A game of records for the Kansas City Chiefs as they clinch their first back to back division titles in franchise history.
After starting 5-0 and falling to 6-5 ,things were beginning to look bleak in Kansas City. However, with the playoffs on the line jockeying with the Raiders and Chargers, the Chiefs have now won three in a row, securing the AFC West title and a playoff spot at the same time.
It’s all be certain that the Chiefs will end up with the 4th seed in the AFC and will face the likely 5th seeded Baltimore Ravens. The last time the Chiefs faced the Ravens in the playoffs was back in 2011. That season the Chiefs finished 10-6 with the top ranked rushing offense, but were rebuffed by a 12-4 Ravens team led by their 3rd ranked defense.
Since the Chiefs wont be able to do anything about their positioning in the playoffs, should the Chiefs start Patrick Mahomes? Short answer: Yes. Long answer: Yes, they most definitely should. Short of a Super Bowl run, this will likely be Mahomes’s team going into 2018. Getting Mahomes some real game reps against a real defense will be valuable as he prepares to take over next season.
The Chiefs also had their first trio Kareem Hunt, Travis Kelce, and Tyreek Hill all went over 1,000 total yards for their respective position. What a year it has been statistically for the Chiefs offense this season. Never before in franchise history have we seen such a dominant trio of players on the offensive side of the ball.
More from Arrowhead Addict
- Former Chiefs cornerback in legal trouble in Las Vegas
- Chiefs Kingdom: Get ready to break contract news
- Chiefs news: Travis Kelce wants to host fan ‘chug-off’ in Germany
- Podcast: Breaking down the Chiefs biggest roster battles
- KC Chiefs send Dave Merritt to NFL coaching accelerator
Kareem Hunt started off hot with over 600 yards rushing in just the first 5 weeks of his career. The Chiefs and Hunt had some setbacks with Hunt only able to accumulate 321 rushing yards over a seven-week stretch. Now Hunt has rushed for 362 yards over these last 3 weeks to bring him up to 1,292 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns.
Travis Kelce has continued his dominance from last season with back-to-back 1000+ receiving yard seasons. The former Chiefs great Tony Gonzalez did not have back to back 1000+ yard seasons until his 11th and 12th seasons. Next season, Kelce will try to tie Greg Olsen for most consecutive 1000+ yard seasons for a tight end.
At quarterback, Alex Smith has now passed for over 4,000 yards for the first time in his career. It’s the first for the Chiefs since Trent Green did it back in 2005. Smith is also on track to finish the season with a QB rating over 100 for the first time in his career. If the Chiefs do decide to try to trade Smith this offseason, they should be able to get a respectable return for a proven veteran QB.
If the Chiefs do decide to move on from Smith after this season, a 4,000 passing yard season may soon become pedestrian. Rookie Patrick Mahomes is well known as a gunslinger, and Reid has clearly shown his love for the passing game. It would be silly for Reid not to use Mahomes’ tools to the limit of his potential.
Things are looking up for everyone on all sides for the Chiefs. Time to get ready, Chiefs Kingdom! The playoffs are coming to Kansas City this season!