Can the Chiefs Advance to Their Seventh Consecutive AFC Championship Game?
The Chiefs have been a dominant force in the AFC for several years, largely thanks to Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes has set the league on fire since being drafted back in 2017 by the Chiefs in the first round. His exceptional play has transformed the Chiefs into a modern-day dynasty, and he has redefined what’s possible for a modern quarterback. Under his leadership, the Chiefs have gone on to appear in six AFC Conference Championship games and now have the chance to advance to a seventh with a win against the Texans on Saturday. So, what are the keys for each team to advance to the AFC Championship game?
Texans: Find Offensive Consistency
Last season, the Texans were one of the hottest offenses in the league with then-rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, but this season they have been very hot and cold offensively. With the win over the Chargers last week, the Texans’ defense looked strong, but the offense continues to be lackluster at times. Even though the Texans are missing several key offensive pieces such as Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell, they’ll need to find a way to consistently move the chains and keep the Chiefs offense off the field. With the Chiefs bolstering one of the best defenses in the NFL, the Texans need to avoid turnovers and find a way to move the ball up and down the field to have a chance in this game.
Chiefs: Get the Ground Game Going
The Chiefs’ offense is a long shot from the prolific offenses we have seen Patrick Mahomes lead in recent years. Yet, they have still managed to win 15 games this season, thanks in large part to their ability to deliver in crunch time. The defense has also stepped up significantly this year, often bailing out the offense during tough games. In this game, they should look to establish the running game with Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt to create opportunities for the passing attack. As long as the Chiefs’ offense can move the ball consistently, and not turn it over, they should be able to advance to the AFC Championship game.
