Chiefs: Reflections and the Meaning of 2022

David Bell

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The 2022 Chiefs Culture

There are several factors that went into the making of the 2022 season. First off, a disconcerting 20-to-17 loss to the Colts in week 3. That was a point where I was flabbergasted. Yet the Chiefs made it into December 7-2 (with their only losses to the Colts by 3, and Bills by 4) and would win two more games in the November/December ongoing tally.

Going Back to Nov. & Dec. of 2022, the success continued with numbers across multiple years. On November 20th, the Chiefs faced the Chargers in Los Angeles. They trailed late in the game, 27-23, but KC drove inside the Red Zone and Mahomes hit Kelce for a TD. Chiefs 30-27 after the PAT. Nick Bolton also intercepted a deflected Herbert pass. It sealed the 25^th win a row in the Nov-December months — on the road!

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The next week, November 27th, the Chiefs dismantled the Rams 26-10 for the 26^th win in a row in the months of November and December. This made their record 9-2.

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Unfortunately, the subsequent game was against the Bengals on December 4th, which the Chiefs lost, 24-27, broke the 26-game win streak, retiring the streak. After this loss, the Chiefs did not look back, did not doubt their goal or the ability to get to another Lombardi Trophy! In four seasons, the Chiefs appeared in three Super Bowls, winning two of the three titles. In 2022, the Chiefs lost a total of three games by ten total points. All three games were within striking distance.

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Harken Back to 1969!

The reason I want to recall 1969 at this point is because the Chiefs lost to the Raiders twice in the year and then beat them in the Championship Game.

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My comparison point is that the Chiefs history points back to defeating the Vikings in Super Bowl IV.

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Including the AFC Championship game for the 2022 season, the Chiefs had lost 3 straight games against the Bengals in the same year, but in the AFC Championship Game this time around, the team persevered, won the Hunt trophy followed by Super Bowl LVII’s victory as well. Five-Seven helped to bring home the third trophy in Chiefs history. Before the season started, the players stated they had a mission, and we fans witnessed the players sticking to it and fulfilling the mission. Go Chiefs!

Who Were the Chiefs Winners in 2022?

I will say every player who contributed to the season should be recognized for their contribution to the Championship. The players pulled together, and stuck together, all season long. Of course, there were highlight plays by many players, but the Chiefs as a team made it work.

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Patrick Mahomes won the MVP for the season and then for the Super Bowl. I would like to specifically mention Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Nick Bolton and Willie Gay, Jr. Then it would be appropriate to list all the rookies (who are now year-2 veterans), but you know who they are and what they accomplished this season. That was incredibly special.

The Coaching Staff under HC Andy Reid did a marvelous job: OC Eric Bieniemy, DL Joe Cullen, OL Andy Heck, DC Steve Spagnuolo, Safety Coach Donald D’Alesio, and I am heaping a ton of praise on DB coach, Dave Merritt! GM Brett Veach should be recognized as Executive of the Year. Add credit to owner Clark Hunt as well. Enjoy the Trophy Presentation:

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Reflecting is good. That’s what this article is about. Reflecting and savoring the 2022 Season and Post-Season. There were no pundits, hacks, observers, or analysts who picked the Chiefs to win the Super Bowl. Some didn’t think the Chiefs would win the AFC West and a few didn’t think the Chiefs would even get a post-season berth. They just didn’t see us coming. The team, and it’s resilience, proved them all wrong.

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Thank You Kansas City Chiefs!

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David Bell — ArrowheadOne

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