The Red Sea Parted: Chiefs Win, 51-to-31 – to say this was a game that was everything we thought it would be would be saying something strange. The Houston Texans shocked most everyone in Kansas City by jumping out to a 24-to-nothing lead but then Patrick Mahomes went on a tear ripping off 6 straight TD drives taking a 41-to-24 lead of their own.
Down 24-0 in the 2nd quarter Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs were in football hell.
But then, something epic happened – the ultimate “over my dead body” game from an elite, alpha QB.
Here’s why this year’s Chiefs are different, & why it starts with #15:https://t.co/vmdiesmEtT pic.twitter.com/WcFpnvK4Ru
— Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) January 13, 2020
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Chiefs Tight End Travis Kelce had 10 catch and scored 3 TDs along the way:
Travis Kelce moments after locking up another trip to the AFC Championship pic.twitter.com/J3Ljw8FRlL
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) January 12, 2020
Understanding Kelce’s impact on this game is critical to understanding the guts of this offense:
Travis Kelce was most effective as a receiver in the short area of the field (0-9 air yards), including all 3 TD.
Kelce finished with 5 receptions for 50 yards & TD (on 5 targets) when safety Lonnie Johnson was the nearest defender in coverage.#HOUvsKC | #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/gJ7Pfy5PM8
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) January 12, 2020
This game turned into such an epic battle that the Chiefs set many records along the way:
Just an average day at the old ball yard. pic.twitter.com/Pl2GnRGFon
— Old Chief (@kc1chiefs) January 13, 2020
Being down 24-to-0 was a shock to the players as well but, Veteran defensive lineman, Terrell Suggs put it best when he said, “You learn more from failure than you do success.”
"You learn more from failure than you do success."
Terrell Suggs knows the #Chiefs have had some heartbreaks the last few years. He said the experiences helped today.
Also "It doesn't hurt us to have the reigning MVP and definitely, the best tight end in the game on your team." pic.twitter.com/WYwT6nBQP3
— Chris Roush (@ChrisRoush_KQ2) January 13, 2020
The only way you win a game like that is to continue to push ahead and don’t forget to use your noggin… and not just for hitting:
Route recognition https://t.co/r2zyfXMvTM
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) January 13, 2020
With the Chiefs still behind 24-to-14 and the Chiefs kicking off again, Texans kick returner DeAndre Carter was hit by Daniel Sorenson causing a fumble that popped up and into the arms of the Chiefs Darwin Thompson, who seemed to hesitate for a moment. He explains:
Darwin Thompson on the Kickoff Fumble recovery: “I was like ‘Can I run with this?’ and I was like, ‘Yeah I can let’s go.” #Chiefs pic.twitter.com/YkvKIBHKqA
— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) January 13, 2020
I’ve become a huge fan of the Frank Clark trade, even though Veach shelled out all that dough to his services, and I’m a fan of that trade because of a game like this one: 3-sacks, 3-tackles for loss, and 4 tackles. Plus, Clarks hustle and heart were on full display:
This play is one of the most "don't ever quit" plays I've ever seen from a pass rusher. Clark is relentless.
And a huge hat tip to the other pass rushers keeping Watson contained and playing it smart. pic.twitter.com/AxVTYTpFka
— Seth Keysor (@RealMNchiefsfan) January 13, 2020
Clark is simply inspiring:
Frank Clark on rushing Deshaun Watson: "Film don't lie … we can talk about it now, they going home … if you're the left-side rusher he wants to step up to his right-side b-gap. So at the end of the day, I knew I'd bait him into some things." pic.twitter.com/iJne1VzZ0s
— Rivers McCown (@riversmccown) January 13, 2020
"It's not how you start, it's how you finish." 💪@TheRealFrankC_ had three sacks in an EPIC comeback for the @Chiefs, as they advance to the AFC title game! (via @NFLGameDay Prime) pic.twitter.com/RrF9vDnWbo
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) January 13, 2020
To tell you the truth, I had almost given up on this game when the Chiefs were down 24-to-0 at the end of the first quarter, so I’m not one to judge a fan that may have decided to leave the stadium and go home. I am glad that Patrick Mahomes can have a sense of humor about such things…
Yo @cpenn4thewin is a Kansas City legend. Respect that man. pic.twitter.com/0m5XFCD2tR
— Maybe: Brandon Rooting For #ChiefsKingdom (@welplookathim) January 13, 2020
With the Chiefs up 41-to-31, even backup TE Blake Bell got into the act:
BLAKE BELL! pic.twitter.com/pIvpF5PR9U
— OKC CBS Sports 105.3FM (@OKCCBSSPORTS105) January 12, 2020
To say this game was legendary is an understatement. You may recall a piece I wrote a month ago called:
Chiefs v Patriots: Monumental Games with Seminal Moments
Laddie Morse https://t.co/CA9OYnoP17@SportsRadio810 @NFLFanBlitz @ChiefsReporter @RealMNchiefsfan @KCChiefs_Matt @ByNateTaylor @Chiefs @PatrickMahomes @cheetah @brittanylynne @BrelandMoore pic.twitter.com/Kjz7Eeiyq3— Ladner Morse (@Laddiemorse) December 7, 2019
Those special “moments” may not have happened a month ago, but there were plenty of them in this game.
Probably the most legendary Chiefs game I've ever seen. https://t.co/gbxpaQkdNY pic.twitter.com/z01hKxqVkD
— Great Googly Moogly (@Mutiny32) January 13, 2020
A win like this one, as tough as it was, develops character and heart and established an “I can overcome any obstacle” attitude:
This team has heart and fight in them, straight chills. #Chiefs #ChiefsKingdom https://t.co/kFTFObJxkh
— We Are Chiefs Kingdom (@KingdomCitian) January 13, 2020
Let’s not sleep on the fact that RB Damien Williams had 3 TDs in this game, two running and one through the air. Also, not to be taken lightly is the play of Steve Spagnuolo’s defense. Some will scoff at the notion since the Texans scored 31 points but one TD came off of a blocked punt and the other was set up by a Tyreek Hill fumble at the 9 yard line. So, consider just how well this defense played allowing only one TD in the last three quarters of this game, forcing two punts and more importantly, forcing a turnover, plus 4 times on downs.
A win over the Texans has insured that the Chiefs will be hosting the AFC Championship game for two years in a row and the Tennessee Titans will be coming to town next Sunday.
I love my team, we are 1 of 1. https://t.co/8kUn7YA6WX
— Frank Clark (@TheRealFrankC_) January 13, 2020
The Chiefs may or may not make it to the Super Bowl this year but a game like this can become so storied within all time NFL lore, that Free Agents will want to play with Patrick Mahomes, the real face of the league and real wizard of comeback football.
Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne
P.S.
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