The two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs entered Super Bowl 59 hoping to accomplish what no other team in the modern Super Bowl era has been able to: achieving the coveted three-peat.
What did they leave with? A complete beating from the Philadelphia Eagles, who got their sweet revenge from two years prior.
Seven months later, the Chiefs entered their first home game seeking revenge and to even out their record after a week one loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil.
What did they get out with this time? Another loss to the Eagles, but at least it was a closer, more back-and-forth ordeal.
However, morale is low for fans and Swifties alike. Taylor Swift was not televised during her secret attendance at Sunday’s game and her fiancé dropped the ball, resulting in the interception that ultimately cost the Chiefs the win. The Chiefs join teams like the Carolina Panthers, the Miami Dolphins and the New Orleans Saints at 0-2, the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era.
It’s also the first time since 2014 the team dropped to this position. They currently sit dead last in a division they’ve stood at the top since the 2015-16 season.
What adds salt to the wound is that the Chiefs lost their first two games by narrow margins — six to the Chargers and three to the Eagles.
Kansas City is currently getting a taste of what it’s like to be at the bottom. However, having only played just twice this season, the Chiefs can certainly find ways to rebound.
They just need to keep it together.
Last season, the Chiefs ended their regular season with an impressive 15-2 record — but in no way did the Chiefs look like a 15-2 team.
Some notable wins of the season were decided by the following: a toe out of bounds, a controversial flag on the play, an overtime coin toss, a blocked field goal, an illegal shift and a doink to win the division. Scripted or not, the Chiefs found ways to win their games, no matter how many mistakes they made and how many of their own receivers they injured.
But this season has been filled with outbursts and temper tantrums. Fans speculated that Travis Kelce, visibly upset, scolded his teammates saying he’s “sick of this s–t” on Sunday. At the Eagles’ victory formation, Jalen Hurts told the Chiefs’ Chris Jones to “shut his a– up” after Jones barbed at either Hurts for not exceeding 100 passing yards — which he did accomplish by one yard — or to running back Saquon Barkley, who finished the game with 88 yards.
Nonetheless, Hurts is on the right. It didn’t matter that Barkley wasn’t able to get a triple digit yard day. In the end, the team who wins is the team that earns the most points.
Looking ahead, the Chiefs have a favorable matchup Sunday night against the New York Giants, who have greater struggles of their own.
Although the Giants’ quarterback Russell Wilson had a phenomenal 450-yard, three-touchdown stat line, his lackluster overtime performance cost the G-men their ninth consecutive division loss to the Dallas Cowboys, making some fans indecisive as to who should start next week. Will head coach Brian Daboll continue this hectic ride with Russ, or can fans expect to see Jaxson Dart face off against the Chiefs?
Nonetheless, the Chiefs cannot afford to lose this game. While there’s still questions on how impactful the run game will be, the Chiefs are looking for Xavier Worthy to return from a friendly-fire shoulder injury he suffered in Sao Paulo and have him ease back into his groove before deciding if he can play against the Giants.
Kelce is looking to pick up the pace, as he’s only caught the ball six times throughout his first two games for 108 yards. On the other side of the ball, Chris Jones should be able to lead the defensive front to prevent Tyrone Tracy Jr. from making any big run plays.
But if the Chiefs cave in at a game in which they look to be the overwhelming favorites, that’s when there should be calls for serious concern.
