The Kansas City Chiefs kept their hopes of back-to-back Super Bowl wins alive on Saturday night when they saw off the Miami Dolphins 26-7 at a freezing Arrowhead Stadium.
Patrick Mahomes defied the elements to put in an assured performance in the adverse conditions, throwing for 262 yards and a touchdown, while the Chiefs defense was able to nullify the fading Miami offense.
Here’s a look at what we learned from the Super Wild Card Weekend clash.
Mahomes and the Chiefs offense is stirring
A stuttering regular season in which Kansas City failed to get any momentum going meant the Chiefs went into the post-season somewhat quietly, with few pundits ready to stick their necks out and predict a successful defence of their Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Surprisingly, it’s been KC's offense which has toiled this season, but on Saturday night, they showed signs of clicking, which could be bad news for the rest of the NFL. The Dolphins looked to apply heavy pressure on Mahomes, but the Chiefs quarterback has always been effective against the blitz and it was no different here, with the reigning MVP’s timing and touch being spot on.
The Chiefs ended the night with more than 400 yards of total offense and 25 first downs, which were crucial in keeping the Dolphins’ offense off the pitch. It’s worth remembering that Miami were missing a number of key players through injury and their red zone efficiency still needs work, but if Mahomes and company are beginning to stir, things could get interesting.
Mahomes has another weapon
While Mahomes played an excellent game given the freezing conditions, the Kansas City offensive improvement was also aided by the emergence of Rashee Rice. The rookie wide receiver was unfazed by the occasion in his first playoff start, catching eight balls for 130 yards with one touchdown. Showing an explosive after the catch ability, Rice has the potential to quickly become one of Mahomes' favourite targets and can lighten the loads of Travis Kelce.
Battered and bruised Miami hit the wall as Tua questions asked
Considering how the last few weeks of gone, it was no shock to see the Dolphins exit the playoffs at the first time of asking. This is a team that has been ground down by injuries, with the offense delivering diminishing returns over the past few weeks.
At a frigid Arrowhead Stadium Miami put up their fewest points of the season as they looked a shadow of the team that thrilled the neutrals over the first half of the season. Tua Tagovailoa couldn’t get going and he’s beginning to earn a reputation as a flat-track bully. Don’t be surprised now if the media discourse turns into a referendum on his long-term future, given the QB is about to enter the final year of his rookie deal in Miami.
The weather plays its part - and will do again
To say it was chilly in Arrowhead is something of an understatement. The contest would end up being the fourth-coldest match in NFL history, with TV viewers enjoying regular updates on just how frozen Andy Reid’s moustache was, while Mahomes’ helmet would crack after a big hit.
The pre-match chatter centred around the Miami team not being able to cope with the weather after jetting in from Florida and Reid’s post-match comments on Mahomes’ performance certainly pointed to the fact that Tua and company were out of their comfort zone.
"Patrick had a nice day,” Reid said. “I don't think (the Dolphins) anticipated us throwing the ball as much as we did. A lot of quarterbacks can't do that in this type of weather."
Cutting. But the Chiefs will likely face another cold weather match next weekend, when they either host the Texans or visit the Bills (depending on how the rearranged Bills-Steelers tussle goes) and Reid will know just how valuable his quarterback will be again.