ROAD TO THE SUPER BOWL: How the Chiefs made it to Miami
It opened with championship expectations. Then it looked all but over as the star quarterback crumpled to the field in Denver.
From the wild highs to soul-searching lows, the Kansas City Chiefs persevered on their road to the Super Bowl and now they have a date with destiny.
In the following game-by-game recounting, you’ll recall how it all unfolded, from a winning streak to start the season, those moments of struggle, Patrick Mahomes’ leadership and preternatural football abilities (not to mention a vastly improved defense) and finally a mammoth breakthrough in the AFC Championship Game.
These factors and so many others have conspired to lift the Chiefs onto the biggest stage in professional sports for the first time in 50 years:
Super Bowl LIV in Miami against the San Francisco 49ers on Feb. 2.
Week 1
Chiefs 40, Jaguars 26: The journey begins
Date: Sept. 8, 2019
Record: 1-0
Storyline: The Chiefs’ Super Bowl season gets started with a win, but at a price: star receiver Tyreek Hill is hospitalized with a severe shoulder injury.
The star: Let’s go with Sammy Watkins, who set career bests with 198 receiving yards and three touchdowns. It was the second-best game by a wide receiver in Patrick Mahomes’ two seasons. — Blair Kerkhoff
The Chiefs said this: “For sure it’s gonna hurt us. But I think we have the group of guys and the coaches and staff to continue to have the game plan.” — Chiefs WR Sammy Watkins after Hill’s injury
We said this: The short man walked tall in a gold blazer and red tie appropriate for his first game day in this new job. Steve Spagnuolo wore a quick strut and a toothy smile. The Chiefs defensive coordinator covered the path through the locker room in 10 seconds, maybe 15, all of it through the corner of the space where his players sat. They smiled back. The job had been done. —Sam Mellinger on the debut of “Coach Spags” and the new KC defense
Week 2
Chiefs 28, Raiders 10: Black Hole conquered
Date: Sept. 15, 2019
Record: 2-0
Storyline: The Chiefs make their final trip to Oakland’s Coliseum (the Raiders are moving to Las Vegas now) and rough up the Silver and Black.
The star: Patrick Mahomes could be this person every week, but let’s recognize Robinson, who entered the game with four career touchdowns. He had two in the second quarter. — Blair Kerkhoff
The Chiefs said this: “Any week can be a big week for any one of us. We don’t go out thinking it’s Mecole’s week or Sammy’s week or my week or Kelce’s week. It could be anyone.” — WR Demarcus Robinson, who caught six balls for 172 yards and two of Patrick Mahomes four TD passes
We said this: By the time the second quarter was over, Mahomes had thrown for 278 yards (the second-most in that quarter in NFL history) and four touchdowns ... By the end of the day, he had thrown for 443 yards, leaving him the first player in league history to have thrown for more than 800 yards in his first two games without any interceptions. — Vahe Gregorian
Week 3
Chiefs 33, Ravens 28: MVP bests likely successor
Date: Sept. 22, 2019
Record: 3-0
Storyline: The Chiefs came out winners against presumptive league MVP Lamar Jackson … without their best receiver, starting running back and left tackle.
The star: We can no longer avoid Mahomes. He’s come up big every game, and this week, he gets the call as our Star after completing 27 of 37 passes for 374 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. So confident are the Chiefs in Mahomes that they called a pass play on third and long in the final minute to clinch the game. — Blair Kerkhoff
The Chiefs said this: “It’s like you’re playing Madden with those guys. Fourth and 12, they’re going for it.” — DT Chris Jones on the Ravens’ go-for-broke approach
We said this: In a lot of ways, the ability of Mahomes and coach Andy Reid and everyone else to keep the offense operating like a spaceship is the most impressive part of these first three games, and the most encouraging in the long term. — Sam Mellinger
Week 4
Chiefs 34, Lions 30: Hello, Mahomes Magic
Date: Sept. 29, 2019
Record: 4-0
Storyline: Patrick Mahomes marched the Chiefs 79 yards in 2 minutes, 6 seconds as time grew short. Darrel Williams’ rushing TD with 23 seconds left sealed it.
