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The Kansas City Chiefs are going to the AFC Championship Game. And when they take on the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, it will be the sixth consecutive time that Kansas City will be vying for a conference championship. The Chiefs are enjoying a rare run of sustained success. But obviously, this was one of the most challenging and trying seasons throughout the Patrick Mahomes era. Throughout most of the season, the questions arose about the Chiefs and if they could win in a variety of styles or with different formulas still. Even in a down season, by their standards, Kansas City proved that they could still find a way to win in a plethora of ways.
All told, that point was proven on Sunday in the AFC Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills. The offense started to put more points on the scoreboard more consistently this postseason. Even with Mahomes at quarterback, Kansas City had been struggling in close, back-and-forth games all year long. Winning in a shootout style of game had been very rare all season. And defensively, the Chiefs had one of their worse showings throughout periods of Sunday’s game. That unit was the driving force to some victories during most of the season. But even when that group started slow, Kansas City found ways to adjust and counteract Buffalo in a tight game.
What did Sunday’s performance in Buffalo say about the Chiefs entering the AFC Championship Game? Plus, how will that aid them in their trip to Baltimore to take on the dominant Ravens? Let’s kick it off.
Chiefs Offense Showed They Can Rely On Most Pieces
Throughout the success of the Mahomes era, he and the offense have thrived due in part to spreading the wealth. Everyone is getting at least a couple of pieces of the pie. Beyond that, you can usually count on the Chiefs offense being able to dial up explosive plays down the field. Of course, these points were lacking during most of the 2023 season. Outside of Travis Kelce, Isiah Pacheco and Rashee Rice, there was little production from depth skill players. The extra boosts that came from names like Marquez Valdes-Scantling and even Justin Watson from the year before were simply nonexistent this year. And the plays down the field, they were largely few and far between in 2023.
The Chiefs offense flipped that script once the postseason began. However, they were much more sound in the Divisional Round in Buffalo. Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire were chewing up chunk gain after chunk gain on the ground. But in the passing game, seemingly every weapon had a major impact for Kansas City. Those depth pieces proved that Mahomes can rely on them if a huge gain is needed. Namely, Valdes-Scantling came through clutch with a couple of contested catches down the field. Rice and Noah Gray were able to answer for Mahomes when balls were thrown into tight windows.
Elsewhere, the Chiefs offense proved that the ability to hit on explosive plays were still there. Pass catchers found noticeable creases in coverage to increase their separation. More importantly, Mahomes and his weapons displayed necessary adjustments if plays needed to be extended. The lack of panic from the Kansas City offensive unit was something that lacked during periods of the season earlier in the year. Simply put, the Chiefs calmed all of those nerves and frustrations in Buffalo.
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Defense Displays Excellent Adjustments In Second Half
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There are many metrics that people want to point to, in order to measure the success of a specific unit. In particular on defense, takeaways, sacks and yards allowed per play are things that can lead to having a top defense. But in the end, games are impacted most by points on the scoreboard. The Chiefs defense has been tremendous in the points allowed department for seemingly all of this season. As mentioned by Chiefs Senior Team Reporter Matt McMullen, Kansas City has now allowed 24 points or less in 18 of their 19 games this season. That is the most games anyone has done that in a single season since the Seattle Seahawks in 2013 when they had the Legion of Boom.
Steve Spagnuolo‘s defensive groups have long been known for different aspects. His ability to design pressure and get after the quarterback is as good as anyone. On the outside, the cornerbacks are largely going to play man coverage and press opponents at the line of scrimmage. In the end, there is one facet of this Chiefs defense that has flown under the radar. That would include their ability to adjust at halftime entering the second half.
Those second half adjustments did not just make a difference in Buffalo or throughout this season. In total, Spagnuolo has been excellent at this really for most of his run in Kansas City. The Chiefs have been able to bow up and make more stops if they do allow some points early. Specifically, that occurred on Sunday against the Bills. On top of the scoring defense tightening up, Spagnuolo is quick to adjust his personnel groups and plans of attack in the front seven. Opposing offenses are usually forced to respond differently with their blocking units and with their passing concepts.
Facing The Ravens
The Chiefs being able to win with any formula is going to be paramount when taking on the Baltimore Ravens. Really since their inception in Baltimore, but especially under John Harbaugh, the Ravens have thrived off of physicality and toughness. To say this year’s Ravens live off of that, it would be an understatement. But beyond that, Baltimore is one of the most unique and versatile offenses in the NFL. Add in the speed of the Ravens defense, and Baltimore just throws so much at you.
Even before their playoff success this year, Kansas City was already being forced to be more balanced offensively than past seasons. While staying in rhythm, on schedule and ahead of the sticks is difficult against Baltimore, the Chiefs have shown recent comfort against physicality and pressure. On the flip side, the Kansas City defense will have to continue to make plays in space against the run and contest throws from Lamar Jackson. In what is likely an MVP season for Jackson, he has been pinpoint with his ball placement, while his touch has improved this year. And in the running game, the Ravens can rely on either power or speed.
Whether it is a more methodical approach, or a back-and-forth explosive affair, the Chiefs have found some restored confidence in certain pieces. Depending on the game script or their own plan of attack, Kansas City is still one of the few that can match Baltimore with a variety of formulas.
Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs articles and analysis throughout this week. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.
– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.