It’s been an odd season for the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, with 11 video games determined by one rating.
Video games determined by a toe out of bounds, a blocked area purpose on the final play and a fumbled center-quarterback snap trade within the ultimate minutes — to call a couple of.
Three totally different kickers kicked a game-winning area purpose, tying an NFL document.
A revolving door at left sort out all through the season resulted in left guard Joe Thuney transferring out to the place, giving the offensive line essentially the most stability they’ve had all season.
The workforce performed each day of the week aside from Tuesday.
The Chiefs have been decimated by accidents. They misplaced their beginning operating again, prime two broad receivers and No. 2 cornerback for a portion of the season. This resulted within the membership instituting a reunion tour of types. They introduced again acquainted faces, together with operating again Kareem Hunt, broad receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and cornerback Steven Nelson.
The Chiefs’ offense has not lived as much as their preseason hype. They rank thirteenth in yards per sport (342) and are averaging 24 factors per sport — solely scoring greater than 30 twice this season.
They’ve been doubted (and proceed to be) by the nationwide media and even their native fan base all through your entire season.
And regardless of all this adversity, the Chiefs have clinched the highest seed within the AFC with every week to go. The 2024 Chiefs have grow to be the winningest workforce in franchise historical past with a 15-1 (.938) document. The workforce has by no means accomplished a season with greater than 14 wins, a feat they final achieved in 2022.
With workforce success has come private accolades as nicely.
Picture by Justin Ok. Aller/Getty Photographs
Tight finish Travis Kelce — one of many gamers most doubted by the media this season, set a franchise document for landing receptions final week. He surpassed Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer Tony Gonzalez, paying homage to the previous Chief together with his signature landing celebration. He additionally caught his 1,000th regular-season reception — changing into solely the third tight finish to take action and good for thirteenth all-time within the document books.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes additionally set the workforce document for passing yards and touchdowns this season, surpassing the late nice Len Dawson. Mahomes achieved this in solely his seventh season because the Chiefs’ starter.
Wanting forward
The Chiefs are having fun with a restful weekend after finishing a brutal three-game stretch that included touring twice and taking part in three video games in 11 days. Nonetheless, the time for retrospection will quickly be over as they flip their consideration to January.
With the one seed locked up, the Chiefs will seemingly relaxation their starters in Week 18 towards the Denver Broncos. The Chiefs’ bye week was in Week 6, in mid-October. It’s been an extended and troublesome journey for them to get so far. Securing the bye week and extra relaxation time is essential for gamers like defensive sort out Chris Jones, who’s coping with a calf pressure that stored him out of Week 17.
By resting their starters, the workforce may have a full three weeks of relaxation earlier than their postseason journey begins within the AFC Divisional spherical of the playoffs. The AFC playoffs will undergo Arrowhead Stadium, and the workforce ought to be refreshed and prepared for whoever the opponent is.
The Chiefs clearly have their intentions set on the three-peat. They’ve made many participant acquisitions and trades in the course of the common season, greater than every other season in latest reminiscence. The workforce has steadily improved and stabilized over the course of the season. Two of their greatest performances got here in Weeks 17 and 18.
This really is the golden age of Chiefs soccer. This workforce can be within the historical past books because the winningest membership in workforce historical past, regardless of the consequence from right here. Followers ought to get pleasure from each minute of the trip, regardless of how bumpy, irritating, or laborious it has felt so far.
The very fact is, this workforce is aware of win. They’ve confirmed it. They relish the doubts and the criticisms from outsiders. They’ve mentioned this.
The 2024 Chiefs are who they’re at this level — not excellent, however harmful. They’re a workforce that no different membership within the AFC needs to face within the postseason. Issues might actually be lining up for a particular January in Kansas Metropolis.
