Are the Kansas City Chiefs lucky, or are they simply better prepared? On Sunday, the Chiefs faced off against the Cincinnati Bengals, and the box score did not favor Kansas City. The Chiefs were outgained by their rivals, 320 yards to 286, and committed three turnovers, including two interceptions and a fumble. In stark contrast, the Bengals managed just one turnover. The performance of Patrick Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl MVP, was particularly concerning, as he recorded only 151 passing yards, marking one of the lowest outputs of his career.
Despite these statistics, Kansas City emerged victorious with a narrow 26-25 win, improving their record to 2-0 in their quest to become the first team to secure three consecutive Super Bowl titles.
The game turned on a couple of late blunders from Cincinnati. A crucial unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Bengals star receiver Ja’Marr Chase pushed them back 15 yards during a critical drive, forcing the team to settle for a field goal instead of a touchdown.
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Nick Wright, host of “First Things First” and a vocal Chiefs supporter, acknowledged the role of luck in Kansas City’s win. He pointed out that Cincinnati’s mistakes allowed the Chiefs to capitalize, emphasizing that Joe Burrow, the Bengals’ quarterback, had the opportunity to lead his team to victory but faltered under pressure.
“They’re lucky for a number of reasons,” Wright remarked. “Joe Burrow had a chance to win, but he took a bad sack that handed the ball back to Mahomes.” He also highlighted the penalty against Chase, noting that it was a situation that Bengals fans could not overlook.
However, not everyone shares the belief that the Chiefs were merely fortunate. On “The Facility,” Chase Daniel pointed out key moments that favored Kansas City, such as Mahomes’ 44-yard touchdown pass to Rice, which resulted from a blown coverage by a Bengals safety. Additionally, a scoop-and-score following a fumble by Burrow in the fourth quarter played a significant role in the game’s outcome.
Colin Cowherd also dismissed the notion of luck, asserting that the Chiefs’ defense has been instrumental in their victories. He noted that Kansas City excels in critical situations, likening them to the New England Patriots, a franchise known for its late-game heroics.
“It’s as if the Patriots passed the baton to the Chiefs on how to win games late against rivals,” Cowherd stated on “The Herd.” He emphasized that the narrative surrounding New England’s success often centered on luck, a description that now applies to Kansas City.
Are the Chiefs lucky? Colin Cowherd says no. Instead, he credits their talented quarterback and coach, stating, “Luck comes to the prepared.” (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
With three Super Bowl championships in just six seasons, Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid are solidifying their legacy as one of the greatest quarterback-coach duos in NFL history. Cowherd argues that their smart decision-making in high-pressure situations gives them an advantage over their competition.
“You can’t always tell if they have the superior roster,” Cowherd explained. “But their star quarterback knows how to manage the game in critical moments, much like Tom Brady did with the Patriots.” He further praised Reid as an elite coach, drawing parallels to Bill Belichick during his prime.
“Luck comes to the prepared,” he concluded.