The star: Plenty of big moments and standouts for the Chiefs. … But let’s make Bashaud Breeland the game’s star for his alert play on the fumble recovery and 100-yard return in the third quarter. Biggest play for the defense this season. — Blair Kerkhoff
The Chiefs said this: “We’re undefeated! Y’all, I haven’t been undefeated in ... man, I don’t even know.” — Veteran newcomer RB Lesean McCoy
We said this: The Chiefs screwed a hundred things up Sunday in Detroit, and that’s probably conservative. … And here they are anyway, celebrating a 34-30 win over the previously unbeaten Lions after the first game-winning, come-from-behind, last-minute touchdown drive of Mahomes’ career. — Sam Mellinger
Week 5
Colts 19, Chiefs 13: Murphy’s Law strikes
Date: Oct. 6, 2019
Record: 4-1
Storyline: The Colts pulled off a Sunday night stunner, handing the Chiefs their first loss of the season with tough defense and relentless rushing.
The star: Safety Tyrann Mathieu came up with his biggest play in a Chiefs uniform with a second-quarter interception that ended a scoring drive. He also chipped in a tackle for loss for 8 yards that forced the Colts to settle for a field goal. It wasn’t a great day for any member of the Chiefs, but Mathieu had a couple of nice moments. — Blair Kerkhoff
The Chiefs said this: “We got beat in about every phase you can get beat in this evening. That’s my responsibility: to take care of business.” — Chiefs coach Andy Reid
We said this: Here’s a scene that will stick: Justin Houston, unblocked, stuffing a fourth and 1 run and then shouting what must’ve been a low-pitched howl directly at the Chiefs’ sideline. — Sam Mellinger
Week 6
Texans 31, Chiefs 24: Bulls on parade
Date: Oct. 13, 2019
Record: 4-2
Storyline: In a battle billed as dueling QB stars from the 2017 draft, the Texans finished with a near 2-to-1 edge in time of possession. Brutal.
The star: Tyreek Hill began making up for lost time. After missing the last four games with a sternoclavicular joint injury in his shoulder … his 46-yard touchdown reception ended the Chiefs’ first drive. His 6-yard touchdown catch opened the second-half scoring. — Blair Kerkhoff
The Chiefs said this: “Some running backs are more well-known than others, but we’re just making everybody look awesome.” — DE Frank Clark, after the KC defense gave up 116 yards rushing to Houston’s Carlos Hyde, a one-time, albeit very brief, Chief
We said this: The Chiefs’ issues on both sides of the football run deeper than just the absence of a consistent running game, but evening out their time of possession disparity wouldn’t hurt. — Herbie Teope
Week 7
Chiefs 30, Broncos 6: Not the knee!
Date: Oct. 17, 2019
Record: 5-2
Storyline: Mahomes gave KC fans a collective heart attack when he dislocated his kneecap on a keeper. The Chiefs’ defense sacked Joe Flacco eight times.
The star: Linebacker Anthony Hitchens had his best game in a Chiefs uniform. He came up with two sacks and forced the fumble that was recovered by Reggie Ragland for a scoop and score. The entire defense could get a game ball for their response to recent failings. — Blair Kerkhoff
The Chiefs said this: “Awesome team win! Love my brothers! Thank you for all the prayers! Everything looking good so far!” —Mahomes, via social media
We said this: Mahomes’ injury, well, it sucks. He is a joy to watch, a generational talent who stretches the boundaries of possibilities for quarterbacks. … Without him, the Chiefs and football are both worse off. But the season isn’t over. — Sam Mellinger
Week 8
Packers 31, Chiefs 24: Arrowhead mystique shaken
Date: Oct. 27, 2019
Record: 5-3
Storyline: This one was right there for the Chiefs. Instead, they dropped their third straight at home, losing to Aaron Rodgers and the Pack.
The star: Not much else could have been expected from substitute Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Moore … The post-training camp signee saw his first action since 2017 … and performed well again Sunday, completing 24 of 36 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns. — Blair Kerkhoff
The Chiefs said this: “Listen, he’s a future Hall of Famer with a couple Hall of Fame throws. I don’t know how a couple of those got in there … the son of a gun got them in there.” — Chiefs coach Andy Reid, on Rodgers
We said this: Chiefs fans all over the region were relegated to muttering their own words, one way or another cursing a decision that kept the team from getting a last chance when coach Andy Reid opted to punt on fourth and 3 from his team’s own 40 with 5 minutes, 13 seconds left. — Vahe Gregorian
Week 9
Chiefs 26, Vikings 23: Buttkicker for the win
Date: Nov. 3, 2019
Record: 6-3
Storyline: QB Matt Moore started in relief of injured Mahomes. KC overcame a late fumble and Harrison Butker kicked the game-winner as time expired.
