The Chiefs have won the AFC WEST Division for the fourth year in a row. Photo Kansas City Chiefs.
Chiefs take down New England!
By Sam Kombrink
As the holidays approach, there is good reason to cheer in Kansas City. One of the main reasons would be to celebrate the Kansas City Chiefs defeating the New England Patriots on Sunday by a score of 23-16. The Chiefs still have three more games to play, and I see them having a 6-game winning streak, making them a team no one will want to play come playoff time.
On Sunday the Chiefs showed the league they have what it takes to dethrone the Patriots.
New England scored on their first drive and KC answered back with a 48-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Mecole Hardman. With the offense that the Chiefs run, defenses are not able to stop everyone involved in the passing game. If teams try and double cover wide receiver Tyreek Hill or tight end Travis Kelce, that usually opens the door for a big play from players such as wide receivers Sammy Watkins, Demarcus Robinson and Mecole Hardman. Mahomes could even get the running backs Lesean McCoy, Damien Williams, Spencer Ware and Darwin Thompson involved in the passing game.
The Chiefs also did a good job of being creative in the red zone by running a play that was drawn up by the great Bill Snyder at Kansas State University, the “wildcat,” where (tight end) Travis Kelce dropped back under center and ran in a 4-yard touchdown.
STATS: (https://www.pro-football-reference.com/)
OFFENSE:
- QB Patrick Mahomes – 26/40, 283 yards, 1 Touchdown, 1 Interception
- TE Travis Kelce – 7 receptions, 66 yards, 1 Rushing Touchdown
- WR Tyreek Hill – 6 receptions, 62 yards, 2 rushes, 8 yards
- WR Sammy Watkins – 4 receptions, 50 yards
- WR Mecole Hardman – 1 reception, 48 yards, 1 Touchdown
- RB Lesean McCoy – 11 rushes, 39 yards
- RB Spencer Ware – 5 rushes, 11 yards
- RB Darwin Thompson – 4 rushes, 7 yards, 4 receptions, 36 yards
DEFENSE:
- S Tyrann Mathieu – 6 tackles (led the team)
- LB Damien Wilson – 5 tackles
- CB Bashaud Breeland – 3 tackles, 1 interception, 2 passes defended
- DE Frank Clark – 3 tackles, 1 sack
- DE Chris Jones – 2 tackles, 1 sack
- DE Alex Okafor – 2 tackles, 1 sack
The most important play of the game came from the defense. Not only did cornerback Bashaud Breeland intercept a Tom Brady pass, but on the Patriots’ last drive he was able to deflect a game-tying touchdown pass intended for New England wide receiver Julian Edelman. Much of the Chiefs’ success is also due to the hiring of defensive line coach Brendan Daly from the New England Patriots; he knew how much pressure to put on Brady.
People asked me last season if the Chiefs have what it takes to win the Super Bowl, and I said yes, as long as the defense can make plays and they do that on the road.