How Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs played in their 7th straight AFC title game: ‘It’s not normal’

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Many years from now, when Arrowhead Stadium is no longer the home of the Chiefs, when coach Andy Reid is no longer on the sidelines looking at his laminated play sheet, when defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will have stopped blitzing, When the trio of Hall of Fame players – quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce and passer Chris Jones – already have their gold jackets, the people who live in this city ​​will still remember this time. January matches, including those on Saturday.

The Chiefs’ divisional game — this one against the Houston Texans — ended the way it always has since 2018, when Mahomes became the starter. In the final minute, Mahomes waved his arms up and down as he watched fans celebrate. Arrowhead’s two jumbotrons then displayed two words: The leaders win!

The Chiefs, winning 23-14, clinched a spot in their seventh straight AFC championship game.

“It’s been a special ride, with everyone here in Kansas City, from the organization to the community,” Mahomes said. “I just try to cherish it.” I still remember the World Series (2000) moments my dad played in when I was 5 years old. It’s cool to be able to participate in these big matches.

Saturday’s victory also ensured that the conference title game will once again be played at Arrowhead. After just a one-year hiatus, the Arrowhead Invitational – a rebrand of the title game, invented by Nick Wright, co-host of Fox Sports 1’s “First Things First” – is back for its sixth edition.

“It’s not normal in this league to have such sustained success,” right guard Trey Smith said. “You understand how special this is. In the offseason, training with players from various organizations, they don’t have the same experience. Honestly, the only word that comes to mind is gratitude.

KEEP BRINGING IT, #CHIEFSKINGDOM pic.twitter.com/BUbIteA82a

– Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 19, 2025

Before facing the Texans, Mahomes’ performances in the previous six divisional round games were unassailable. He generated 16 total touchdowns without committing a turnover and his passer rating was 115.8, the best in league history. Despite a rough start Saturday, the result of extremely windy conditions and 23 days of rest, Mahomes did much to outsmart the Texans and earn his 16th playoff victory, tying Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana for second. of the history of the league. Mahomes finished with just 177 passing yards and a touchdown, but he didn’t commit a turnover and had several highlights to ensure the Texans never took the lead.

“I always tell our coaches, ‘Don’t get used to this,'” Reid said of Mahomes, the only quarterback to win a playoff game every year as a starter. “It’s unreal. I would say the same thing to the fans: we are very lucky to have him here. What he’s doing just isn’t happening. This is why he is the best at what he has done in a relatively young career.

While Mahomes may be in his prime, his best pass catcher against the Texans was still Kelce, the oldest player on the Chiefs at 35 years old.

Before Saturday, many analysts were understandably wondering if Kelce could increase his production in the Chiefs’ most important game of the season, especially as the team seeks an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl victory. The Chiefs’ 23 days of rest, after clinching the AFC’s No. 1 seed on Christmas Day, seemed to be a big help to Kelce, who produced a classic performance: seven receptions on eight targets for 117 yards and a touchdown.

“Man, there’s nothing better than playoff football, especially here at Arrowhead,” Kelce said. “The crowd is always electric. The feeling you get playing these games with the guys you work with all year, it’s the most rewarding feeling when you come out on top. I’m going to cherish every one of these (victories).

Travis Kelce rumbles for 49 yards!

📺: #HOUvsKC on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/dKYyXKnOZ5

– NFL (@NFL) January 18, 2025

In the regular season, Kelce tried to perfect the football version of a savvy veteran boxer, similar to former great Floyd Mayweather Jr. – throwing quality punches and never taking hay to preserve your body for the longest great fight, the great battle with a much greater one. greater price. Kelce’s most productive game this season before Saturday was 14 receptions for 100 yards in an overtime victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9.

When the Texans played zone coverage, Mahomes was able to find Kelce, often in the middle of the field. Kelce’s ninth career playoff game with at least 100 receiving yards broke a tie with Hall of Famer Jerry Rice for the most in NFL history.

