Biggest Surprises of the K.C. Chiefs 2018 Season

Biggest Surprises of the

K.C. Chiefs 2018 Season

by Laddie Morse | February 12, 2019

Travis Kelce’s Maturation

If I were to ask you, prior to the 2018 season, to close your eyes and tell me what was the first image that comes to your mind when I say the words, “Travis Kelce” many of you might have said throwing a towel at an official. Now that 2018 is over, that is a long lost memory and mostly because this past season was such a great year for Travis Kelce both on and off the field. Now, it’s hard for many Chiefs fans to not think of him in the same breath as Tony Gonzalez. Right, the Tony Gonzalez who is being inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame this summer. That Tony Gonzalez.

Kelce set the all time record for receiving yards in a single season by a tight end… only to have that record broken by the 49ers George Kittle the same day. That doesn’t at all take away from the incredible year he had. In fact, you could argue that if it wasn’t for Travis Kelce, then Patrick Mahomes would not have had the stellar year he had. Kelce caught 103 passes for 1,336 yards and 13.0 yards per reception including 10 TDs. His ability to get open over the middle makes everything else work in the Chiefs scheme. While I’m not so “shocked” that he accomplished everything he did on the field in 2018… his overall performance was a wonderful surprise.

Getting a Kick (Return) Out of Tremon Smith

He may not have been drafted until the 196th pick in the 2018 NFL draft, but Tremon Smith is going to be a star in the NFL. He nearly returned a kick for a TD versus the eventual Super Bowl Champions in Gillette Stadium in the Chiefs 6th game of the year… which was a surprise for sure (did you notice how artfully I avoided saying that team’s name, which honestly, I hate mentioning… so forget I said anything).

As was suggested here, if Tremon Smith really does have Tyreek Hill’s speed, then the Chiefs will be set at both kickoff returner, and one corner positions, for a good long while.

Chris Jones Breakout Season

DL Chris Jones was all over the field in 2018, and mostly in an opposing team’s backfield. How Chris Jones could have been left off of the AFC Pro Bowl team is unfathomable. Jones 15.5 sacks is the highest total of any Chiefs player since Justin Houston in 2014. Derrick Thomas had 20.0 sacks in 1990, Justin Houston had 22.0 in 2014, then there’s the 15.5 that Jones had tied with Jared Allen in 2007 for the third most by a Chiefs player… ever. Well, in the era of stats for sacks. Chris Jones was the biggest reason of all that the Chiefs tied for the league lead in sacks with Pittsburgh with 52.

The Kareem Hunt Saga

Some surprises are like, “Surprise, I bought you this gift” while other surprises are like, “Daaad, the toilet is stopped up!” The Kareem Hunt situation was more like the latter than the former. Sometimes there is no prize in surprise. I’ll leave it at that… and this.

Dee Ford’s Great Season

Take a look back at all of Dee Ford’s sacks this year and then ask yourself if you really want to see this guy playing for the Raiders or any other team in the AFC West for that matter? Note: the number of fumbles he causes is stunning.

The Play and Plays of Patrick Mahomes

For the first time in Kansas City Chiefs history, since Len Dawson was the team’s quarterback, the team has a true Franchise Quarterback. Yes, I liked Joe Montana (and even still believe he’s the GOAT), and yes, I liked Trent Green a ton too, but neither of them was drafted by the Chiefs and we could have never looked forward to a dozen or more years with them at the helm. Green gave us 5 solid years, and Montana 26 games, but having the best player in the league at the most important in all of sports means things are looking up, up, way up, in Kansas City for the Chiefs for the next decade and beyond. 50 TDs, 5,097 passing yards, a 66% completion percentage and perhaps most surprisingly a 113.8 rating. Mahomes made one surprising play after another in 2018. If you’re honest with yourself, no matter how much of a Chiefs homer you are, like me, you have to admit to yourself that you were laughing inside… at least a little bit… when before the season had even begun, it was reported that GM Brett Veach said of Patrick Mahomes, “He’s one of the best I’ve ever seen.” Quote, unquote. From Mahomes first play of the season, a slant to Tyreek Hill that went for 6… to the plays reviewed by BJ Kissel below, it’s clear that his quickness in decision making in an instant, and his ability to execute what goes through his mind, is unparalleled. 

A Playoff Win, Hosting the AFC Championship

Whether you’re a long time Chiefs fan, or new to the game, the Chiefs victory — no “victory” is not the right word, “drubbing” is much more accurate — of and over the Indianapolis Colts, then hosting the AFC Championship game at Arrowhead Stadium, were the best — and most surprising — moments in K.C. Sports history, since Super Bowl IV (if you’re not much of a baseball, or soccer, fan). Here’s looking forward to many more of those arresting Arrowhead moments in the future! Go Chiefs!

Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne

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