The Kansas City Chiefs secure their fourth AFC title in the past five years.

January 28, 2024

The Kansas City Chiefs secure their fourth AFC title in the past five years.

The Kansas City Chiefs, who appeared more vulnerable than in any season since Patrick Mahomes became their starting quarterback in 2018, have secured a spot in the Super Bowl.

They defeated the Baltimore Ravens 17-10, marking their fourth Super Bowl appearance in the last five years.

After winning Super Bowl LVIII against the Philadelphia Eagles last season, the Chiefs aim to become the first team to repeat as champions since the 2004 New England Patriots.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who completed 30 of 39 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown, emphasized the significance of the accomplishment while acknowledging the need to prepare for the upcoming Super Bowl against a formidable opponent.

The decisive play was a 32-yard pass from Mahomes to Marquez Valdes-Scantling on third-and-9 in the final minutes, securing the victory for the Chiefs. Coach Andy Reid noted that the play, executed against a zero blitz, was well-called and strategically positioned Valdes-Scantling to make the crucial play.

Tight end Travis Kelce, with 11 receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown, surpassed Jerry Rice's record of 151 career playoff receptions during the game.

Despite finishing the regular season with an 11-6 record, the Chiefs experienced more losses than in any season with Mahomes as their starting quarterback. Notably, they had a few lackluster performances, including a Week 16 home loss to Las Vegas where the Raiders scored both touchdowns on defense from Chiefs turnovers in consecutive plays.

General manager Brett Veach acknowledged that the loss to the Raiders served as a wake-up call for the Chiefs, prompting them to win their final two regular-season games and three playoff games. Veach emphasized that overcoming challenges can sometimes lead to positive outcomes, and despite some issues with the offense, defense, or special teams, the team found ways to win games.

"That loss, I think, really impacted us, and it prompted the entire organization to reflect on its performance. So, I consider that game as one of the key motivating factors that helped everyone refocus."

Mahomes experienced one of the statistically challenging seasons of his career, with a QBR of 63, a yards-per-attempt average of 7.0, and a career-high 14 interceptions. The team faced issues, such as leading the league in dropped passes and ranking second in offensive penalties. Despite being one of the highest-scoring teams in recent years, the Chiefs finished 15th in scoring during the season, averaging 21.8 points per game.

However, in the three playoff games, Mahomes delivered with five touchdowns and zero interceptions. Following a victory against the Miami Dolphins at Arrowhead Stadium in the wild-card round, the Chiefs faced their first postseason road game in Mahomes' career, meeting the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round. Despite being underdogs, the Chiefs emerged victorious with a 27-24 win over the Bills.

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The Kansas City Chiefs secure their fourth AFC title in the past five years.

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