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How the Kansas City Chiefs Dominated the AFC in the 2025 NFL Playoffs | SI.com
Ever since Mahomes took over the starting job in Kansas City back in 2018, the Chiefs have made it clear that they are the team to beat. Going to their third consecutive Super Bowl, the Chiefs have somehow perfected a winning formula in the NFL, one that doesn’t seem it’s going to be solved anytime soon.
Coming into the Playoffs with a first-round bye after going 15-2 in the regular season, Chiefs fans were confident going into the Divisional Round against the Houston Texans.
Houston had just blown out the Jim Harbaugh led Los Angeles Chargers 32-12 in the Wildcard Round a week prior. Although the Texans carried much momentum with them into their game at Arrowhead, they soon learned what the duo of Head Coach Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes can do with two weeks of rest.
Led by the trio of Mahomes, Kelce, and Kareem Hunt, the Chiefs bulldozed their way through the Texans, taking the lead in the first quarter and not relinquishing it until the final whistle blew with a final score of 23-14.
Not the same old Chiefs: Kansas City learned to love living on edge in Super Bowl run | USA Today
It was so fitting that in order for the Kansas City Chiefs to advance to Super Bowl 59 and seize the chance to make a special kind of history, they had to sweat it out at crunch time in the AFC title game. Been that way all season.
It’s the unmistakable M.O. of these Chiefs: Be clutch – or even blessed, fortunate, lucky, opportunistic, poised, resilient – when it matters most.
“For us to go through the season and win the games the way that we won them, I’m proud of the team,” Patrick Mahomes said, after the Chiefs became the first back-to-back champion to advance to a third consecutive Super Bowl. “We’re not to the ultimate goal yet. It’s going to be a great challenge for us with Philadelphia.”
2025 All-AFC playoff team: Patrick Mahomes, Derrick Henry headline top postseason performers | CBS Sports
To the victors go the spoils, which is something the Kansas City Chiefs know very well these days. It didn’t take long for the AFC to adopt another dynasty following the Tom Brady/Bill Belichick era in New England. In fact, Kansas City’s rise to the top began just after Brady’s Patriots won it all for the sixth and final time.
The rest of the AFC may not like it, but the fact is that the Chiefs are the NFL’s new dynasty. That was made crystal clear this postseason when Kansas City punched its third consecutive trip to the Super Bowl and fifth trip since 2019. Kansas City is now one win away from becoming the first team to win three Super Bowls in a row.
The Chiefs won their fifth AFC title in six years because of the performances of several individuals. Those players are recognized here as part of our All-AFC playoff team. And don’t worry, non-Chiefs fans, more than a few players who don’t play for the defending AFC champs made the cut, too.
Chiefs TE Travis Kelce True Character Came Out After Sunday’s Win | SI.com
“Never satisfied baby,” said Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce after Sunday’s win. “When you play in front of Arrowhead Stadium like this, every single AFC Championship. Are you kidding me? Kansas City, hey before you guys get out of here, just do a little dance, make a little love, and get down tonight.”
Kelce also gave major credit to the Bills on how hard it was for them to win on Sunday.
“That Buffalo team was as good as we ever played. A lot of great competitors over there. I got a lot of respect for those guys and they made it hard. I am very thankful that I am here in Kansas City with the guys and then everybody involved in this building. It is a special, special place and we feel that every single day and we just try to take advantage of it and not let it slip out of our hands.”
Deebo delivers great one-liner about Chiefs’ Super Bowl return | Yahoo Sports
Deebo Samuel might be a little bit sick of seeing the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl — even when the 49ers aren’t playing against them.
With Patrick Mahomes and Co. seeking a three-peat in Super Bowl LIX against the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco’s star wide receiver didn’t mince words about Kansas City after losing to them on the NFL’s biggest stage in 2020 and 2024.
“They beat me twice, so I got all the reason to hate,” Samuel responded on his “Cleats & Convos” podcast after Chicago Bears wideout Rome Odunze said he’s beyond hating Kansas City due to their undeniable success.
Around the NFL
Five QBs who need fresh starts in 2025: Aaron Rodgers-Jets split best for everyone | NFL.com
Aaron Rodgers
New York Jets · Age: 41
I’ve spent plenty of digital space documenting Rodgers’ consideration of his uncertain future, including Rodgers offering to mentor the Jets’ next quarterback while also admitting that would rely almost solely on whether the Jets still want him. I’ll make the decision for New York’s new regime of GM Darren Mougey and coach Aaron Glenn: Rip the bandage off now and move forward without Rodgers. It was a nice try, but their partnership ultimately didn’t work out, which is fine. A fresh start is necessary for everyone, and if Rodgers still wants to play, he’ll likely find at least some interest from a few teams who could use a short-term bridge.
Bill Belichick suggests Super Bowl trophy be named after Tom Brady | ESPN
The Super Bowl trophy is named after Vince Lombardi, the legendary Green Bay Packers coach who led his team to wins in the first two Super Bowls.
However, Bill Belichick said coaches can’t win games without the players and suggested the Lombardi Trophy be renamed after Tom Brady, who won an NFL-record seven Super Bowl rings in his career — six with Belichick as his head coach.
Greg Olsen on demotion from Fox’s top NFL announcing team: ‘I’m going to call big-time games again’ | Yahoo Sports
The last time the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles met in the Super Bowl, former NFL tight end Greg Olsen was calling the game with Kevin Burkhardt as part of Fox’s No. 1 announcing team.
Two years later, with the same two teams meeting in Super Bowl LIX and Fox airing the game, Olsen will be watching from home after being replaced by Tom Brady, despite drawing rave reviews as a lead analyst.
While it may be a shuffling of the pecking order at Fox, Olsen sees this as a temporary demotion.
“In my mind, I’m going to call big-time games again,” Olsen told the Charlotte Observer’s Scott Fowler this week. “I’m going to call Super Bowl games again. I just don’t know the timeline or the venue.”
In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride
Overcoming injuries was a part of the Chiefs’ journey in 2024
The preseason couldn’t have gotten off to a worse start for the Chiefs. On the very first play from scrimmage, Brown was injured after a catch and tackle in which he landed directly on his shoulder. The tackle resulted in a sternoclavicular joint dislocation. Initially considered to be a short-term injury similar to the injury to former Chief wide receiver Tyreek Hill, the injury ultimately resulted in Brown missing the majority of the regular season.
He returned in Week 16 after surgery in September to repair and stabilize the dislocated joint. Since returning from injury, he’s provided a notable boost to the offense and a much-needed deep threat for quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Brown was targeted seven times in the AFC Championship, and he figures to be a huge piece of the offensive puzzle in the Super Bowl.
