KC Chiefs: Five things we learned in AFC Championship win vs Titans

The wait is officially over, Chiefs Kingdom. After 50 years, the KC Chiefs are going to the Super Bowl and it’s a feeling unlike any other.

Years of what-if’s and questions have lead to this EXACT moment. Everything that Andy Reid, Clark Hunt, Brett Veach and even John Dorsey has built has culminated in the Kansas City Chiefs shedding demons of all kinds. We are here and the NFC is on notice. Here is what we learned in the Chiefs’ win over the Titans in the AFC Championship Game.

Chiefs are going to the Super Bowl

Let’s go ahead and get this out of the way: Your Kansas City Chiefs are going to play in the Super Bowl; Pinch yourselves because it is real. This is big on so many levels.

After years of heartache and turmoil under Scott Pioli, Clark Hunt took a chance on Andy Reid after he had been relieved of his duties in Philadelphia. Seven years later and all the hard work finally paid off. The city deserves this moment. The fans deserve this moment. Clark Hunt finally brought the trophy that bears his father’s name home.

Soak it in Chiefs Kingdom, we are going the Bowl.

The Frank Clark trade paid off

The biggest splash of the offseason was when the Chiefs made a trade with Seattle for pass rusher Frank Clark. Early on in the season, he didn’t look like the guy he was in Seattle and fans were understandably upset because the Chiefs traded a lot for someone who was supposed to be a premier pass rusher.

Turns out, he was playing hurt with both a neck injury and then a nasty stomach bug. Clark provided heart and fire to the Chiefs defense that it lacked last year. All of the negative things that fans have said mean nothing and he got better as the year went on.

With the Titans trying to make a drive, Clark made the final play on defense. It was fourth and six and the Chiefs were one play away from ending 50 years of suffering. Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill started scrambling, trying to find something open or green grass for a possible first-down run.

As he drifted further back, Frank Clark tripped him up… and it was over at that exact moment.

Patrick Mahomes is unreal

Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback in the NFL and it isn’t even close. His fire and leadership are well beyond his years and it’s hard to believe that he is only 24 years old. He has poise and control in the pocket that a quarterback as young as him shouldn’t have. He is well beyond his years with talent and we in Chiefs Kingdom are lucky to have him.

In the postseason, he has a total of 11 touchdowns and zero picks, which is in a grand total of FOUR games. When the Chiefs needed a play against the Titans, he found one even if it meant with his legs.

His 27 yard rushing touchdown was a thing of beauty and just what the team needed at the time. It’s really hard to believe that in a fateful game against the Denver Broncos, it was thought that he was lost for the season when he dislocated his kneecap on a routine quarterback sneak; Almost two months later and he led the Chiefs to the Super Bowl.

Work still needs to be done

More from Kansas City Chiefs

• How to Bet on the Chiefs vs. Cardinals in NFL Preseason Week 2
• The 3 Most Intriguing Games on the Chiefs’ Schedule
• DraftKings + FanDuel Kansas Promos: INSTANT $150 Bonus Plus Two Chances to Win!
• Fan-Favorite Locks Up Chiefs Roster Spot With Stellar Preseason Performance
• DraftKings NFL Kansas Promo: Bet $5 on Chiefs vs. Saints, Win $150 Bonus!

Yes, we’re mostly on cloud nine right now, but there is still work that needs to be done for this team moving forward. The Chiefs were biting hard when the Titans decided to go play-action and gave up some massive plays to A.J. Brown.

The run defense was also getting gashed by Derrick Henry early in the game, but that was to be expected given his performance in the postseason. On offense, the Chiefs need to run the ball better and their yards can’t all come from Mahomes or else they are in trouble. The good news is that the Chiefs have an extra week to prepare.

Conclusions

This game was big on so many levels. The Titans were Andy Reid’s kryptonite going into this game. No team in the NFL wants to see the Chiefs because they can beat you in all sorts of ways. The Chiefs have a top five coach, the best offense in the NFL, and a budding defense that is playing the best they have in years.

The Super Bowl is two weeks away so enjoy the moment.

There is still work to do for your Kansas City Chiefs.  Let’s leave that for the coaches and relish at the moment.  For the first time in 50 years, the Chiefs are in the Super Bowl.