Mahomes said it helps when you have receivers like Xavier Worthy, Marquise Brown and DeAndre Hopkins.

“When you have those weapons, it’s hard for the defense to respond to everyone,” Mahomes said.

Before halftime, Kelce collected the ball in midfield and refused to be tackled by the first defender. He gained 49 yards — his longest reception of the season and the first play on which he gained more than 20 yards after the catch, according to Next Gen Stats — to set up running back Kareem Hunt’s 1-yard touchdown run. Kelce was in fine form, reminding everyone why he was such a special tight end: his ability to gain big yards after the catch. Kelce produced a game-high 57 yards after his receptions on Saturday.

“That’s what I always pride myself on: Once I get the ball in my hands, I’m a different player than everyone else,” Kelce said. “It felt good to finally be able to make a guy miss this year.”

Early in the fourth quarter, with the Chiefs going on a long drive in response to the Texans’ one, Kelce didn’t need any yards after the catch when the offense faced a critical third-and-goal from the 11-yard line . But Mahomes didn’t have much time to throw. While trying to move back into the pocket, Mahomes was hit by defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr., who grabbed his left foot. Falling toward the turf, Mahomes kept his eyes up, showed his strength and flexibility and threw a precise pass to Kelce between two defenders.

Amazing.

📺: #HOUvsKC on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/rDsGcSKFAK

– NFL (@NFL) January 18, 2025

“It was all I had. These are Bobby Stroupe’s workouts,” Mahomes said, referring to his longtime coach. “You just have to find a way (to succeed) in those big moments.”

Chiefs players struggled to describe their astonishment to see Mahomes and Kelce orchestrate another memorable playoff moment.

“It’s just classic Pat and Travis, man. They’re the ultimate playmakers,” Smith said, shaking his head.

“I thought it was going to be an interception,” Hunt said with a laugh. “(Mahomes) is the magic man, man. It’s crazy.

Jones, who was watching from the bench, just smiled as fans applauded. “Pat and Travis are at it again, man,” he said. “Just when you think you have them, you don’t.”

When Mahomes and Kelce were on the sideline, the Chiefs defense, led by Spagnuolo, reached its No. 1 target, disrupting the connection between quarterback CJ Stroud and receiver Nico Collins.

In the previous round, the Texans rallied to beat the Los Angeles Chargers in part because Stroud completed seven passes to Collins for 122 yards and a touchdown. On Saturday, Collins had five receptions for 81 yards. Cornerback Trent McDuffie was effective in Collins’ man coverage. McDuffie lined up opposite Collins on 22 of his 32 routes (68.8%), allowing just two receptions for 42 yards, according to Next Gen Stats. Spagnuolo’s pass scheme led to Stroud being sacked eight times and hit 14 times.

THE DEFENSE WOKED UP HUNGRY TODAY 🍽️ pic.twitter.com/JGw5bKEAHF

– Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 18, 2025

In the second half, Spagnuolo’s blitzes gave Stroud little time to find his receivers. The Chiefs generated 12 pressures and three sacks on 17 blitzes (70.6 percent pressure rate), including eight pressures generated by an unblocked passer, according to Next Gen Stats. Defensive end George Karlaftis led the Chiefs with three sacks.

“He has all this experience and he knows how to call in critical situations,” Karlaftis said of Spagnuolo. “But also, on top of that, we know (why) he calls (the blitz) because we coached him so much in practice. When it comes to play time, you’re just free and running.

In 2018, Jones said many Chiefs were excited to reach the AFC Championship Game, just the chance to be one win away from making the Super Bowl. This experience helped the Chiefs win their first Vince Lombardi Trophy in 50 years the following year.

This season, however, the Chiefs’ path is different, Jones said, because of the importance of next week’s game, which will pit one of their biggest rivals, either the Buffalo Bills or Baltimore Ravens .

“Now we’re even hungrier to get to the Super Bowl because of what’s at stake: a three-peat, getting there and playing in front of our fans again,” Jones said. “We still want to bring home that Lamar Hunt Trophy.”

(Photo: Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)