Patrick Mahomes, protection gas Chiefs’ wild-card win over Dolphins

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — There have been instances this season when the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ offense did not resemble the high-octane items of their Tremendous Bowl champions, however on a frigid Saturday night time, towards a banged-up Miami Dolphins protection, Patrick Mahomes guided the Chiefs to a 26-7 wild-card victory to advance to the divisional spherical.

The Dolphins’ offense was on a record-setting tempo early within the season, but it surely faltered down the stretch, scoring a mixed 33 factors in shedding the final two video games of the common season. Miami did not convert a 3rd down Saturday till 10:00 remained within the fourth quarter.

Kansas Metropolis Chiefs

The Chiefs are within the divisional spherical of the playoffs for the sixth straight season, however this time with a special sort of crew. The Chiefs’ protection, because it has carried out many of the season, led the way in which. The Chiefs restricted the Dolphins to 264 yards and one landing.

QB breakdown: The Dolphins tried to blitz Mahomes like no different Chiefs opponent. They got here after him on 60% of his dropbacks within the first half, the very best proportion of his profession. He went 8-of-15 when blitzed for 100 yards within the half. The Dolphins backed off the stress some within the second half. Mahomes completed 23-of-41 for 262 yards and a landing.

Purchase on a breakout efficiency: Rookie huge receiver Rashee Rice had his largest sport but with 130 yards and a landing on eight catches. Most frequently, if Mahomes was going to a large receiver, it was Rice. He was the goal on 12 of Mahomes’ first 20 passes thrown to a large receiver. Rice had 92 receiving yards within the first half. A Chiefs huge receiver did not hit 92 receiving yards for a sport till Week 12 within the common season. It was essentially the most receiving yards in a primary half by a Chiefs WR for the reason that 2021 opener (Tyreek Hill, 96 receiving yards). And it was essentially the most by a rookie within the first half of a playoff sport since 2009 (Colts WR Austin Collie had 105 receiving yards within the first half of the AFC Championship Sport vs. the Jets).

Eye-popping stat: Offensive sort out Jawaan Taylor’s block-in-the-back penalty worn out a Chiefs landing within the second quarter. Taylor had 17 accepted penalties within the common season, essentially the most by any offensive participant in a season since 2003. Taylor later within the first half had one other penalty, this one a false begin, when the Chiefs have been within the two-minute drill.

Troubling development: The Chiefs have been 2-of-6 scoring touchdowns within the pink zone. They have been 1-of-3 in Week 17 towards the Cincinnati Bengals within the pink zone of their most up-to-date sport taking part in their starters. They have been seventeenth in pink zone effectivity within the common season at 54.1%. — Adam Teicher

Subsequent sport: Both the Payments in Buffalo or the Houston Texans at Arrowhead.

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins have been lacking 5 starters on one facet of the ball, however an off-the-cuff observer could possibly be forgiven for not having the ability to inform it was on protection.

The Dolphins’ offense mustered 264 yards. With out 5 defensive starters, Miami’s protection compelled discipline targets on 4 consecutive pink zone journeys, however its offense could not capitalize.

Even with the return of working again Raheem Mostert and huge receiver Jaylen Waddle from two-game absences, the Dolphins’ offense appeared like a shell of the model that scored 70 factors on the Denver Broncos in Week 3.

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa accomplished 20 of 39 passes for 199 yards, a landing and an interception, capping off a three-game stretch of unremarkable play forward of a pivotal offseason. The Dolphins picked up his fifth-year possibility, however his contract negotiations for an extension over the following few months will likely be monitored with nice curiosity.

QB breakdown: This was a sport that can possible be mentioned for the following a number of months in regard to Tagovailoa’s limitations. Kansas Metropolis did not respect him as a risk to run and dared him to throw in frigid circumstances. The ball slipped out of his palms on a number of cross makes an attempt, and his ineffectiveness as a passer allowed the Chiefs to key on Miami’s run sport. Tagovailoa led the NFL in passing yards this season, however he hasn’t topped 300 yards since Nov. 19.

Describe the sport in two phrases: Dangerous soccer. There aren’t many different methods to explain it — the Dolphins averaged 3.1 yards per play exterior of that lengthy landing to Hill and have been constantly stuffed on the line of scrimmage by a stout Chiefs protection.

Troubling development: For the fourth consecutive sport, the Dolphins’ high-powered offense appeared something however particular. They didn’t hit their season scoring common in 5 of their last six video games, shedding all however two of them. Outdoors of a 53-yard landing cross Saturday night time to Hill, the Dolphins’ offense was nonexistent. — Marcel Louis-Jacques

Subsequent sport: Season’s over.