Most important KC Chiefs not named Mahomes in AFC Championship
By Gage Stagner
Number 2 – Safety Tyrann Mathieu
To call Tyrann Mathieu a strong safety is disrespectful. Steve Spagnuolo moves him all over the field and he has been a ball hawk, especially in the second half of the season.
The Honey Badger had four interceptions in the regular season, but what really shows how special he was is the 57.8 passer rating opposing quarterbacks had when throwing on him. He also had two sacks to go with this coverage and he was an analytics superstar this year.
Chris Jones and Mathieu are the unquestioned leaders of this defense, both being key contributors as well as emotional supporters. The defensive turnaround is due in large part to Mathieu, who puts his mark all over the AFC Championship.
What Spagnuolo said about Mathieu while celebrating on Sunday was correct: “God brought us together.” In his first year as defensive coordinator for the Chiefs, he has disguised almost everything and Mathieu has allowed him to this very effectively.
The defensive back will need to keep displaying his versatility in the Super Bowl as Kyle Shanahan’s motions and confusion can be dizzying at times. Look for Mathieu to cement his legacy as more than a college football superstar on the biggest stage.
Number 1 – Wide Receiver Tyreek Hill
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The “cheetah” may not have been on the podium with Mahomes, Mathieu, and Kelce after Sunday’s win due to off the field reasons, but his importance on the field cannot be magnified.
Hill’s speed is arguably the biggest reason Andy Reid‘s offense is so successful. He scored two more touchdowns against Tennessee and his big-play ability opened up receiving opportunities for Sammy Watkins and Damien Williams underneath. He backed up his pregame talk by smoking Adoree’ Jackson in the slot for a 20-yard pitch-and-catch touchdown.
Just like Mahomes’ arm, Hill’s legs are something we’ve never witnessed before. Andy Reid knows defenses cannot stop Kelce in a zone and Hill in man-to-man. Thus, defenses have to pick their poison.
Kelce had a quiet day against Tennessee due to the amount of man coverage deployed by defensive coordinator Dean Pees, but that strategy allowed Watkins, Hill, and Williams to feast. Hill’s value does not have a limit.
Hill may avoid cornerback Richard Sherman in the Super Bowl a good amount unless the Pro-Bowler starts shadowing, which he hasn’t done all year. That may result in lots of zone, which will open spots up for Kelce to have a big game.
So, even if Hill doesn’t get as many receptions, him being covered allows his teammates to have big games. We’ve seen that all too well with Sammy Watkins this postseason.
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Patrick Mahomes might get all of the headlines, but football is a team sport and it took the entire Kansas City Chiefs team to win the AFC Championship Game last weekend.
Next. Winners and Losers from AFC Championship Game. dark
As a result, the Chiefs are representing the AFC in the Super Bowl and it’s something Chiefs fans have waited their entire lives for. Hopefully these five guys plus some surprise candidates step up and have the game of their lives next weekend in Miami.