Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs understand the drill. While they’ll briefly celebrate their Super Bowl appearance, the two-time reigning champions know the ultimate goal is victory, and the job isn’t done yet.
It is a job no other team in history has been able to finish as the Chiefs seek to lift the Lombardi Trophy for a third straight year.
The Kansas City Chiefs are heading to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans after a thrilling 32-29 victory over the Buffalo Bills at Arrowhead Stadium. They’ll face the Philadelphia Eagles, led by Saquon Barkley, in a rematch of Super Bowl LVII. That game saw Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs defeat Jalen Hurts and the Eagles 38-35.
Chiefs tight end Kelce expressed his excitement after the game, acknowledging the fresh feeling of another Super Bowl appearance, especially for newer players. However, he emphasized that their focus is now on the bigger challenge ahead: the Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans.
The Chiefs recognize the Eagles will be motivated by their Super Bowl LVII loss. They know they must prepare diligently to meet the challenge. Meanwhile, for Bills quarterback Josh Allen, this loss marks his fourth consecutive playoff defeat against Mahomes, continuing Buffalo’s Super Bowl drought since the 1993 season.
Josh Allen holds the unfortunate record of the most playoff wins (seven) without a Super Bowl appearance. His Bills have now fallen to the Chiefs twice in the Divisional Round and twice in the AFC Championship Game since 2020. A disappointed Allen acknowledged the loss, stating that to be champions, they needed to beat the champions, which they failed to do. He succinctly concluded that they simply didn’t get the job done.
With two minutes left and the Chiefs leading 32-29, a crucial fourth-and-five play saw Steve Spagnuolo call a blitz against Josh Allen. Under pressure, Allen threw downfield, but Dalton Kincaid dropped the pass. Mahomes expressed his trust in the defense, despite always being nervous when the ball isn’t in his hands. He praised Spagnuolo’s play-calling and the defense’s execution, expressing relief at the incompletion. Despite outgaining the Chiefs 374 to 368 yards and converting four of six fourth downs (possibly five, had a close call gone their way), the Bills couldn’t secure the win. Allen completed 22 of 34 passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns, while James Cook added two rushing touchdowns.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott acknowledged the Chiefs’ strength, citing their Super Bowl wins and consistent AFC Championship appearances. He emphasized the need for his team to improve and overcome the hurdle, despite their successful season. He expressed pride in his team’s performance. The win marked a milestone for Chiefs coach Andy Reid, his 301st career victory and 28th in the playoffs, bringing him closer to Belichick’s record. Reid emphasized that the Chiefs’ work isn’t finished, highlighting the upcoming challenge against the Eagles and the necessary preparation. He also acknowledged the close nature of the Bills game, attributing their victory to having the “most edges.”
The Chiefs are one of only nine teams in NFL history to win consecutive Super Bowls, but they stand alone as the first to reach a third straight after those victories. Coach Reid emphasized their intense motivation to win, cautioning against distractions and hype. He stressed the importance of focusing on the details of the game, like third-and-one situations, and maintaining perspective. While acknowledging the excitement and celebration, Reid underscored that the Super Bowl ultimately comes down to preparation and minimizing mistakes. The team that executes best will win, and they must remain focused and disciplined to achieve that.
Since becoming the Chiefs’ starting quarterback in 2018, Patrick Mahomes has led them to five Super Bowl appearances, earning three Super Bowl MVP awards and achieving a 17-3 playoff record, second only to Tom Brady in postseason wins. Mahomes expressed gratitude for reaching the Super Bowl again, particularly at Arrowhead Stadium, emphasizing the special atmosphere and his appreciation for being part of Chiefs Kingdom. The Chiefs will face the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 59 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday, February 9th. The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports NFL and Main Event, starting at 10 pm with kickoff at 11:30 pm. Kendrick Lamar will headline the halftime show.