How the Chiefs Reached the Super Bowl: A Season Recap Highlighting Top Players

The Kansas City Chiefs have made it to the Super Bowl again. Kansas City won it all a season ago, but experienced plenty of trying times during this season.

Let’s take a look at how the Chiefs made it back to the Super Bowl, highlighting the team’s top fantasy options throughout the season.

Regular Season

This seems like years ago, but the Chiefs kicked off the NFL regular season against the Detroit Lions. Detroit put the league on notice with a 21-20 win in Kansas City.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes didn’t have a vintage passing game, but did finish with 271 total yards and a pair of touchdowns. He threw touchdown passes to rookie receiver Rashee Rice and backup tight end Blake Bell (who was serving a bigger role with Travis Kelce out with an injury).

Kansas City’s running back duo of Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire were held to just 45 rushing yards on 14 attempts. Pacheco also added 31 yards on four catches and targets.

The Chiefs got their first win in week two, taking down the Jacksonville Jaguars 17-9 in Jacksonville.

Mahomes accounted for 335 total yards and two scores to lead the way. Pacheco rushed for 70 yards, while Skyy Moore and Kelce caught Mahomes’ touchdown passes. Moore and Justin Watson were the team’s leading receivers, with 70 and 62 yards, respectively.

Kansas City’s defense held Jacksonville to 271 total yards. It was just the start of a big year for the defensive unit.

In week three, Kansas City routed the Chicago Bears 41-10 in KC. 

Mahomes had exactly 300 total yards and threw for three touchdowns. Running back Jerick McKinnon had two touchdown grabs on three catches, while Kelce scored for a second straight week and had 69 receiving yards. 

Pacheco tallied 78 total yards and a touchdown, while CEH had 57 total yards and a score. Rice had another solid showing with 59 yards, while Watson and Moore added 51 and 42 receiving yards, respectively.

Kansas City moved to 3-1 with a surprising (in a negative way) 23-20 win over the New York Jets. 

KC jumped out to a 17-0 lead, but needed a fourth quarter field goal from Harrison Butker to prevail. Mahomes threw two picks in the second quarter - the Jets got two points on a safety in the quarter too.

Mahomes had 254 total yards and a touchdown, but tallied just 203 passing yards. Pacheco went off for 158 total yards and a score, while backup tight end Noah Gray caught Mahomes’ touchdown. Kelce led the team with 60 receiving yards - Pacheco was the next closest at just 43 yards.

KC earned another close win in week 5, taking down the Minnesota Vikings 27-20 in Minnesota.

The Chiefs’ offense was better, with Mahomes throwing for 281 yards and two scores, and the team avoided turnovers. Pacheco rushed for 55 yards and a score, while Kelce and Rice caught Mahomes’ touchdowns. Kelce had 67 receiving yards to lead the team, with Watson (56 yards) the only other pass catcher over 50 yards.

Kansas City’s string of ugly wins continued with a 19-8 victory over the Denver Broncos.

Mahomes had 337 total yards, but just one touchdown and an interception. Pacheco tallied 98 total yards, while Kelce went for 124 receiving yards. Kadarius Toney scored the team’s lone touchdown, while Rice had a strong 72-yard outing.

The Chiefs’ defense was the story, holding the Broncos to 197 total yards of offense. KC had three takeaways.

The Chiefs moved to 6-1 with a 31-17 home win over the Los Angeles Chargers. After a wild first half, the Chiefs had just one more scoring drive late in the fourth quarter.

Mahomes had 453 total yards and threw for four scores. Pacheco was limited to 60 total yards, but caught a touchdown. Kelce exploded for 179 yards and a score, Marquez Valdes-Scantling added 84 yards and a score and Rice finished with 60 yards and a touchdown.

Denver got revenge on Kansas City in Denver, winning 24-9. KC only had 274 yards of offense, while turning the ball over five times.

Mahomes threw two picks and lost a fumble while finishing with 260 total yards and no scores. Pacheco only had 37 total yards, while Kelce and Rice led the team with 58 and 56 receiving yards, respectively.

