On Saturday night time of Tremendous Wild Card Weekend, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs 26-7 victory over the Miami Dolphins superior the staff to subsequent weekend’s Divisional spherical.
Offense
Regardless of the freezing temperatures — 4 levels under zero at kickoff — the Chiefs’ offense got here out unafraid to drop again and throw. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes captained the unit from the opening drive, the place he dropped again on 5 of the possession’s 9 performs; the ultimate one was a landing from the purple zone.
Kansas Metropolis’s essential move catchers took benefit of the staff’s willingness to throw. Tight finish Travis Kelce did have a couple of drops, however ended with 71 yards over seven catches; three of these receptions moved the chains, together with an essential third-and-10 on the primary drive of the night.
The auxiliary move catchers had an up-and-down recreation. Huge receivers Justin Watson and Marquez Valdes-Scantling every moved the chains with an essential catch at completely different factors. Tight finish Noah Grey corralled a downfield throw to achieve 20 yards on a scoring drive within the second half.
Huge receiver Mecole Hardman was focused down the sector twice, failing to make a play every time. On the primary throw, he didn’t seem to see it within the air; he was unable to trace it correctly. On a move later within the recreation, it seemed like Hardman had an opportunity to run beneath it or dive for it — however as a substitute, watched the ball hit the grass in entrance of him.
The offense was fueled by the offensive line — and working again Isiah Pacheco — all through the sport. After 39 speeding yards on the opening drive, the again solely earned 50 extra for the remainder of the sport — however he acquired them when it mattered. So did Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Each had been arrange by proper guard Trey Smith and the remainder of the inside offensive line that bullied Miami; the Chiefs didn’t enable a sack all night.
Offensive participant of the sport: Huge receiver Rashee Rice
The rookie large receiver began his postseason profession with a bang. He led the staff in targets (12), receptions (8), yards (130), and caught the one landing move of the night time. The staff took benefit of his run-after-catch capability — but additionally trusted him on throws over the center. He even had a landing nullified by a penalty. It was a standout day for the staff’s prime receiver — and if Kansas Metropolis plans on making a deep playoff run, he’ll must proceed having video games like this one.
Protection
The Chiefs allowed the Dolphins’ offense only one vital play: a 53-yard landing move to large receiver Tyreek Hill. The underthrown move threw cornerback Trent McDuffie for a loop in protection. He interfered with Hill earlier than the wideout caught the ball and ran for the rating.
With out that play, Miami totaled 211 web yards. The Dolphins had been unable to journey their working recreation. They chipped away on the Chiefs, however by no means gained not less than 10 yards on any handoff. Kansas Metropolis pressured 12 third-down conditions — however Miami transformed just one.
That began with the play of linebacker Nick Bolton, who flew round and picked up 10 tackles. One in all them was for a loss — however 4 others gained a yard or much less. Linebacker Drue Tranquill additionally racked up 4 tackles — together with a stuff for no acquire.
When the Dolphins did drop again to move, the Chiefs’ move rush labored in live performance with the protection. Early on, inside strain from defensive finish Charles Omenihu pressured an uncomfortable throw over the center. That led to security Mike Edwards’ interception. Cornerbacks L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie every had two passes defended — certainly one of them approaching a fourth down to finish a Miami drive.
Defensive deal with Chris Jones acquired in on half a sack at one level — however his presence (and that of the remainder of the line of defense) was felt all through the sport; Dolphins’ quarterback Tua Tagovailoa accomplished simply 51% of his passes.
Defensive participant of the sport: Defensive finish George Karlaftis
The second-year edge rusher continues to place all of it collectively, incomes 1.5 sacks and making 4 different tackles. On a third-and-13, Karlaftis powered by means of the appropriate deal with’s inside shoulder to break down the pocket and earn a sack. In a while, a blitz left Karlaftis as a free rusher; he break up a sack with Jones. In opposition to a staff that doesn’t make it straightforward to earn sacks, Karlaftis acquired in on two of them, bringing his season complete to 12.
