Kansas City, Missouri – The Kansas City Chiefs are set to advance to the AFC’s Divisional Round following an impressive victory over the Miami Dolphins. The Chiefs started their playoff journey in freezing conditions at Arrowhead Stadium, defeating the Dolphins with a score of 26-7.
The much-anticipated game marked the return of former Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill to Kansas City. The Chiefs did not disappoint their fans, delivering a dominant performance. Rookie standout Rashee Rice had a night to remember, recording eight catches for 130 yards and a touchdown. He joined Elmo Wright as the only other rookie in Chiefs history to achieve a 100-yard game in the playoffs.
Defensive end George Karlaftis also made a significant impact, totaling 1.5 sacks alongside Chris Jones. The Chiefs’ defense was outstanding throughout the game, allowing Miami to score only on a single broken play. They limited Tyreek Hill to just 62 receiving yards and Tua Tagovailoa to 199 passing yards, including one interception by safety Mike Edwards.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes had another remarkable postseason performance, passing for 262 yards and a touchdown while also making crucial scrambles for 41 yards. Tight end Travis Kelce contributed with seven catches for 71 yards. The Chiefs’ running backs, Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire, combined with Mahomes to tally 147 rushing yards.
Head coach Andy Reid praised his team’s performance, acknowledging their completeness in the most important game of the season. Despite some issues with penalties and a lack of depth at receiver, Reid believes the Chiefs are well-positioned for another Super Bowl run with Mahomes leading their offense and a strong defense.
The Chiefs will now prepare for the AFC’s Divisional Round where they will face either the Buffalo Bills in New York or the Houston Texans at home. The outcome of the Bills’ matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers will determine the Chiefs’ opponent. If the Bills win, it will be Mahomes’ first career road playoff game. If the Bills lose, the Chiefs will host the Texans at Arrowhead Stadium.