How the Chiefs can use past Super Bowl experiences to their advantage against Philly
The Chiefs’ recent Super Bowl experience they’d rather not remember is one they shouldn’t forget.
But perhaps the memory of their Super Bowl loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers two years ago can serve them well as they prepare to meet the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
This can be true from both a never-want-to-feel-that-way-again standpoint and as a general reminder that early mistakes can be perilous.
“We had a lot of challenges early on,” Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said. “I don’t think I handled it best as a leader in terms of stepping up to the plate and helping control the mindset, making a big-time play to spark some energy, to spark that momentum.”
Few played that role in the Chiefs’ 31-9 loss on the Bucs’ home field in February 2021. That game is one of just two in Patrick Mahomes’ five-year career as a starter in which the Chiefs never reached the end zone.
There were opportunities. Catchable passes to Tyreek Hill in the first quarter and Darrel Williams in the fourth — at the goal line — were dropped.
And Kelce had a big drop of his own, failing to corral a pass on third down that would’ve kept alive a Chiefs drive. The Bucs’ next possession ended with a touchdown and double-digit Tampa lead.
The Chiefs didn’t bounce back immediately, falling the next season in the AFC Championship Game. But those who played in that Super Bowl loss to Tom Brady and the Bucs will carry those scars onto the field against Philly.
“I think this team is more appreciative of being here more than when we lost,” defensive tackle Chris Jones said.
Jones talked about learning lessons from that big-game defeat. One of those lessons is evident in the Chiefs’ revamped offensive line. Just one starter from that game, in which the Chiefs were flat-out dominated by Tampa Bay, is expected to start on Sunday: right tackle Andrew Wylie.
The Chiefs retooled their O-line nearly entirely with a group that’s now finishing up its second year together as starters: tackles Orlando Brown Jr. and Wylie, guards Joe Thuney and Trey Smith and center Creed Humphrey.
A year before falling at Tampa, the Chiefs captured their first Super Bowl title in 50 years by beating the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV at Miami.
But to Jones, the pain of his team’s 2021 loss to the Bucs was greater than the joy of that 2020 victory over the Niners.
“The loss felt worse,” Jones said. “Sometimes in life it’s not your day. That’s OK. You take a sucker-punch right on the chin but you keep your head up.
“But that’s the thing about life. It comes full circle.”
The Chiefs lost to the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2021 AFC title game and defeated them this year. The Chiefs had a miserable Super Bowl experience the last time they were on the NFL’s biggest stage, so maybe things turn out much differently this time around
“I’m appreciative for this journey,” Jones said, “and I’m appreciative of what it takes to get here.”
Kelce almost shivered when asked about the previous Super Bowl.
“I don’t like to revisit that one,” Kelce said. “But it’s good wisdom to have. I’m focusing on myself being the best leader I can be, the best teammate I can be on game day.
“I want to put my team in position better than I did last time at the Super Bowl.”