2024-01-14 05:03:05
The Chiefs’ toughest opponent in the first round of the playoffs was not the Dolphins, but Mother Nature, with temperatures worthy of the Ice Age in Kansas City.
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The Chiefs advance to the next round with a 26-7 victory. The mercury at the kickoff read 20 degrees Celsius, with a feeling of -33. In the long history of the NFL, this is the fourth coldest game.
Coming straight from Miami, the Dolphins looked like they wanted to be anywhere on the planet except Arrowhead Stadium. The contrast with the Chiefs was stark. While good old Andy Reid wandered around the sidelines without a tuque, without a hood, a good part of the game without gloves and a mustache adorned with icicles, the frail Mike McDaniel was dressed from head to toe like an explorer of the ‘Antarctic.
Nothing to say once morest the outfit of the Dolphins pilot. In the circumstances it was the right thing to do, but the image was striking. Visitors felt like they were in captivity in Siberia while the locals looked in their slippers at home, in front of a fireplace.
A bottled-up attack
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In fact, the only thing that was colder than room temperature in this game was the Dolphins’ offense.
In addition to a long 53-yard touchdown from Tyreek Hill on a pass from Tua Tagovailoa which reduced the gap to 10-7 in the second quarter, the formidable Dolphins attack was held in check.
Since last week’s game, the offense has converted just one third down in 16 attempts. Hill, reconnecting with his old Kansas City fans, was limited to 62 yards. He has not crossed the 100 yard mark since December 3, having been hampered by a sprained ankle.
In total, the offense was limited to 264 yards. Ignoring the long play of 53 yards, it was a meager harvest of 3.5 yards per play that the Dolphins had to resign themselves to obtaining. Given the inclement weather, one would have expected the Dolphins to rely more on the ground game, but that strategy never seems to be part of their DNA.
Hats off, really, to the Chiefs defense! All year long, this unit got the job done even when the Chiefs offense struggled. This performance is therefore not surprising.
Good and bad
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On the Chiefs’ offensive side, Patrick Mahomes was once once more the master at home with his 10th home victory in the playoffs and his 12th overall. At just 28 years old, he joins some great quarterbacks like Troy Aikman, Roger Staubach and Aaron Rodgers.
Mahomes finished the game with 264 yards and a touchdown pass. In Kansas City in the playoffs, his ratio is now 31 touchdown passes to three interceptions. It’s ridiculous!
Even his helmet, which ended up completely cracked in the lunar cold following contact, did not prevent him from dominating.
Carrier Isiah Pacheco gained 89 yards on the ground hard with his team’s other touchdown. Trying to tackle this young man possessed by the demon is already an arduous task, but doing it in such harsh conditions was mission impossible.
The offense showed very encouraging signs with gains of 409 yards. This is a first harvest of more than 400 yards since October 22, which should encourage the troops.
However, only two touchdowns were scored in six appearances in the paying zone, which is puzzling.
Mahomes and his gang really imposed their rhythm and moved the ball as they wanted, one hand behind their back once morest the repeated blitzes of the Dolphins. It should be noted, however, that the Dolphins’ defensive brigade is absolutely decimated by injuries and the second round duel for the Chiefs will most likely not be as pleasant.
The Chiefs are therefore masters at home, but they will probably have to go into exile next week. It will be exciting to see how they react.
In the case of the Dolphins, it’s history repeating itself. The team hasn’t won a playoff game since 2000. For the past two years, its record in December and January is 4-10.
The physical aspect is definitely missing from this team. Speed is fantastic, but it runs slower when you freeze…
THE 3 STARS OF THE MATCH
Rashee Rice
For all the bad things that have been rightly said regarding the Chiefs receivers this season, there is one that definitely stands out and that is rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice. He caught eight passes for 130 yards and a touchdown, becoming the team’s first rookie receiver to pass the 100-yard mark in the playoffs.
George Karlaftis
The Chiefs defensive end made a big jump this season with 10.5 sacks. He continued this momentum once morest the Dolphins with 1.5 sacks and six tackles.
Nick Bolton
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Linebacker makes a huge difference in the heart of the Chiefs defense. Bolton is the general, with 10 tackles. He is everywhere, everywhere, everywhere on the field. The Chiefs defense is very young and Bolton is only 23 years old.
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#Chiefs #masters #cold
