On a cold January evening, Arrowhead Stadium played host to the AFC Championship game in Kansas City, Missouri. The #1 seeded Chiefs matched up against the #2 seeded Patriots. With less than two minutes to play, the Patriots and Tom Brady found themselves down 28-24. Damien Williams had just scored a touchdown to put the Chiefs on top.
One of the game’s greatest quarterbacks faced a third down and 10 from the Kansas City 34 yard line. Brady dropped to pass and looked for his favorite target Rob Gronkowski. The Chiefs defensive back, Charvarius Ward, intercepted the pass and it looked like the dynasty had ended. However, the referees threw a flag and called the Chiefs for being offsides at the snap.
Defensive end Dee Ford became the guilty party. Upon further review, it did not appear Ford committed the offsides penalty, but the referees made their decision. Brady took advantage of the second chance and led his Patriots to the go-ahead touchdown. MVP candidate Patrick Mahomes was not intimidated by the importance of this game. The second year player led the Chiefs into field goal range.
Kicker Harrison Butker tied the game up with his field goal and we headed for overtime. However, the Patriots won the toss and Mahomes never saw the field again. Brady led his team to the game winning touchdown drive, punctuated by Rex Burkhead two yard run. The Patriots advanced to Super Bowl 53.
The Chiefs had the game won, only to see a questionable penalty ultimately cost them the game. David could not slay Goliath for a second straight year. Entering 2019, Mahomes and the Chiefs have their eyes set on a rematch: AFC Championship game in Arrowhead part two.
The 2019 Chiefs roster figures to yield MVP numbers for Mahomes again. Mahomes looks to continue to take the league by storm with his talent level. Joining Mahomes on offense will be running backs Damien and Darrel Williams, as well as receivers Sammy Watkins, De’Anthony Thomas, Demarcus Robinson, and Travis Kelce.
With the additions of running back Carlos Hyde and draftee Mecole Hardman, Mahomes has a ton of weapons to torch AFC opposing defenses. The Chiefs made a change on defense. After the success Tom Brady had in the AFC Championship, Andy Reid decided to go in a different direction.
Newly hired defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo looks to leave his mark on this defense. Among the players on Spagnuolo’s defense include, newly acquired, Emanuel Ogbah, Morris Claiborne, and Breshaud Breeland. Add in returners Reggie Ragland, Kendall Fuller, Alex Okafor and Justin Hamilton and this defense has the pieces to be dominating. If Spagnuolo can establish his system quickly, the Chiefs will fare well against opposing offenses. Look for this defense to take the next step in helping their team continue to solidify themselves as a Super Bowl competitor.
The Chiefs will have a target on their back as they start 2019 as they start their journey to avenge their AFC Championship game loss to the Patriots. They were the second to last team to lose last year. This year is no different as the Chiefs could start 7-0 before playing Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. The Chiefs bounce back to win their next two before losing to their division rivals, the Los Angeles Chargers. Kansas City splits their next two games defeating the Raiders but losing to the Patriots.
The Chiefs will close out the season winning two of their last three to finish 12-4. Having lost head-to-head to the Patriots, the Chiefs will have to hope the Patriots finish 11-5 or worse. This is also an identical scenario we saw last year. Best case the Chiefs defeat the Packers and manage a 13-3 record.
If Kansas City finishes 13-3 that puts them in the driver seat to be the #1 seed for a second straight year. To beat the Patriots, history shows us the Patriots fare better at home in the playoffs. Since 2011, the Patriots are 13-1 at home in the playoffs.
The Chiefs are ready to show last year was not a fluke. Kansas City has not appeared in a Super Bowl since Super Bowl 4. They hope to change their franchise history this year. With Mahomes at the controls and Head Coach Andy Reid calling the shots, the Chiefs second championship could be right around the corner.