The Chiefs picked up a huge 21-14 home win over the Miami Dolphins in week nine. KC was outgained 292-267, so it was another defensive-led win.

Mahomes had 209 total yards and two touchdowns, while losing a fumble. Pacheco bounced back with a 66-yard day on the ground, while McKinnon caught a touchdown. Rice had the other touchdown reception. Gray was the team’s leading receiver with just 25 yards.

After a bye week, Kansas City lost 21-17 at home to the Philadelphia Eagles. KC outgained Philly 336-238, but two turnovers hurt the hosts.

Mahomes had 215 total yards and two scores on the day. Pacheco had 91 total yards for KC, while Watson had 53 yards and a score. Kelce had the other touchdown reception and finished with 44 yards. Rice added 42 yards.

The Chiefs got back on track with a 31-17 road win over the Las Vegas Raiders. It was one of the cleaner offensive games, but the team had to rally from an early 14-0 hole.

Mahomes finished with 307 total yards and two scores. Pacheco tallied 89 total yards and two scores, while Rice went off for 107 yards and a touchdown. Kelce added 91 receiving yards, while Watson had the other touchdown reception.

KC then took a surprising road loss to the Green Bay Packers, losing 27-19. A Mahomes’ interception proved to be big in the final outcome.

Mahomes finished with 236 total yards and just one touchdown. Pacheco had 123 total yards and a touchdown, while Kelce led the team with 81 receiving yards. Rice added 64 yards, but it was Gray who caught the touchdown.

KC’s struggles continued with a 20-17 home loss to the Buffalo Bills. Two turnovers proved costly again.

Mahomes had 279 total yards, but again just one touchdown. Pacheco didn’t play, which allowed CEH to go for 68 total yards - McKinnon had a rushing score. Kelce tallied 83 receiving yards, while Rice had 72 yards and a score.

The Chiefs got an ugly 27-17 road win over the New England Patriots in week 15. KC had 326 total yards and two more turnovers. The defense led the way, with only 206 yards allowed.

Mahomes had 305 passing yards and two scores, but also two picks. Pacheco was out again, but CEH and McKinnon responded with a touchdown grab each. Rice led the team with 91 receiving yards and caught a touchdown from McKinnon. 

Kansas City had a rough Christmas, losing 20-14 at home to the Raiders. KC held a 308-205 advantage in total yards, but had two turnovers.

Mahomes finished with 288 total yards and a score. Pacheco returned and scored on the ground, but had just 26 total yards. Rice led the team with 57 receiving yards, while Watson caught the touchdown pass.

KC won the AFC West title with a 25-17 home win over the Cincinnati Bengals in week 17.

Mahomes had 245 passing yards and a score, while losing a fumble. Pacheco erupted for 165 yards and a touchdown, while Rice added 127 receiving yards. Butker made six field goals to help KC rally from a 17-7 hole.

KC played the Chargers in week 18, but rested most of their starters with a playoff spot already set in stone. Butker made two field goals and Mike Edwards had a 97-yard fumble return to account for the team’s scoring.

Postseason, So Far

Kansas City topped Miami 26-7 in the Wild Card Round. KC had 409 total yards of offense.

Mahomes finished with 303 total yards and a touchdown, while Pacheco had 89 rushing yards and a score. Rice went for 130 yards and a score, while Kelce had 71 yards. The defense held Miami to 264 total yards and Butker made a trio of field goals.

KC then traveled to Buffalo and topped the Bills 27-24 in the Divisional Round. The Chiefs had 361 total yards of offense.

Mahomes had 234 total yards and two scores, while Pacheco added 111 total yards and a touchdown. Kelce had 75 yards and two scores, with MVS checking in with 62 yards. The defense made a third-down step before Buffalo missed a late field goal that would have tied it.

This past weekend, the Chiefs went to Baltimore and took down the Ravens 17-10. It was another pretty ugly game, with three key takeaways from the defense being the biggest difference.

Mahomes had 256 total yards and a score, while Pacheco had 82 total yards and another score. Kelce finished with 116 yards and a touchdown. Rice added 46 yards.