Hosting their third straight AFC Championship Game, the Kansas City Chiefs made a statement in their win over Buffalo on Sunday night. It was a shaky start as the Chiefs defense gave up nine unanswered points to start the game. The first quarter saw a muffed punt return and a defense that struggled to settle in. By the second quarter, though, it was all Kansas City.
Mahomes and Co. came out in the second quarter, firing on all cylinders. The Chiefs scored three unanswered touchdowns before the Bills finally managed a field goal before halftime. Any concerns about Patrick Mahomes’ recovery from a concussion and turf toe were laid to rest. He suffered the injuries in the divisional round against Cleveland but appeared unaffected this game.
The Chiefs were so good that their offense looked unstoppable from the second quarter on. They had six consecutive drives without a punt, each one leading to a score. The story of the game was the connection between Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Tyreek Hill. The tight end and wide receiver combined for 290 receiving yards. Kelce also caught two of Mahomes’ three touchdown passes.
The game was a good tuneup for the Chiefs as they meet Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It will be Tom Brady’s tenth Super Bowl appearance and the first time that a host city will have its team playing for the Lombardi trophy. Despite the history of Tampa Bay, the Chiefs aren’t scared. They’re chasing history of their own. Patrick Mahomes is the youngest quarterback ever to start two Super Bowls. The Chiefs are also looking to become the first back-to-back champions since the Patriots in 2003-2004.