Welcome to the team where even the stress-free games prove hazardous!
It has been well documented that the Kansas City Chiefs’ season has come close to the wire in almost every single game.
The consistent source of amusement for Tony Romo, Cris Collinsworth and even Tom Brady has had Chiefs Kingdom collectively pulling out its hair.
So surely, a trip to Ohio to face the 3-10 Cleveland Browns will see the Chiefs secure a confident and comfortable victory?
Think again.
The statistics of last night’s game are in keeping with the underwhelming tone of this season. Despite winning 21-7, the Chiefs’ defence worked overtime to keep putting the ball back in the hands of Patrick Mahomes, who – it pains me to say – was 19 from 38 on passes for the game.
The whole game could be summarised by the words ‘three and out’, ‘fumble’, ‘incomplete pass’ and ‘interception’. Oh, and ‘injury’, but we will get to that later.
Do not get me wrong, the Chiefs were the superior team with the Browns’ Jamesis Winston throwing three interceptions and back-up quarterback Dorian Thomspon-Robinson adding another.
The Chiefs defense jumped on every opportunity. Trent McDuffie made his first career interception along with sacks from Tershawn Wharton, Charles Omenihu and George Karlaftis – the Kansas City defence looks tough to beat.
The offense, however, were struggling to get things moving. Kareem Hunt, Xavier Worthy and Isiah Pacheco gained some good yardage, but the Chiefs should have been up by far more than 14 points at the end of the game.
Heart in mouth moment for Mahomes
The end of the game for me was a complete catastrophe.
Mahomes was tackled and hit at the same time while attempting a pass on 4th & 3. It resulted in what appears to be a high ankle sprain.
With eight minutes to go in the game, a 14-point lead and already in field goal range, was going for it the right decision?
Mahomes limped to the sidelines, bringing in Carson Wentz who would eventually kneel out the game after McDuffie’s interception.
It was a win, and probably the most convincing one we have managed this season. However Mahomes’ incomplete passes and overthrows meant that even a stress-free game came with a warning for Chiefs fans!
I wonder what the remainder of the regular season will bring.
After the Buffalo Bills’ huge victory last night, do the Chiefs rest their starters, content with clinching a play-off position? Or do we continue to fight for number one seed and the bye week? It seems that the drama will continue in Kansas City – but would we expect any less?
