The stuff of dynasties: This Chiefs championship is built on defense and perseverance

Red, yellow and white confetti falling at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas confirmed their coronation. Once again, the Kansas City Chiefs experienced the feeling that only one team achieves in an NFL season, accomplishing a difficult goal that leads to a thrill of excitement.

With their 25–22 overtime win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, the Chiefs became the NFL's first repeat champions in two decades. The win heralded a golden era for the franchise and its status as one of the true dynasties in the league's 104-year history.

“It's the start of one,” Patrick Mahomes insisted. “We're not done yet.”

To secure their third Lombardi Trophy in five years, the Chiefs had to overcome the worst regular season in the Andy Reid-Patrick Mahomes era, as well as the most treacherous postseason path.

The Chiefs, the AFC's third seed, dominated the Miami Dolphins in frigid conditions, a game in which Reid coached with icicles hanging from his mustache. Then, in the first road playoff game of Mahomes' seven-year career, the Chiefs rallied for a 27-24 lead in the second half, with their defense holding the Buffalo Bills scoreless in the fourth quarter. They reached the Super Bowl with another road victory, a 17-10 win over MVP Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens, who entered the postseason with the NFL's best record.

Mahomes led the winning 75-yard drive in overtime against the 49ers, capping it with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman. The Chiefs rallied from a 10-0 deficit to get the score they needed on the final drive of the game.

Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman and quarterback Patrick Mahomes celebrate the Super Bowl-winning touchdown in overtime. (Stephen R. Sylvanie/USA Today)

Mahomes won his third Super Bowl MVP award, but make no mistake, defense was the backbone of the 2023 Chiefs.

“This is the best defense I've ever played with,” Travis Kelce said midseason. “Honestly, they saved us in a lot of situations.”

No opponent scored 30 points on coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's unit, which yielded the fewest points in the second half of the league. Defensive tackle Chris Jones and defensive end George Karlaftis led the team with 10 1/2 sacks. Spagnuolo's defense benefited from career-best seasons from several players, including cornerbacks L'Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie, safety Justin Reid and defensive end Charles Omenihu.

“Watching this defense all year, I've learned that sometimes I have to let them play, let them be the show,” Mahomes said.

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Kelce yells at Reid on the sidelines in Super Bowl LVIII

The league's most talented quarterback, Mahomes demonstrated his leadership, creativity and acumen all season, but played his best when the Chiefs needed it in January and February.

“It's hard to describe someone so well,” says general manager Brett Veach. 'He's a legend. He is a blessing.”

Kelce, an 11-year veteran, also had his best moments in the postseason as he overcame lingering injuries to his knee and ankle to pass Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice for the most postseason receptions in NBA history. N.F.L.

“We have the best quarterback in the world,” Chiefs linebacker Drue Tranquill said. “We have the best tight end in the world. We have the best coach in the world. We have the best defensive coordinator in the world. We have the best general manager in the world.

'If you have all that? It's only a matter of time.”

But this time it took the defending champions time to get everything in order. The Chiefs started the season stumbling, losing to the Detroit Lions on the opening night of the league. All-Pros Kelce and Jones didn't play — Kelce because of a knee injury and Jones because he held out. But the Chiefs lost because of eight dropped passes, the two most egregious by wide receiver Kadarius Toney. Dropped passes would be a recurring problem throughout the regular season, as Kansas City led the NFL with 44.

Mahomes and company won their next six games and entered their bye week with a 7-2 record after shutting down the high-powered Dolphins offense in Frankfurt, Germany. But they lost four of their next six as the mistakes piled up. The low point came on Christmas Day at Arrowhead Stadium with an ugly 20-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Veach is convinced that without that humbling Christmas day, the Chiefs would never have made it to the Super Bowl.

“Something wasn't right,” Veach said. “I think that loss really affected us. It gave the entire organization the opportunity to look in the mirror.”

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That self-assessment on the eve of the playoffs resulted in Reid condensing the playbook and simplifying the game plan.

Running back Isiah Pacheco ran the ball with determination, rookie Rashee Rice blossomed into a No. 1 wide receiver and the offensive line fired at the right time. The mistakes that hindered the attack during the regular season disappeared. And the Chiefs didn't lose again.

“We may not be the prettiest, but we're going to battle,” Reid said. “That's the personality of this team.”

A team that once hung its hat on Mahomes' high-powered offense and improvised passing had to change its personality this season. From the first day of training camp on July 18 until the end of overtime in the Super Bowl on February 11, the Chiefs maintained their status as the league's best by clinching their second straight championship, not with flash, but with gruesome perseverance.

This essay is the introduction to “Undeniable: The Kansas City Chiefs' Remarkable Championship Season 2023,” The Athletic's commemorative book about the Chiefs' 2023-2024 season. Order a copy today for $16.95, plus shipping and tax. Books will be shipped the week of February 19.

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(Photo of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)