The Kansas City Chiefs had to scratch and claw their way to a Super Bowl win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night, and afterward, head coach Andy Reid was beyond proud of his team’s effort.
“We have a motto: We’re gonna survive, then thrive,” Reid said, via Nick Shook of NFL media. “It was just about taking their best punch, settling in and at the point that we did settle in, going out there and being aggressive.”
It was essentially what the Chiefs did all year. Their defense controlled the game, and their offense made just enough plays to secure the win.
This wasn’t your typical high-octane Kansas City squad that blew opponents away like in previous years. These Chiefs were a smashmouth group that boasted the second-ranked defense in the NFL this season, and it showed against the 49ers.
“That game was crazy,” Reid said. “Top to bottom, it was tooth and nail, hard-fought battle. Bruises everywhere, my glove actually tore in half at one point, that’s how physical the game was. But just excitement, and just a great feeling, man.”
Kansas City fell behind 10-0 early, but was able to muster a field goal before the end of the second quarter to draw to within seven points by halftime.
The Chiefs’ defense then held the 49ers scoreless in the third period as Kansas City reeled off 10 more points to grab a 13-10 edge heading into the final frame of regulation.
Reid’s club allowed nine points in the third quarter, but it never threw in the towel, scoring a pair of field goals to tie the game at 19 heading into overtime.
The Niners would strike first with a field goal of their own in the extra session, but on the following drive, Patrick Mahomes marched the Chiefs down the field for the game-winning touchdown.
It may not have been pretty, and it may not have been what we have become accustomed to from Andy Reid’s Chiefs, but it doesn’t matter: Kansas City got the win, and now, the Chiefs have achieved their dynasty with three Super Bowl wins in five years.
The scariest part is they look far from done.
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