Wild Card victory: A great game of "should haves"

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Jan 9, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Kansas City Chiefs free safety Eric Berry (29) reacts after intercepting a pass against the Houston Texans during the first quarter in a AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

30 – 0. HECK YES!

After two decades of waiting for the Kansas City Chiefs to win a playoff game again. After watching the red and gold lose the most consecutive playoff games in NFL history. And after the last trip to the playoffs ended in unbelievable and heartbreaking fashion, retribution came in the form of an oh-so-sweet 30 – 0 blowout in Houston.

I screamed. I jumped around my apartment. I waited for the collapse that never happened.

I felt thrilled when that game ended, but also a little concerned.

Looking at the win on paper, it is a bit hard to criticize. The team was able to break several franchise and NFL playoff records. All three phases of the game were involved in the triumph. The special teams started the game off with the second longest kickoff return in NFL history. Cairo Santos kicked the longest field goal in Chiefs postseason history. The offense made it into the end zone on the ground and through the air.

The defense created five turnovers, including a franchise record four interceptions. And then there is simply the fact that a Texans team who was riding a three-game winning streak (and had taken six out of their final eight) was held scoreless in their own stadium. Even the Chargers were able to manage a field goal on the Chiefs defense.

Even the quarterback of their next opponent was giving them high praise in a recent radio interview.

So what was not to like?

Wild Card victory: A great game of “should haves”

By Jonathan Rhodes | Jan 14, 2016