Chiefs-Bills: 3 big takeaways from the AFC title game

The Kansas City Chiefs are once again AFC champions, dominating the Buffalo Bills despite spotting them a nine-point lead — winning 38-24. We discussed that and more on the latest edition of the Arrowhead Pride Laboratory post-game show.

Here are three big takeaways:

The best player in the world resides in Kansas City

Some people forgot. Kansas City didn’t — and Patrick Mahomes reminded everyone about the brilliance he is capable of regardless of injury. Mahomes was masterful in the AFC championship game, carving the Bills up in the RPO game, taking a few shots down the field when needed and being patient enough to throw up short against soft coverage. The reigning Super Bowl MVP has earned a chance to maintain that title again by getting his team back to the final game despite dealing with a turf toe injury. He may not have been able to move the same way he is accustomed to, but it didn’t matter. He played like an old veteran better than old veterans do.

The defense was dominant

The only time the Bills scored a touchdown in the red zone without being gifted the ball inside the 5-yard line due to a Mecole Hardman special teams turnover was with four minutes and change remaining in the fourth quarter. Steve Spagnuolo and his unit were outstanding from start to finish — heating up Josh Allen with excellent blitzes and execution. The back end held up extremely well — avoiding too many explosive plays, forcing the Bills to drive the length of the field and tightening up in the red zone. The secondary is peaking at the right time with Tyrann Mathieu, L’Jarius Sneed and Juan Thornhill looking like an absolute problem between the numbers both blitzing and covering. It looks like Juan Thornhill is back to his old self. The defense is having an outstanding playoff so far.

The Run It Back tour makes it to the final destination

The Chiefs are back in the Super Bowl. They set out to bring the same cast of characters back from their team last year — and now this group has earned a chance to defend its title. A team that has looked bored at times with the regular season still won 14 games and secured the bye week before Week 17. The only team getting in the way of the Chiefs winning a Super Bowl is the Chiefs. They’re best will win in Tampa.

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