Spit Fire and Save the Matches, the Torch Has Been Passed

There’s a new sheriff in town, and Mahomes is his name. Tom Brady, despite his last drive, saw the writing on the wall in yesterday’s game. Guys like Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Drew Lock, Deshaun Watson, and Russell Wilson are the new guns in town. It’s time for Brady to go walk into the sunset and share tales of his glory days with other greats like Fran Tarkenton, Joe Montana, Peyton Manning, Terry Bradshaw, and Dan Marino.

If you are a Kansas City Chiefs fan, yesterday’s game was a beauty. 23-16 over the New England Patriots in Gillette Stadium during the month of December is akin to winning a “mini-Super Bowl.” While it hardly makes up for our heartbreaking loss to the Patriots in last year’s AFC Championship game, man, does it ever feel good!

Chiefs fans initially felt vibes of deja vu as the Patriots marched down the field, aided by two penalties… both on third downs… to score a quick TD and point after on their first drive. Mahomes throwing an uncharacteristic interception on the next drive added to that dread. Then an amazing thing happened. The Chiefs defense played like they were prepping for a January run, the Special Teams remembered that their coach is the incredible Dave Toubs, and the offense remembered that they are awesome, able to score from anywhere on the field, anytime, regardless of down or yards-to-go.

In the course of 60 minutes, Patrick Mahomes walked out of the shadow of Tom Brady to become his generation’s GOAT, while the “old GOAT” had little choice but to ponder the wonderful world of retirement.

Perhaps I’m overly optimistic to elevate Mahomes so fast. However, I’ll not back away from my steadfast belief that Brady’s time is over. Mahomes completed 26 passes of 40 attempts for 283 yards, one touchdown, a single INT for an 83.6% passer rating.  Brady, on the other hand, ended the game with a 63.3% passer rating, throwing 19 completions on 36 attempts and matching Mahomes in both a TD toss and INT.

The game was perhaps the best defensive effort by the Chiefs to date. The Chiefs registered an interception by Bashaud Breeland, three sacks, six QB hits, and held the Patriots to under 300 yards total offense. When it mattered most, the Chiefs D held. DC Steve Spagnuolo is the real deal!

Special teams came through, too, minus the blocked punt on Dustin Colquitt. Kicker Harrison Butker was true on every extra point and field goal attempted, further cementing him as the “Iron Man” as his position. Mecole Hardman picked up 93 yards in kickoff and punt returns. Special Teams coach Toubs is also the real deal.

As for offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and head coach Andy Reid, they need no announcement as “the real deal.” They are the poster children for next year’s “Success with Offense” campaign for NFL teams.

It was an ugly win and I wish that Andy would have been more aggressive in the second half.  However, I’ll not look a gift horse in the mouth. Football in December and the latter months is ugly. Sometimes ugly, wins.

The Chiefs are now 9-4 and are AFC West Champs. The only thing that could have made the day better is the Buffalo Bills emerging victorious over the Baltimore Ravens, but it didn’t happen. It’s okay, the Ravens face the 5-8 New York Jets next week and stranger things have happened. I’m a glass half-full type of guy.

In any case, the Chiefs won, are AFC West Champs… again, and have a young gun in the 24-year-old Mahomes who’s sure to be a force to reckon with in the years to come. That’s important. After all, Tom Brady needs something to watch in his retirement years!

Michael Travis Rose — ArrowheadOne

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