding a 21-3 lead over the inconsistent Tennessee Titans last year, the Chiefs fell apart in the 2nd half and ended up losing 22-21. With Alex Smith, a steady yet limited veteran quarterback that had helped the organization grow over the past few seasons, the Chiefs had limited upside for the future of the team, and had even drafted a quarterback previously in the 2017 NFL Draft that would learn and develop behind Smith. Thus, they moved on from the Pro Bowl player and instead decided to roll with the kid. At first, many members in the media and fans around the world were stunned and critical of the bold move. Many predicted that they Chiefs may not even make the playoffs and would lose the division to the rival Los Angeles Chargers. But if they actually knew what would eventually transpire over the 2018 regular season led by their quarterback apprentice…

Bold choices centered around personnel and creative play calling from head coach, Andy Reid, helped lead the Chiefs to the #1 seed in the AFC

Over the course of the 2018 season for Kansas City, the Chiefs have generated huge headlines based on their wide array of exciting and young players. Yet no player on the team, even perhaps the league, caused more eyes to open based off of their on-field performance than that of Patrick Mahomes. Many thought coming into the season that Mahomes was too raw out of college. That he was not ready yet. That he could not run a pro style offense yet. But time and time again, Mahomes has proven the doubters wrong. Aided by extremely clever play design stirred up by Andy Reid and a wide cast of characters to support him on offense, Mahomes has become the NFL’s version of the Human Highlight Reel. By evading defenders in the pocket, attempting no look passes, and making all the correct throws with his rocket arm, Mahomes is the likely MVP of the 2018 NFL season, which has made the Chiefs even more dangerous than many originally thought and brought them into the picture as a contender to represent the AFC in Super Bowl LIII. Especially with a struggling defense that has failed to stop any offenses around the league this year, Mahomes has been somewhat of a magician game after game for Kansas City by lighting up the scoreboard and making plays that few were thought possible from the 23 year old quarterback. For instance, look no further for his case for Most Valuable Player than with one of the best plays of the entire NFL season in Week 14 against Baltimore:

While Mahomes has been truly magnificent this year, the Chiefs are not in the position they are in only because of the All-Pro quarterback. While their defense has been among the worst through most parts of the season, the Chiefs were still 2nd in the league in sacks. Mostly because of the superb talents of Dee Ford and Chris Jones, Kansas City does indeed feature a dynamic pass rush that can match up well against even some of the league’s best offensive lines. Combine that with the return of their leader on defense in Eric Berry, and the Chiefs, while they certainly have their issues on defense, could at least cause some type of havoc in the turnover department on defense led by their stars. Yet make no mistake about it. The Chiefs are only the top seed in the AFC because of their generationally dominant offense and the weapons they pose on that side of the ball. With a solid offensive line that features a great tackle duo in Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz, Mahomes often has a lot of time in the pocket to stand upright and make key throws down the field to his awesome WRs. And even with the mid-season loss of troubled running back, Kareem Hunt, the Chiefs have responded well with their combination out of the backfield with running backs, Spencer Ware and Damien Williams, through the late stretch of the regular season.

Tyreek Hill, a member of the All-Pro team and Pro Bowler, had an electrifying season in Kansas City.

However, the Chiefs have two of the most dangerous weapons in the league at Mahomes’ disposal that makes them so difficult to defend. With tight end, Travis Kelce, the Chiefs have arguably the top tight end throughout the National Football League with his wide range of skills. Combining rare tight end speed with solid hands and excellent route running makes Kelce among the top weapons in the league at the position, whom Mahomes often relies on during key situational moments over the course of the game. But what mainly makes this Chiefs’ offense so difficult to defend is due to the talents of WR, Tyreek Hill. Providing explosive speed and solid hands, Hill is unquestionably the scariest weapon throughout the league with enormous potential to take it to the house on any given play. Nicknamed “The Cheetah” due to his track star speed and quickness resembling the likes of the explosive animal, Hill has made the Pro Bowl in all of his first three seasons, in addition to two All-Pro selections. With those type of accolades so early in his career, Hill is certainly one of the top receivers in the league and a big part of the Chiefs’ offense, with his big play ability always on the table and over the top for Mahomes. As the Chiefs begin their pursuit towards Super Bowl LIII, Kelce and Hill will be a huge part of their search to secure that ever-so-elusive championship in Kansas City for the first time since Super Bowl IV in 1970.

As difficult a setting as any to play in, Arrowhead Stadium should be crazy when the Chiefs play host to the Colts on Saturday.

As the Indianapolis Colts (10-6) travel to Kansas City for battle in the Divisional Round with the Chiefs (12-4) on Saturday, Arrowhead Stadium will be as loud as ever in support of the hometown Chiefs. While this Chiefs’ team certainly has their flaws across the board on defense, Kansas City will still pose several huge advantages over their opponents in the (possibly) coming weeks. One of these will be the major home field advantage they possess behind a raucous home crowd in one of the loudest venues in sports, which could be a major struggle for Indianapolis to overcome this weekend. As one of the most exciting and highlight-filled teams in the league this year, Chiefs’ fans and their trademarked “Sea of Red” have had a ton to cheer about. A likely-MVP winner in Mahomes. Several All-Pro players in Kelce and Hill. Even a defense that has caused many key turnovers in crucial situations (See: Week 14 in the 4th and OT against Baltimore). If the Chiefs are to represent the AFC in Atlanta for Super Bowl LIII, they will have to beat an extremely tough and red-hot team with the Colts and then battle with their rival Chargers (1-1 on the season against them, with the road team winning both) or the typically scary Patriots as two-time defending AFC champions. Whatever their route to glory may be, Kansas City will face a tough uphill climb towards a Super Bowl crown in 2019. But the Chiefs will still have just as good of a chance as any team left remaining in the tournament. With a home field advantage as strong as any, and the top QB in the league this season with options at his disposal, the Chiefs have a chance to finally overcome their past postseason struggles once and for all. This is the time for Kansas City to rise above the rest of the league. This is the time for Chiefs’ Kingdom to reign once again. This is the time for the Chiefs to capture a Super Bowl.