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Rebuilding Patriots should find a clear lesson in Chiefs’ title run originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The Patriots were about as far from Super Bowl 58 as any team, but there was a lesson to be learned as their new leadership watched Patrick Mahomes take the Chiefs to their third title in the last five years Sunday night: A great quarterback can be enough to take down even the most loaded and well-balanced rosters.
The Niners lost in overtime, 25-22, despite having two unanimous first-team All-Pros this season in running back Christian McCaffrey and linebacker Fred Warner. They had three more first-teamers in left tackle Trent Williams, fullback Kyle Juszczyk and tight end George Kittle. Receiver Brandon Aiyuk and corner Charvarius Ward were both second-team All-Pros.
Quarterback Brock Purdy didn’t get an All-Pro nod, but he led the league in quarterback rating and yards per attempt in 2023, thanks in part to being surrounded by one of the most talented rosters in the game.
The Chiefs, meanwhile, had two first-team All-Pros playing Sunday in corner Trent McDuffie and defensive tackle Chris Jones. (Their lone offensive first- or second-teamer, Joe Thuney, was out injured).
But Kansas City also had Mahomes, who now has more career postseason wins than Peyton Manning, Terry Bradshaw, John Elway and Troy Aikman. His 15 playoff victories trails only Joe Montana (16) and Tom Brady (35).
The Chiefs’ 28-year-old three-time champ was at his best late on Sunday. He scrambled for eight yards on a key fourth-and-1 snap in overtime. He stared down a blitz and hit rookie Rashee Rice for 13 yards on third and six. Three plays later, he scrambled for 19 yards on third-and-1. About 90 seconds after that, Mahomes rolled right and hit Mecole Hardman for the game-winning touchdown.
It was far from the flashiest of finishes for Mahomes. But it was exactly what Kansas City needed. Clean football. Timely plays. Smart decisions in the biggest moments.
What’s it all mean for the…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/rebuilding-patriots-clear-lesson-chiefs-182044299.html
Author : NBC Sports Boston
Publish date : 2024-02-12 18:20:44
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