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SPORTS Saturday 1 February 2020

Why do Chiefs believe they will win Super Bowl? Easy: fate

By DAVE SKRETTA to limit the big plays, but it's
AP Sports Writer easier said than done, for
MIAMI (AP) — The Kansas sure." It's not just the skill posi-
City Chiefs have perhaps tions that give the Chiefs an
the best quarterback in the offensive edge. Their line,
NFL in Patrick Mahomes, anchored by All-Pro right
the fastest wide receiver tackle Mitchell Schwartz,
in Tyreek Hill, one of the allowed the third-fewest
premier tight ends in Travis sacks in the NFL this season
Kelce and one of the elite and just nine total over their
coaches in Andy Reid. final eight regular-season
They have plenty of other games. That means they
playmakers, too. Damien are well-equipped to deal
Williams has had starring with the ferocious San Fran-
turns at running back, Sam- cisco pass rush.
my Watkins had a monster Speaking of defense, the
AFC title game, and a de- 49ers aren't the only ones
fense anchored by Frank that can stop a team.
Clark and Tyrann Mathieu The Chiefs overhauled that
has been downright stingy. side of the ball under coor-
Those are all compelling dinator Steve Spagnuolo,
reasons for why the Chiefs and a pass defense that
could win their first Super was second-to-last in the
Bowl in 50 years on Sunday, NFL last season was the
but it's not the biggest one. eighth-best this season.
No, most fans back in Kan- The Chiefs were fifth in the
sas City are pinning their league in interceptions,
hopes on something far less Clark and Pro Bowl defen-
tangible: fate. sive tackle Chris Jones form
The Chiefs overcame a a formidable pass rush, and
plethora of injuries just to Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid speaks during a news conference on Thursday, Jan. 30, Mathieu has proven to be
reach this point, including 2020, in Aventura, Fla., for the NFL Super Bowl 54 football game. a game-changer at safety.
a potentially serious knee Associated Press The big question mark this
injury to Mahomes midway season has been the Kan-
through the season. They had fun this year." came within an offside palpable reasons the sas City run defense, and
won their regular-season fi- It's not just the conflu- penalty of reaching the Su- Chiefs believe they will tri- the 49ers bring to Miami the
nale as the Patriots were los- ence of events that have per Bowl last season. umph Sunday. league's second-ranked
ing to the Dolphins, a stun- folks believing in destiny, Much like the Kansas City While the 49ers have one rush offense.
ning set of results that gave though. Royals came within a whis- of the NFL's best defenses, But the Chiefs haven't al-
them a first-round playoff They point to Reid, one of per of winning the World they have yet to face an lowed a 100-yard rusher
bye. They rallied from a the best coaches of his era, Series in 2014, only to get offense with the sheer vol- since Week 12, and they
24-point hole against Hous- who finally gets a chance the job done the follow- ume of playmakers that effectively shut down Ti-
ton, avoided top-seeded to add a Super Bowl title to ing year, folks back in the Mahomes has at his dis- tans star Derrick Henry's his-
Baltimore, then overcame his resume. It was 15 years snowy Midwest have a posal. Hill, Kelce and rookie toric postseason run in the
an early 10-point deficit ago that his Eagles lost to feeling that the Chiefs are returner Mecole Hardman conference championship
to beat Tennessee for the the Patriots in the only other simply due. were all voted to the Pro game.
conference championship. trip "Big Red" made to the "In the NFL, you are going Bowl, Watkins has been a "We've got one more game
"We've had some great big stage. to go through adversity," breakout performer in the to go out there and play
moments," Chiefs coach They point to the Hunt fam- Mahomes said. "Last year, postseason and Williams is with some swagger. That's
Andy Reid acknowledged. ily that owns the Chiefs. It obviously the loss hurt, but dangerous in the backfield what I was telling our guys,"
"I've enjoyed some of these was their founder, Lamar, having to watch the Super and out of it. Mathieu said. "I'm kind of
other teams that I've been who coined the term "Super Bowl and not being in it was Take away one. Or two. Or the older guy in the room
with, too. I'd be slighting the Bowl," and his wife Norma something I could barely even three. But good luck making sure they don't get
guys there. I've had fun with has been to all 54 games even do. For me, I knew taking away all of them. too loud. We've got one
them. We're all honored to played. Their son, chairman I wanted to be in this mo- "You've got to play good more game and we've got
be doing this, as you guys Clark Hunt, has been instru- ment. I think that's what we defense. You've got to to finish the job. If we don't
are. It's a small fraternity, mental in league affairs. preached as a team, we contain the receivers. show up in the next game,
whether it's the media or They point to the players want to be here. We want You've got to do your job," it'll be the same narrative.
the players and coaches. I themselves, most of whom to be in the Super Bowl." 49ers cornerback Richard My job here is to finish the
try to enjoy every day. I've were part of a team that Of course, there are more Sherman said. "You've got job."q