In stark distinction to final yr’s Christmas Day efficiency, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs celebrated this vacation season in type with a commanding 29-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday afternoon. The win moved them to 15-1, clinching the AFC’s prime postseason seed with the coveted first-round bye — and homefield benefit all through the playoffs.
Kansas Metropolis quarterback Patrick Mahomes believes that in a brutal schedule — three video games in 11 days — his teammates have proven their mettle.
“It confirmed the toughness of this staff,” Mahomes instructed reporters after the sport. “I feel we acquired higher because the video games went on. The blokes? They’re mentally powerful they usually’re bodily powerful. We performed some actually good soccer groups. [There were] some hard-fought battles and the blokes got here away with three wins.
“So once more, that No. 1 seed is necessary. It’s like successful a playoff sport. So I used to be joyful to get that performed.”
The Chiefs delivered what was arguably their finest efficiency of the season. Mahomes placed on a showcase, mixing a gradual weight loss program of routine completions with the aggressive spotlight performs that made him the NFL’s finest quarterback. He completed the sport with 320 yards and three touchdowns, whereas spreading the ball to eight completely different receivers.
Plainly the Kansas Metropolis offense is as soon as once more peaking at simply the appropriate time.
“We really feel like we are able to proceed to get higher and higher,” noticed Mahomes. “Clearly, we’re taking part in — particularly offensively — our greatest soccer on the finish of the yr. [We’re] getting guys wholesome — [and] we’re excited for it.
“We’re going to maintain working, [because] this isn’t the tip. That is just the start.”
Head coach Andy Reid believes claiming the first-round bye earlier than the season’s finish is a major benefit. Whereas he hasn’t finalized who will play in Week 18’s regular-season finale in opposition to the Denver Broncos in Colorado, he acknowledges the worth of giving some gamers much-needed time to get better from a really demanding schedule.
“It’ll undoubtedly assist with a number of the guys which might be banged-up,” mentioned Reid. “simply to get guys again and clean up slightly bit. I feel will probably be a constructive for us.”
However Reid additionally desires to take care of his staff’s momentum throughout all three phases. Whereas securing the highest seed is a noteworthy achievement, the coach desires to stay centered on the staff’s final aim: a 3rd straight Tremendous Bowl victory.
“The necessary factor is that we proceed that,” insisted Reid. “Then we maintain getting higher. [We don’t] not flatten off [or] go backwards. [We] maintain climbing on that.”
