As members of Chiefs Kingdom, it's not hard to imagine that the rest of football fans are tired of hearing about or even watching Kansas City's success. After all, it's like hearing about an already wealthy family winning the lottery, or a family who has a dozen kids telling you they're pregnant again (and likely headed to a TLC show).
As it turns out, however, that sentiment would be wrong.
The latest numbers are out from ESPN detailing the ratings via various streams and broadcasts for the Divisional Round matchup between the Chiefs and Houston Texans and the network must be thrilled. They experienced a record response in the process, reaching 33 million viewers overall.
Per a press release from ESPN, "The 32.7 million viewers surpass each NFL on ESPN game, playoffs and regular season, since 1987 (38 seasons), the first year when the network aired NFL games."
Yeah, that's a good sign.
There are many reasons why a Chiefs broadcast would be so popular. The NFL itself is an ascending empire—by far the most popular pastime in a country with increasingly fractured interests and subcultures. ESPN set a record last year as well—and the year before that.
It also doesn't hurt to have multiple Hall of Famers participating in these games. Patrick Mahomes is the face of the entire NFL as the premiere quarterback in the league. Travis Kelce is a ubiquitous figure in popular culture with a reach far beyond the gridiron, yet he's still dominant on the field. Andy Reid is a legendary coach in a position where turnover is the norm. Chris Jones looks like he's headed for Canton himself as a pass-rushing force for a dynasty.
About that dynasty, it doesn't hurt the Chiefs that they've won two consecutive Super Bowls and that they're oh-so-close to a third in a row—which would be an NFL first. Anyone tuning in right now is undoubtedly aware that they could be watching the Chiefs make history—like them or not—and that's a draw in itself.
And then there's that Taylor Swift factor.
The truth is that for all of the bluster about Chiefs overload, the team is still becoming more popular every year. Despite the claims that the NFL has rigged the sport for them, those same trolls are still tuning in. In other words, those who are "over it" are still "into it."
Just imagine what these numbers will be if and when the Chiefs hoist that Lombardi once again.