Chiefs report card: Let the grades reflect that they’re back in the AFC title game
Here is the mostly good report card from the Chiefs’ 51-31 victory over the Houston Texans in Sunday’s AFC Divisional Round NFL playoff game.
For the second straight year the Chiefs will play host to the AFC Championship Game, next Sunday, vs. Tennessee in Kansas City.
KC Star of the Game
It could easily be tight end Travis Kelce, who had the best playoff game of his career. Or safety Daniel Sorensen. His two special teams plays in the second quarter helped turn the game.
But a quarterback who throws five touchdowns in a playoff game, including matching an NFL record four in one quarter (second), gets the nod.
Patrick Mahomes has accomplished much in his young career. This goes to the top of his best games because it occurred in January. Only twice in the regular season has Mahomes thrown more touchdown passes. Sunday, he completed 23 of 35 for 321 yards with a quarterback rating of 134.6.
Reason to hope: No deficit is too great? We can go with that. Down 24-0, the Chiefs pulled off the greatest comeback in franchise history. Or the Chiefs won without Chris Jones, the Pro Bowl defensive lineman who was a game-day scratch with a calf injury. Either way, there was plenty of hope the way this game unfolded.
Reason to mope: What explains the Chiefs’ awful start? The off-week? Andy Reid excels in those scenarios. But a lack of concentration was apparent. Dropped passes, a busted coverage, a blocked punt. The Texans took full advantage. But so much for the idea the Chiefs needed a fast start to win the game.
Next: The AFC Championship Game returns to Arrowhead Stadium. The Tennessee Titans, who defeated the Chiefs 35-32 in Week 10 at Nashville, comes to town for a 2:05 p.m. kickoff Sunday, with the winner headed to the Super Bowl in Miami on Feb. 2.
REPORT CARD
Passing offense: A
The drops were stunning. Kelce had one early. Demarcus Robinson had three in the first half. Teams don’t often overcome those types of mistakes. But most teams don’t have Mahomes. Targets finally held on to the ball. Sammy Watkins came up with a couple of big catches to go along with Kelce’s 10-reception, three-touchdown game. A terrific game by the Chiefs’ offensive line.
Rushing offense: B
The numbers weren’t great, but the Chiefs made the most of their opportunities. Damien Williams provided two rushing touchdowns. He added one as a receiver and has seven touchdowns in three postseason games. Interesting that Darwin Thompson and LeSean McCoy didn’t play. The most effect runs came from Mahomes on keepers when his receivers were covered.
Passing defense: B
The Chiefs didn’t get a sack of Deshaun Watson in the regular-season loss. But Frank Clark got to him three times, and Rashad Fenton came up with another sack. Watson put up good numbers but he played from behind the entire second half.
Rushing defense: A
No 192-yard game this time. The Texans ran wild and controlled the clock against the Chiefs in the regular season meeting. Even though Houston jumped to a big lead, it didn’t happen on the ground. Carlos Hyde was kept in check and Watson wasn’t a big threat with his legs.
Special teams: B
So much happened here. A blocked punt resulted in the Texans’ second touchdown. Also, Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker missed an extra point. But the special teams were critical in the Chiefs’ comeback. Daniel Sorensen’s alert tackle on the fake punt may have been the game’s biggest play. Sorensen also came up with the hit that caused the fumble on the kickoff return.
Coaching: A
Playoff victories are special things. Yes, the Chiefs weren’t ready. Was that the fault of the coaching staff? But give Reid credit for the play-calling that got the Chiefs back into the game. The sideline must have remained a positive place even with a four-score deficit. Also, the Chiefs didn’t go into a shell with the lead. They kept attacking and extended the margin.
This story was originally published January 12, 2020 at 5:31 PM.