The star: Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill came up with a couple of fantastic grabs, but his most athletic play may have been his escort of Damien Williams on the latter’s team-record-tying 91-yard touchdown run. Hill had five receptions for 127 yards and a 40-yard touchdown. — Blair Kerkhoff
The Chiefs said this: “The emotions were all over the place today, but to see the team win at home, see the guys rally, everybody really ... A total team win in all three phases.” — Moore
We said this: With balletic body control, the springs to go up and the grit to go into traffic, Hill offers a rare and seemingly boundless blend of skills. And this game was a microcosm of all he means to the Chiefs, who were different without him for four full games after he suffered a shoulder injury in their season opener... — Vahe Gregorian
Week 10
Titans 35, Chiefs 32: Special-teams stinkbomb
Date: Nov. 10, 2019
Record: 6-4
Storyline: In a prelude to the AFC Championship Game, special-teams miscues proved the Chiefs’ undoing in Mahomes’ return from injury.
The star: Who else? That jump-pass to Mecole Hardman alone might have given it to Patrick Mahomes. But in his first game back from a dislocated kneecap after missing 21/2 weeks, Mahomes was terrific nearly wire to wire. — Blair Kerkhoff
The Chiefs said this: “Our (offense) is coming on the field to close it out; you’re giving the ball to Pat Mahomes with (less than 2 minutes) to go? Ninety-nine percent of the time, that’s a ‘W.’” — DE Frank Clark
We said this: This is the moment the season was supposed to start taking off, because Mahomes is healthy and the schedule now lightens. Instead, the Chiefs face a crisis of their own creation. — Sam Mellinger
Week 11
Chiefs 24, Chargers 17: Cry us a Rivers
Date: Nov. 18, 2019
Record: 7-4
Storyline: An AFC West rivalry south of the border as the Chiefs’ defense continued to burnish its new-and-improved rep under Spags in Mexico.
The star: Frank Clark came up with three big defensive plays that showed off his pass-rushing skills. … If he’s close to 100 percent, he can be the difference-making defensive end the Chiefs envisioned when he was signed to a $105 million contract. — Blair Kerkhoff
The Chiefs said this: “No disrespect to him, but we as a defense have got to carry our load. So, when it came down to it, we were able to do it.” — DT Derrick Nnadi on the defense picking up Mahomes, who threw for a season-low 185 yards
We said this: The Chiefs’ defense won a game, and when’s the last time that happened? But the moment that made me write this column came when someone asked Chiefs receiver Sammy Watkins if the Chiefs will win the Super Bowl. ‘Oh yes,’ he said. ‘I believe we will win the Super Bowl.’ — Sam Mellinger
Week 12: bye week
Week 13
Chiefs 40, Raiders 9: More AFC supremacy
Date: Dec. 1, 2019
Record: 8-4
Storyline: The Chiefs made life miserable for Oakland QB Derek Carr, picking him off twice and returning one for a score to complete a season sweep.
The star: Juan Thornhill. The Chiefs’ defense had an excellent day, and no one was better than the rookie safety from Virginia. Thornhill returned an interception for a 46-yard touchdown and came up with a big fourth-down tackle in space. — Blair Kerkhoff
The Chiefs said this: “We’ve been in every type of football game, it seems like now. ... I feel like today it was about the defense — let the defense eat and us taking the opportunity to score when we can.” — Mahomes after going 15 of 29 for 175 yards
We said this: In a game that (coach Andy) Reid called ‘a pure team win,’ the Chiefs had a penalty-free performance … for just the third time in franchise history and first since 1974. — Vahe Gregorian
Week 14
Chiefs 23, Patriots 16: Down goes Brady
Date: Dec. 8, 2019
Record: 9-4
Storyline: In one of the most highly anticipated games of the season, the Chiefs served notice the Pats aren’t the bad boys of the block anymore.
The star: Bashaud Breeland. He had perfect coverage on the pass breakup in the end zone on Julian Edelman on the Patriots’ final snap, getting his hand on the ball without making much body contact. — Blair Kerkhoff
The Chiefs said this: “They have the greatest head coach in the modern era and greatest quarterback in the modern era, so I think there’s a good chance we’ll see them again ... and we’ll give them the respect they deserve.” — Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt
We said this: The Chiefs just beat the Patriots. But the Chiefs also live in a world where that is suddenly not enough. The Super Bowl is a moving target. — Sam Mellinger
Week 15
Chiefs 23, Broncos 3: Snow angels everywhere
Date: Dec. 15, 2019
Record: 10-4
Storyline: Denver’s rookie QB, former Lee’s Summit and Mizzou star Drew Lock, found tough sledding in his KC homecoming.
