Road to Super Bowl LV: Kansas City Chiefs
After their stunning 31–20 win over San Francisco in Super Bowl LIV, the Kansas City Chiefs were firm favourites to return this season. And now the Chiefs are on the cusp of becoming the first team to win back-to-back titles since the Patriots did so in 2005. Here’s how the defending champions got back to the Super Bowl.
The Chiefs Retained Their Championship Roster
Alongside another stellar campaign from quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs lost barely any starters from their 2019/20 championship roster. After winning their first Super Bowl title since 1970, the Chiefs handed Mahomes a mammoth 10 year, $500 million contract extension — the largest ever in professional sports.
Record-setting tight end Travis Kelce then signed a new four year, $57 million deal to return alongside speedy receiver Tyreek Hill. Defensive anchor Chris Jones signed a four year, $85 million contract to remain in Kansas City.
The Chiefs then added to their arsenal by drafting LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire at the end of the first round. To no one’s surprise, the Chiefs finished with the league’s top ranked offense. However, they lost starting left tackle Eric Fisher to a torn ACL during the AFC Championship game against Buffalo.
They Swapped Comebacks For Close Wins
During their Super Bowl title run, the Chiefs were defined by double digit playoff comebacks thanks to the heroics of Mahomes. This season, Kansas City soared to a 14–2 record and captured the AFC’s top seed thanks to an 8–1 record in one score games.
The Chiefs have evolved to become a more balanced team. They no longer need Mahomes to throw for 500 yards in high-scoring shoot-outs. Now they can grind out close games with smarter, more efficient play.
One of their close wins this season came against Tampa Bay, with Mahomes out-duelling Brady in a narrow 27–24 win in Week 12. Now, the two teams will meet again for the chance to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
Andy Reid Engineered More Playoff Heroics
During the third quarter of the Divisional Round clash with the Cleveland Browns, Mahomes took a vicious hit to the head and was shaken up. The reigning Super Bowl MVP was helped off the field and ruled out for the rest of the game.
So the Chiefs turned to backup Chad Henne, who is 35 years old and had never thrown a pass in a playoff game in his 13 year career. With Cleveland mounting a comeback after intercepting Henne in the endzone and closing the gap, the Chiefs faced a 3rd-and-14.
Somehow, Henne scrambled for a 13 yard gain to make it 4th-and-1 at midfield with 1:17 left on the clock. Andy Reid went for it, and Henne completed a short pass to Tyreek Hill to seal the game and send the Chiefs back to the AFC Championship Game for the third consecutive season.
Mahomes returned for the AFC title game, looking sharp in a 38–24 win over the Buffalo Bills. A complete performance from Kansas City secured back-to-back Super Bowl berths. Now, a legacy-defining clash with Brady and the Bucs awaits.
