Red, yellow and white confetti fell at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, confirming their coronation. The Kansas City Chiefs once again experienced that feeling that only one team can achieve during the NFL season, completing a daunting goal and delivering an exciting feeling.
In the 8th Super Bowl, the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime and became the first defending champion of the NFL in 20 years. The win cemented the franchise’s golden era and cemented its status as one of the true dynasties in the league’s 104-year history.
“This is just the beginning,” Patrick Mahomes insisted. “We’re not done yet.”
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Chiefs defeat 49ers in Super Bowl overtime to solidify dynasty
To win their third Lombardi Trophy in five years, the Chiefs must overcome their worst regular season and most dangerous path to the playoffs in the Andy Reid-Patrick Mahomes era.
The Chiefs, the No. 3 seed in the AFC, dominated the Miami Dolphins in freezing weather, a game in which Reid had icicles hanging from his beard. Then, in Mahomes’ first road playoff game of his seven-year career, the Chiefs rallied in the second half to win 27-24, and their defense held the Buffalo Bills scoreless in the fourth quarter. . They entered the Super Bowl with another road victory, 17-10 over league MVP Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens, who entered the playoffs with the best record in the NFL.
In overtime against the 49ers, Mahomes led the team on a game-winning 75-yard drive that ended with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman. The Chiefs fought back from 10-0 down and scored the points they needed in the final seconds of the game.
Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman and quarterback Patrick Mahomes celebrate a Super Bowl-winning touchdown in overtime. (Stephen R. Silvagni/USA Today)
Mahomes won his third Super Bowl MVP award, but there’s no doubt the defense is the backbone of the 2023 Chiefs team.
“This is the best defense I’ve ever played on,” tight end Travis Kelce said midseason. “Honestly, they saved us in a lot of situations.”
Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s team was held to 30 points by no opponent, the fewest points scored by any team in the second half in the league. Defensive tackle Chris Jones and defensive end George Kraftis lead the team with 10 1/2 sacks. Spagnuolo’s defense benefited from career-best seasons from several players, including cornerbacks Jarius Snead and Trent McDuffie, safety Justin Reed and defensive end Charles · Omenihu.
“Seeing this defense all year long, I know sometimes I have to get them out there and let them be the focus,” Mahomes said.
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Kelce yells at Reid on the sideline at Super Bowl XVIII
Mahomes is the league’s most talented quarterback and has shown leadership, creativity and acumen all season long, but was at his best when the Chiefs needed it in January and February.
“It’s hard to describe a guy that’s that good,” general manager Brett Veach said. “He’s a legend. He’s a blessing.”
Kelce, an 11-year veteran, also had his best moments in the postseason, overcoming long-term knee and ankle injuries to outscore Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice. ), becoming the player with the most postseason receptions in NFL history.
“We have the best quarterback in the world,” Chiefs linebacker Drew Tranquill said. “We have the best tight end in the world. We have the best coach in the world. We have the best defensive coordinator in the world. We have the best general manager in the world.
“When you have it all? It’s just a matter of time.”
But it took the defending champion some time to put it all together this time around. The Chiefs got off to a slow start this season, losing to the Detroit Lions in their league opener. All-Pro players Kelce and Jones did not play — Kelce because of a knee injury and Jones because of his persistence. But the Chiefs lost the game because of eight pass breakups, the two worst coming by wide receiver Kadarius Toney. Kansas City leads the NFL with 44 pass breakups, so pass breakups will be a recurring issue throughout the regular season.
Mahomes and Co. won their next six games and entered the bye week with a 7-2 record after defeating the Dolphins’ potent offense in Frankfort, Germany. But as the turnovers mounted, they lost four of their next six games. A 20-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Christmas Day at Arrowhead Stadium was the team’s lowest point.
Veach firmly believes the Chiefs would not have made it to the Super Bowl without that Christmas Day humiliation.
“Something’s not right,” Veitch said. “That loss, I think, hit us hard. It made the entire organization look in the mirror.”
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What makes the pairing of Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes as special as any great coaching and quarterback pairing?
A self-evaluation on the eve of the postseason led Reed to condense the playbook and simplify the game plan.
Running back Isiah Pacheco is determined to run the ball, rookie Rashee Rice has developed into a No. 1 wide receiver, and the offensive line has gelled in time. The mistakes that hampered the offense during the regular season disappeared. The Chiefs didn’t lose again.
“We may not be the prettiest, but we’ll fight,” Reed said. “That’s the character of this team.”
A team that once featured a high-octane offense and Mahomes’ improvised passes needs to change its identity this season. From the first day of training camp on July 18 to the end of Super Bowl overtime on February 11, the Chiefs won their second consecutive championship, maintaining their status as the best in the league not by flash but by sheer perseverance.
This article is the introduction to “Undeniable: The Kansas City Chiefs’ Extraordinary 2023 Championship Season,” The Athletic’s commemorative book about the Chiefs’ 2023-24 season. Order a copy now for $16.95 plus shipping and tax. Books will ship the week of February 19th.
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How the Chiefs became an NFL dynasty (and the path to overtaking the Patriots): Sandow’s No. 6 pick
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Travis Kelce finished ‘on top of the world’ under microscope as Chiefs season ends
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Andy Reid, who stayed the course in Chiefs’ Super Bowl win, now ranks among all-time greats
(Photo of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