The star: Mahomes gets the nod. He spoke about remaining in the pocket longer, and that happened. … He threw for 340 yards and a pair of touchdown passes to Tyreek Hill. It was Mahomes’ first multiple-passing touchdown game since a loss at Tennessee on Nov. 10. — Blair Kerkhoff
The Chiefs said this: “It was awesome. It was a lot of fun. I mean, you saw the guys, and they were embracing it.” — Mahomes, after quite possibly the snowiest game ever at Arrowhead
We said this: If (Mahomes) wasn’t perfect he was damn close. If this is the beginning of the Chiefs’ offense finding its 2018 mojo, playoff seeding might not matter very much. — Sam Mellinger
Week 16
Chiefs 26, Bears 3: Master bests student
Date: Dec. 22, 2019
Record: 11-4
Storyline: Another prime-time game, and the Chiefs were up to the challenge at Soldier Field against former Reid disciple Matt Nagy.
The star: Safety Tyrann Mathieu believed he should’ve been selected to play in the Pro Bowl. He proved why on Sunday. … He nearly had an interception in the first quarter and had five tackles by halftime. He finished with six. — Blair Kerkhoff
The Chiefs said this: “I think the thing I’m most proud of is the job we did in the red zone. We came off a game that we were just OK and yet we were able to put it in down there.” — Chiefs coach Andy Reid
We said this: In a game broadcast to a national television audience, the Kansas City Chiefs made sure the country knew the Chicago Bears aren’t in their class at the moment. The Chiefs essentially had their way in all three phases of the game... — Herbie Teope
Week 17
Chiefs 31, Chargers 21: Hail to the Dolphins
Date: Dec. 29, 2019
Record: 12-4
Storyline: The Chiefs did their part. The Dolphins did, too, upsetting New England to cement a No. 2 AFC playoff see for KC.
The star: Mecole Hardman. The Chiefs had just delivered their worst sequence of the game, a Patrick Mahomes interception that led to a Chargers go-ahead touchdown, when Hardman returned the ensuing kickoff 104 yards for a touchdown. — Blair Kerkhoff
The Chiefs said this: “It lit that fire and it just got crazy after that. We know they came to play with us, so we came with it.” — rookie RB Darwin Thompson on Hardman’s long TD return
We said this: There is more togetherness and general confidence around the team now than a year ago, and that’s directly tied to the defense’s improvement, even as the offense has not matched last year’s wild production. The Chiefs enter the playoffs as a legitimate Super Bowl contender… — Sam Mellinger
AFC playoffs, Wild Card Round: bye
AFC playoffs, Divisional Round: Chiefs 51, Texans 31
Rally for the ages
Date: Jan. 12, 2020
Record: 13-4
The star: It could easily be tight end Travis Kelce, who had the best playoff game of his career. Or safety Daniel Sorensen ... But a quarterback (Mahomes) who throws five touchdowns in a playoff game, including matching an NFL record four in one quarter, gets the nod. — Blair Kerkhoff
The Chiefs said this: “Having those fans that are loud and giving us passion, that momentum, the whole thing, you feel that as a team. … We were going to fight until the end.” — QB Patrick Mahomes
We said this: Let this be remembered as the day Mahomes and the Chiefs saw those ghosts, felt those ghosts, and then stepped through those ghosts... — Sam Mellinger
AFC Championship Game: Chiefs 35, Titans 24
Conference champs
Date: Jan. 19, 2020
Record: 14-4
Storyline: Again the Chiefs fell behind. Again they stormed back. An incredible TD run by Mahomes started the rally. Raising a coveted trophy completed it.
The star: In the biggest game of his short NFL career, Patrick Mahomes could hardly have been better. Three touchdown passes, a dazzling 27-yard touchdown run, calm in the face of another deficit ... Mahomes did it all. — Blair Kerkhoff
The Chiefs said this: “I’ll tell you what. I’ve learned one thing since I’ve been here. … You gotta fight! … for your right!” … to paaaaaaartaaaaayyy!” — TE Travis Kelce onstage during the Lamar Hunt Trophy presentation
We said this: Much like you can’t know light without the darkness, the ecstasy without the agony, there is a certain joy you can only know after trudging through a void for an eternity … and at last emerging into a promised land whose very existence had become downright suspect. — Vahe Gregorian
This story was originally published January 26, 2020 at 5:00 AM.