The red, yellow and white confetti that fell at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas was confirmation of his coronation. Once again, the Kansas City Chiefs experienced the feeling that only one team achieves in an NFL season, achieving a daunting goal that leads to an exhilarating feeling.
With their 25-22 overtime victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, the Chiefs became the NFL’s first repeat champion in two decades. The victory cemented a golden era for the franchise and its status as one of the true dynasties in the league’s 104-year history.
“It’s the beginning of one,” Patrick Mahomes insisted. “We’re not done.”
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To secure their third Lombardi Trophy in five years, the Chiefs had to overcome the worst regular season in the Andy Reid-Patrick Mahomes era, as well as the most treacherous postseason path.
The AFC’s third-place Chiefs dominated the Miami Dolphins in icy conditions, a game in which Reid coached with icicles hanging from his mustache. Then, in the first road playoff game of Mahomes’ seven-year career, the Chiefs rallied in the second half to win 27-24, and their defense held the Buffalo Bills scoreless in the fourth quarter. They reached the Super Bowl with another road victory, a 17-10 victory over league MVP Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens, who entered the postseason with the best record in the NFL.
Mahomes led the winning 75-yard drive in overtime against the 49ers, culminating with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman. The Chiefs rallied from a 10-0 deficit and got the score they needed on the final drive of the game.
Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman and quarterback Patrick Mahomes celebrate the Super Bowl-winning touchdown in overtime. (Stephen R. Sylvanie / USA Today)
Mahomes won his third Super Bowl MVP award, but make no mistake, defense was the backbone of the 2023 Chiefs.
“This is the best defense I’ve ever played with,” tight end Travis Kelce said midseason. “Honestly, they’ve been saving us in a lot of situations.”
No opponent scored 30 points on coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s unit, which allowed the fewest second-half points in the league. Defensive tackle Chris Jones and defensive end George Karlaftis led the team with 10 1/2 sacks. Spagnuolo’s defense benefited from the best seasons of several players, including cornerbacks L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie, safety Justin Reid and defensive end Charles Omenihu.
“Watching this defense all year, I’ve learned that sometimes I have to let them play, let them be the show,” Mahomes said.
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The most talented quarterback in the league, Mahomes demonstrated his leadership, creativity and acumen all season long, but he played his best when the Chiefs needed him in January and February.
“It’s hard to describe someone that good,” general manager Brett Veach said. “He is a legend. He is a blessing.”
Kelce, an 11-year veteran, also had his best moments in the postseason as he overcame nagging injuries to his knee and ankle to surpass Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice for the most postseason receptions in NFL history. .
“We have the best quarterback in the world,” Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill said. “We have the best tight end in the world. We have the best coach in the world. We have the best defensive coordinator in the world. We have the best CEO in the world.
“When you have all that? It’s just a matter of time.”
But this time the defending champions needed time to get it all done. The Chiefs stumbled to start the season, losing to the Detroit Lions in the league opener. All-Pros Kelce and Jones did not play: Kelce because of a knee injury and Jones because he was holding up. But the Chiefs lost because of eight dropped passes, the two most egregious by wide receiver Kadarius Toney. Dropped passes would be a recurring problem during the regular season, as Kansas City led the NFL with 44.
Mahomes and company won their next six games and entered their bye week with a 7-2 record after shutting down the Dolphins’ powerful offense in Frankfurt, Germany. But they lost four of their next six as the errors piled up. The low point came on Christmas Day at Arrowhead Stadium with an ugly 20-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Veach is convinced that without that Christmas Day humiliation, there is no way the Chiefs would have made it to the Super Bowl.
“Something was wrong,” Veach said. “I think that loss really affected us. “It allowed the entire organization to look in the mirror.”
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That self-evaluation on the cusp of the playoffs resulted in Reid condensing the playbook and simplifying the game plan.
Running back Isiah Pacheco ran the ball with determination, rookie Rashee Rice became the number one wide receiver and the offensive line came together at the right time. The mistakes that crippled the offense during the regular season are gone. And the Chiefs did not lose again.
“We may not be the prettiest, but we’re going to fight,” Reid said. “That’s the personality of this team.”
A team that once worried about Mahomes’ high-powered offense and improvised passing needed to change its personality this season. From the first day of training camp on July 18 to the end of overtime at the Super Bowl on February 18. On January 11, the Chiefs maintained their status as the league’s best by winning a second consecutive championship, not with speed but with courageous perseverance.
This essay is the introduction to “Undeniable: The Kansas City Chiefs’ Remarkable 2023 Championship Season,” The Athletic’s commemorative book on the Chiefs’ 2023-24 season. ask for a copy today for $16.95, plus shipping and tax. Books will be shipped the week of February. 19.
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(Photo of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce: Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images)
