Prevailing under pressures makes Super Bowl champions. Case and point: theĀ Kansas City Chiefs.
Whether itās a game-winning 51-yard field goal byĀ Harrison ButkerĀ as time expired in Week 2, a six-point overtime win in Week 9,Ā Leo ChenalĀ blocking a potential game-winning 35-yard field goal in Week 10 or defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo dialing up a timely blitz on fourth-and-5 late in the fourth quarter in theĀ AFC championship game, the Chiefs have thrived in late-game situations.
Andy Reid’s squad has been victorious in 12 one-score games this season. Furthermore, Kansas Cityās won the last 17 one-score games that theyāve played in, which is an NFL record.
āI think we had six or seven games where it was one possession. We could continue to build off that throughout the year,ā Chiefs defensive tackleĀ Chris JonesĀ said. āThese games are very familiar to us, weāre used to being in these types of situations. We feel very calm, we feel very at peace with what weāre running ā the speed of it, the pace of it ā and the play calling.ā
Patrick MahomesĀ is, of course, the Chiefsā engine. TheĀ three-time Super Bowl champion has an uncanny ability to achieve whatever is required to be victorious. His 43 rushing yards and playoff-high two rushing touchdowns in the AFC title game are a prime example. But Kansas Cityās defense routinely makes game winning plays when it matters most.
The Chiefs had a top-10 defense and was fourth in points allowed during the regular season.
Houston Texans quarterbackĀ C.J. StroudĀ was sacked eight times in the divisional round. Cornerback Trent McDuffie and safety Justin Reidās blitz on fourth-and-5 late in the fourth quarter forcedĀ Josh Allen to make a desperation throw that fell incomplete, paving the way for Kansas City to reach Super Bowl 59.
āThey have this personality where they know how to bear down,ā Chiefs head coach Reid said. āThey know when to have fun, but they also know when to bear down.ā
The Chiefsā experience and comfort in late-game situations is an advantage as the team prepares to face the Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans,Ā a rematch of Super Bowl 57.
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Itās not luck that the teamās prevailed in 17-straight one-score games. Nor is it favorable callsĀ from referees. Itās a two-time defending Super Bowl champion squad that understands how to close out games.
āItās all year, building that. Weāve worked on situations throughout the year in practice of late game situations and two-minute situations.ā Jones said. āFor us, itās just another play. Weāre very comfortable in it and we trust in (defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo) to put us in the right position to make a play.ā
The Chiefs reached the AFC championship game for the seventh-consecutive season, theyāve won nine straight postseason contests and are now vying to becoming the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls.
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āThese are historic moments. These are moments you’re going to remember for a long time,ā Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill said. āYou’re going to tell your grandkids about. We got an opportunity. We got a great team in front of us. They got great coaches, great players, offense, defense, special teams, and so it’s gonna be another battle.ā
The Chiefs beat Philadelphia by three points in Super Bowl 57. Super Bowl 59 might be decided by one possession. A one-score game, based on recent history, favors Kansas City. If it comes to that, like Jones said, they’ll have āpeaceā in that situation.