From season to season, uncertainty is the only certainty in the NFL. In this unpredictable jungle, the Chiefs remain at the top of the food chain with a seventh straight division championship.
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Patrick Mahomes’ gang were unaware of the quiet walk in the park expected against the Poor Texans (1-12-1), the league’s worst club.
The Chiefs (11-3) won 30-24 after overtime, trailing for most of the game and taking their first lead in the third quarter with nine minutes remaining.
In overtime, the defense got the job done by provoking a fumble from quarterback Davis Mills. Runner Jerick McKinnon then turned untouched for the game-winning touchdown on a 26-yard streak.
In short, it was anything but easy. Additionally, it was a second win for the Chiefs this season in overtime and a seventh win by touchdown or less.
There are never freebies in the NFL, even for the big guns.
Despite their all-powerful attack, the Chiefs committed two more turnovers. In that regard, they have a -7 difference this season. Of the 14 teams that would be playoffs if they started today, this is the worst ratio and possibly the point that could lead to their loss.
Nice consistency
All is not rosy for the Chiefs, but what team can truly claim to flirt with perfection?
What we have to applaud in Andy Reid’s men is the exceptional consistency they have shown over the past several years.
The Chiefs are only the third team in history to win seven straight division titles. The Patriots for eleven seasons from 2009–2019, as well as the Rams for seven seasons from 1973–1979, were the only ones to reign that long.
That’s not nothing at a time when staff turnover due to the salary cap is ubiquitous.
It’s also the longest active streak, not just in the NFL but in the other major professional circles, namely the NHL, the NBA, and Major League Baseball.
Not bad for a franchise that in its first 55 years of existence, from 1960 to 2015, had never won its division two years in a row!
Obviously, much of that continued productivity goes to Patrick Mahomes, who’s been the starting quarterback since 2018.
King Mahomes
Against the Texans, he passed 36 of 41 (87.8%) for 336 yards and two touchdowns. He assassinates enemy defenses with such regularity that no one cares. The extraordinary becomes routine.
Mahomes hit 35 touchdown passes yesterday for the third straight season. Only Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Brett Favre can say that.
Want another example of consistency? In their last 19 games, the Chiefs have rushed for at least 300 yards, a franchise record. Against the Texans, they rallied for 502 yards of offense and still gave the impression that things weren’t going well.
What’s ironic about another successful season for the Chiefs is that their three division rivals, the Chargers, Raiders and Broncos, spent even more than the Trudeau administration trying to get players to complete the Chiefs’ reign.
A few months later, subjects are still watching the parades of kings.
winner
The Vikings
The Mauves won their division title by overcoming a 33-point deficit against the Colts. This is the biggest comeback in history. Before this game, teams trailing by 30 points or more at halftime were tied 0-132.
The bills
The win in Extremis against the Dolphins earned them their fourth straight playoff presence. The rivalry with the dolphins promises to be exciting for years to come.
Justin Fields
The Bears sophomore quarterback looked good despite the loss to the Eagles, and most importantly, he became the third quarterback in history, behind Michael Vick and Lamar Jackson, to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season.
The Lions
It’s the sixth win in seven games for the Lions, who are still in the playoff hunt. The best part of the story is that they proved they can even win defensive games when their attack got out of control.
The Bengalis
The win over the Buccaneers, combined with the Ravens’ loss to the Browns, left the Bengals alone at the top of the North Division of the American Conference. Joe Burrow threw four touchdown passes.
loser
The Colts
The Colts took a 33-0 lead against the Vikings and comfortably put both feet on the ottoman. Shame on you for this embarrassing defeat.
Robert Saleh
The Jets pilot mismanaged the clock on his team’s final attack sequence. Despite the Jets going for their three time-outs, he let precious seconds go by. The Jets’ playoff hopes have taken a hit.
Dean Pees
The Falcons’ defensive coordinator had to watch the game live from the hospital. Before the game, the league’s oldest coordinator, 73, collided with a Saints player practicing kick returns and left the stadium on a stretcher. Quick recovery!
The cowboys
The loss to the Jaguars doesn’t really affect the Cowboys’ playoff placement, but losing a 17-point lead is still unacceptable. The defense showed their worst performance of the season.
The Titans
The Titans suffered a fourth straight loss. They seemed very alone in their division not long ago, but now the Jaguars are just a game behind and beat them last week. A week 18 duel that promises to be critical.
5 games of the week
1) Big spasm of the pats
The Patriots were 24-24 late in the game and were at their 45-line when they attempted a run with Rhamondre Stevenson. This reached the Raiders’ 32-line, but with no time left, the Patriots went on a series of side passes. The carrier passed the ball to Jakobi Meyers, who tried to play it well behind Mac Jones, but Chandler Jones kept guard and intercepted the pass to spin into the end zone. Victory, Raiders and Monumental Cramp of the Patriots!
2) The Magic Jaguars
The Jaguars overcame a 27-10 deficit and eventually won 40-34 against the Cowboys. In overtime, the Jaguars missed their chance for their first offensive series, but defense saved the day. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott attempted a pass to Noah Brown, but safety Rayshawn Jenkins made the interception and returned the ball to the end zone for the game-winning touchdown. Jenkins had 18 tackles and two knockdowns throughout the game.
3) Bucs self-destruct
The Buccaneers quickly built a 17-0 lead over the Bengals, then brutally hit the self-destruct button. In five consecutive sequences, they lost the ball after a failed fake release, then Tom Brady threw two interceptions and committed two breakaways. The Bengals scored 24 points straight from those errors and slipped away with the win. There were a lot of gifts before Christmas, all that!
4) The chargers running out
The Chargers needed a last-minute 43-yard field goal from kicker Cameron Dicker to defeat the Titans. It was thanks to a spectacular pass from Justin Herbert to Mike Williams two games earlier that the Chargers were positioned for the game-winning field goal. Herbert ran from the pressure and threw a moving laser at Williams. Nice ! The Chargers have significantly increased their chances of making the playoffs.
5) Difficult beginnings
Falcons rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder had a tough time starting his career. He completed just 13 of 26 passes for a measly 97 yards against the Saints. His 3.7 yards-per-pass average is disgusting. It’s like the rest of the South Division. The Saints (5-9) saved the honor without being convincing while the Falcons (5-9), Panthers (5-9) and Buccaneers (6-8) evaded it. Shame on this division of misery!