5 issues we realized from the Chiefs taking good care of enterprise towards the Texans

The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs got here into Saturday’s Divisional spherical recreation on GEHA Area at Arrowhead Stadium with only one purpose in thoughts: to defeat the Houston Texans and advance to their seventh straight AFC Championship.

That’s precisely what they did. They managed the sport from the opening kickoff to the ultimate whistle. Saturday’s 23-14 victory offered convincing proof that within the postseason, expertise and composure are simply as vital as expertise.

Affected by a number of self-inflicted wounds, the Texans watched their playoff hopes bleed away. With slightly below two minutes remaining, the Chiefs watched the sunshine exit of their eyes as they blocked the Texans’ last-ditch field-goal try.

Listed here are 5 issues we realized as Kansas Metropolis continued its quest for glory.

1. Protection Particular groups win championships

Picture by David Eulitt/Getty Pictures

Particular groups coordinator Dave Toub’s unit set the tempo for this recreation, beginning with Nikko Remigio’s 63-yard return of the opening kickoff. That arrange the Chiefs’ first subject purpose, establishing a lead the staff would by no means relinquish.

The play put the Texans in a stress cooker, forcing them to maintain tempo with Kansas Metropolis. It created a claustrophobic environment wherein the visiting staff couldn’t function successfully.

Then within the ultimate two minutes, the unit did simply what it had finished towards the Denver Broncos in Week 10. As Houston lined up for a last-ditch subject purpose try, security Justin Reid flew off the road to draw the eye of the Texans’ blockers, opening the way in which for linebacker Leo Chenal to dam the try.

Then with seconds remaining, punter Matt Araiza skillfully chewed up as a lot time as attainable in the long run zone, intentionally permitting a security the Chiefs might afford — relatively than opening the door for a harmful punt return.

In the meantime, placekicker Harrison Butker scored on all 5 of his kicks.

On Saturday, Toub and his unit placed on a clinic.

2. Shiny lights are for the largest stars

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In what has develop into an annual custom, Travis Kelce took his recreation to a different stage within the postseason, handing over his greatest recreation of the season as he and quarterback Patrick Mahomes did their impersonation of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, connecting within the greatest moments to maintain the Texans within the rear-view mirror.

One among them is likely to be among the finest throws in Mahomes’ illustrious profession.

Kansas Metropolis’s gamers are family names for a cause: the larger the stage — and the brighter the lights — the higher they play.

Now that Kansas Metropolis has gotten Johnny Cage out of the way in which, it may deal with its upcoming struggle towards Goro. You may guess Kelce and Mahomes can be able to take down whichever four-armed monster comes up subsequent.

3. The cross rush could possibly be a sleeping large

Picture by David Eulitt/Getty Pictures

You may say that Houston’s offensive line is horrible — and perhaps it’s — however I’m not taking away any of the Chiefs’ flowers on this one: the line of defense deserves monumental credit score for what it did within the trenches.

Defensive finish George Karlaftis collected three sacks. It was his greatest postseason efficiency. He’s now recorded seven sacks and 12 quarterback hits in eight playoff video games.

Extrapolating these numbers over a complete season, that’s at nearly 15 sacks and 26 quarterback hits — which isn’t too shabby by any commonplace. Chris Jones, Charles Omenihu and Tershawn Wharton additionally registered sacks. Heck, even Felix Anudike-Uzomah notched one!

This unit confirmed it may take over video games.

4. Don’t hate the participant, hate the sport

Denny Medley-Imagn Pictures

On social media, many outraged people are claiming NFL officers rescued the Chiefs but once more, enabling the evil Kansas Metropolis empire to march ahead, persevering with to put waste to the villages of the league’s harmless victims.

Houston defensive finish Will Anderson Jr. turned it as much as 11.

Let’s not be overly dramatic, Mr. Anderson.

The referees didn’t rob the Texans of something. The primary quarter’s roughing-the-passer flag towards Anderson (and the third-quarter unsportsmanlike conduct name towards Henry To’oTo’o after Mahomes had begun his slide) had been each penalties underneath the principles.

On the primary, the ball was already out — however Anderson continued ahead to hit Mahomes within the head space. It doesn’t should be helmet-to-helmet for it to be a penalty.

On the late hit, Mahomes had already begun his slide. The defender led along with his helmet. That’s additionally a penalty.

When you assume the calls had been smooth… high-quality. You may argue they had been borderline — however they had been removed from egregious. They definitely weren’t a part of some conspiracy to assist the Chiefs win.

When you assume the principles are incorrect… high-quality. However the guidelines are the principles. If there are loopholes — or methods to make use of them to your benefit — then each participant (and staff) ought to do precisely that till the league decides to alter them. It’s no totally different than a participant drawing a cost in basketball — or baseball groups using a shift earlier than that was outlawed.

No one makes use of the principles to his profit higher than Mahomes does. Personally, I relish the outrage it causes others.

Why not lean into our villainy? Let’s have some enjoyable with it!

5. Stage 2 of the Chiefs’ mission is completed

Picture by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Put up

Was this the flashiest win in Chiefs historical past?

Nope.

Did it should be?

Nope.

Kansas Metropolis was on the market like Bachman-Turner Overdrive: taking good care of enterprise, daily and in each approach — and if obligatory, in additional time. In consequence, the Chiefs are transferring on to play of their seventh-straight AFC Championship.

Three Two extra wins till immortality.