AP Premier: Good morning to the No. 1 seeded Chiefs

What’s Arrowhead Satisfaction Premier? Arrowhead Satisfaction Premier is our tri-weekly publication, one that gives evaluation and unique insights instantly from Arrowhead Stadium, delivered straight to your inbox. Beneath is a preview of the most recent version.

Good morning to the 15-1 Chiefs

BY PETE SWEENEY

The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs started constructing their dynasty with the passing of the torch to quarterback Patrick Mahomes in 2018 – and in that span of seven seasons, I’m unsure I can bear in mind a extra distinctive 12 months than 2024.

On the floor, this actually doesn’t appear like the most effective group throughout that stretch. However, then once more, no Chiefs group has ever reached 15 wins – that’s, till Sunday.

With their dominant 29-10 Christmas Day victory on the street towards the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Chiefs get up on Thursday with greater than three weeks to relaxation, sans a Week 18 matchup towards the Denver Broncos during which the group will undoubtedly area a band of reserves.

Head coach Andy Reid hardly ever shows his lighthearted persona publicly, however we have now lined him lengthy sufficient to realize it exists in a giant approach away from the cameras. On Sunday after the sport, Reid entered the locker room dressed as Santa Claus, who fittingly embodies the present he’s given Kansas Metropolis.

In a 12 months during which accidents to vital gamers have decimated the membership, he has the group proper again the place they’ve been at the moment of 12 months because the dynasty started.

And now, we wait.

Within the meantime, right here’s what’s on my thoughts popping out of the sport:

I believe the timing of Hollywood Brown’s return couldn’t have been time higher.

It took him some time to get again from his preseason harm, however the silver lining there’s that I believe you’ll be able to inform he appears more energizing than his friends on the soccer area.

“Man, I was watching him in practice when he first got back,” stated tight finish Travis Kelce after the sport. “I used to be like, ‘That’s it! That’s the man! We’ve missed that man!

“It’s just been fun having him; his energy’s up. He’s a guy that fuels you throughout the week, and he’s a swag champ, man. He’s one of those guys [where] you can feel his presence when you’re out there on the field with him.”

A key level of the sport was Brown’s catch with the sport nonetheless in hand late within the third quarter. The Steelers acquired the Chiefs to second-and-14 in their very own territory, and the group noise was palpable. Brown caught a fast slant and ran for the primary down.

After that play, the Pittsburgh crowd was successfully silenced.

Brown’s return has coincided with the obvious breakout of rookie Xavier Worthy, as Worthy matched Kelce with a team-leading eight catches throughout his 79-yard effort.

“We built up to the perfect spot,” stated quarterback Patrick Mahomes. “Earlier than Hollywood acquired right here, Xavier began enjoying higher, being extra assured. I acquired a greater chemistry with him. Different guys stepped up and began making performs, and it’s such as you throw Hollywood in there, and it form of units everybody completely of their roles.

“You saw that [Wednesday]. We spread the ball around really well, and guys made plays. When you have that many weapons out there, it’s hard for defenses to account for – and Hollywood’s made a huge impact on this offense.”

What else is on this version?

Pete has two extra ideas on the Chiefs’ Week 17 win over the Steelers.
Jared Sapp gathers feedback on a key sequence of the sport — the pressured fumble that led to factors.
In his first have a look at the movie, Ron Kopp evaluates how rookie Xavier Worthy’s breakout is impacting the offense.

Editors Present preview

Here’s a clip from final week’s Editors Present that includes Pete Sweeney and John Dixon.

AP Premier subscribers obtain a hyperlink of their Tuesday publication to your entire hour-long video podcast.

What else is included in a subscription?

You’ll be able to anticipate 3 weekly newsletters throughout the season. Along with our Thursday preview publication…

Brandon Kiley is Arrowhead Satisfaction Premier’s Tuesday columnist — and he gives a deeper thought on the group each week.
In our preview publication on Thursdays, Pete shares his three ideas heading into the sport, Rocky Magaña highlights a pivotal matchup to observe — and John Dixon shares some background on one of many upcoming sport’s largest storylines.

How to join Arrowhead Satisfaction Premier

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