LAS VEGAS — The Kansas City Chiefs are back in the Super Bowl for the fourth time in five seasons, but this trip to the big game was far different than in years past. Not only did they have to win two road playoff games for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era, but they were underdogs along the way. On Tuesday, star defensive lineman Chris Jones reiterated their difficult journey to Las Vegas.
Chris Jones Speaks on the Kansas City Chiefs’ Challenging Path to Super Bowl 58
While the Chiefs are on the verge of becoming the first team to repeat as Super Bowl champions since the New England Patriots in 2004, they were not expected to make it back this season.
During the regular season, the Chiefs went 11-6 and had a point differential of +77. While those marks are very impressive, they’re both the lowest for the Chiefs in the Mahomes era.
With the Chiefs performing below their immensely high expectations in the regular season, they entered the playoffs as the third seed in the AFC.
As the AFC’s No. 3 seed, they had to beat a star-studded Miami Dolphins offense at home before two road matchups against two elite teams in the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens — two games in which Mahomes and the Chiefs were underdogs.
On Tuesday morning, Jones reiterated how difficult the road to Super Bowl 58 was for the Chiefs.
“We played the Miami Dolphins, the best offense in the league,” Jones said. “Then having to go to Josh Allen, who beat us this year, and having to deal with that Buffalo crowd — then having to go play the best team in the NFL in the Baltimore Ravens with an MVP quarterback in Lamar Jackson.”
Jones later expanded on his point, explaining how challenging it is for any team to reach the Super Bowl, using the most recent Chiefs game that failed to make it to the big game as a prime example.
MORE: Patrick Mahomes’ Contract Is Kansas City Chiefs’ Secret Weapon
“I think getting here, it takes a lot,” Jones said. “You look at two years ago in the AFC Championship Game, the Cincinnati Bengals had a two-minute drive that we couldn’t stop. It takes a lot of luck, a lot of faith, and guys not getting hurt, staying healthy; but also the commitment and unselfishness that you have to have as a team, and hitting your stride at the right moment at the end of the season. It takes a lot to get here.”
With the Chiefs making their fourth Super Bowl in five years and potentially winning their third during that span, they make it look easy, but if you ask Jones, that is far from the truth.
As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!