The Kansas City Chiefs got playoff ready in their regular season finale against their divisional rival Denver Broncos by doing something that they utilized in the playoffs during their Super Bowl run. They spotted Denver a healthy lead and then came from behind to secure the win. The Broncos were playing with passion for their coach Vic Fangio. Fangio is a beloved and respected coach by his players and they could sense that his seat was blazing hot. The Denver players wanted to win the game to try and keep Fangio employed, but their efforts would not be enough to hold back the Chiefs from escaping with the victory.
Denver showed an amazing commitment to the running game with 191 yards. Melvin Gordon had 112 yards on just 12 carries himself. He also scored a touchdown to the delight of the fans at Mile High, but that joy didn’t last long as Mahomes kept the Chiefs close all game and eventually took the lead in the 4th quarter. Nick Bolton was the momentum swinging savior with an 86-yard fumble scoop and score after Melvin Ingram disrupted the play and forced the fumble. Just before that moment, it looked as if Denver could be getting ready to put a stranglehold on the game.
Vic Fangio always has his defenses ready to play and the Broncos defense did a great job of bracket covering Travis Kelce. That seems to be the strategy that everyone is employing now and it has caused Mahomes and the Chiefs offense a lot of distress. Tyreek Hill was injured all game and wasn’t much of the threat that he normally is. The law firm of Hardman, Pringle, & Robinson had to step up to make up for the production deficit. Mecole Hardman specifically had a monster 8 catch 103 yard game. The Broncos couldn’t take away everything that the Chiefs offense wanted to do and as a result, Mecole took off.
The win over the Broncos temporarily put the Chiefs in pole position for the #1 seed in the AFC, but that only lasted for one day as the Tennessee Titans had a game in hand against the Texans that the Chiefs needed the Titans to lose. Unfortunately, the Titans got the job done and got the win so now the road to the Super Bowl will have to go through Nashville and the Chiefs will have to play in the Wildcard round of the playoffs.
TJ Watt and the Steelers will be coming to Arrowhead Stadium with a disruptive defense. Hopefully, the Chiefs defense gets back to their solid structure that they have played with for most of the season because the Broncos were able to run the ball at will on Saturday. It could be worse, it could have been Justin Herbert and the Chargers coming to town. I like the chances of Kansas City at home against Pittsburgh. Go Chiefs!
