Thoughts on the AFCCG

[Amnorix]

My unsolicited (and no doubt unwanted) thoughts on an amazing AFCCG

1. First, amazing game. Put aside the rooting interest and the result, and that was one hell of a crazy, entertaining football game, with multiple lead changes and more drama than any damn reality show has to fake create. The game earned the highest TV ratings of any show since last year's Super Bowl, and it delivered. A Patriots beat guy tweeted that the game was "bananapants" with about four minutes left to play, which was before like two touchdowns, a FG, a couple of replay reviews, and an overtime!

2. As Chiefs fans, it looks to me like you have some great years ahead of you to look forward to. Mahomes is obviously the real deal, though still raw, and you have him on an underpaid contract for two more years I understand. Huge competitive advantage. Hill and Kelce are rare talents. Your OLine could be better, though, and your defense. Well, I don't need to say much there.

3. If it helps, think of it this way -- it took the GOAT coach and GOAT QB overtime to beat you even though (1) the Patriots had few penalties, and the team overall played very disciplined all game, (2) the Chiefs defense just sucks right now, (3) Patriots somehow held the Chiefs scoreless in the first half, (4) the Pats kept Hill/Kelce to under 100 yards total, (5) the Chiefs running game was shut down, and (6) the Patriots successfully played "keep away" from the Chiefs offense for most of the game, running about 2 plays on offense for every 1 the Chiefs had. I mean, it's ridiculous how much effort that took. IMHO, the fact that the Patriots KNEW the Chiefs had a hell of a team is proven by Brady's over the top joyous reaction to winning. He's the ultimate "been there, done that" guy and he still acted like a rookie who had won the championship itself when they won.

4. IMHO Belichick and the Patriots coaches won this game far more than any individual player on the Patriots side. I thought Brady was unexceptional most of the game -- but the Patriots game plan was outstanding, on all sides of the ball. Keep away on offense by pounding the ball relentlessly and chewing up clock. Demoralizing/tiring the Chiefs defense. Not allowing the Chiefs offense to get into a rhythm. Good pass rush which kept Mahomes in the pocket, generated pressure, but didn't allow Mahomes to scramble where he is so ridiculously dangerous. It was honestly a thing of beauty as a game plan, in my opinion. It's a great demonstration of why Belichick is the GOAT coach.

5. The Chiefs OLine didn't look good at all. The Patriots completely shut down the run, and were able to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. That's not surprising for the Patriots OLine, which is excellent, but for the Chiefs OLine to be that poor is troubling. Not sure what is up there as I haven't seen many Chiefs games, but if that's a trend you should be concerned. Mahomes style of play is higher risk than you'd like, and keeping him safe should be a high priority.

6. Mahomes is obviously going to be a great one, if he isn't already, but he's still young. He failed to recognize a number of things the Patriots had going on, such as the McCourty blitz. When a safety who is usually playing deep is cheating near the line, that's a signal. He also needs to work his reads/progressions faster. But he's a freaking first year QB. His 50 TDs were "inflated" due to his ridiculous support at the skill positions, but that crap doesn't happen by accident, and we all know most QBs would not have gotten anywhere near 50 TDs even with that talent. Hell, Mahomes' arm and Hill's speed are a match made in heaven for you guys, and a combo that could power you to great heights.

7. I stayed silent during the week building up to the game, but I never did understand how so many Chiefs fans thought they would completely blow the Patriots off the field. I know their year has been one of ups and downs, but if you've watched the NFL over the last two decades, you should've known the Patriots weren't going to come in and roll over for you guys the way the limp-ass, young, inexperienced Colts did. Hell, if it wasn't for the "Miracle in Miami" that game would've been in Foxboro instead of Arrowhead. A tip for the future -- learned the hard way -- NEVER underestimate your opponent. If the 2007 Patriots could lose to the freaking 9-7 Giants, then "any given Sunday" is an absolute reality, and not just a pithy phrase.

8. I have to end with a comment on the many Cheatriots comments. They are sad. When the Patriots keep winning just as relentlessly after these ridiculous scandals as before, what does that tell you about whether or not these scandals made any sense at all? Apparently some want to believe the Patriots just have other ways of cheating to keep on winning, or that they can blame the weak AFC East. Neither makes any sense. The fact is you lost to the greatest dynasty in NFL history, the GOAT coach and GOAT QB, and while they might be in decline, they certainly ain't dead yet, as they proved yet again.

Good luck next year. May we meet again in the AFCCG, with an equally entertaining game and the same result!!