Getting back to the big game is remarkable for the Chiefs, who endured a tough 3-5 stretch starting in late October and watched Mahomes struggle and produce the least efficient passes of his illustrious career. How exactly did Kansas City rise to the Super Bowl? Here are 10 reasons:

1. Patrick Mahomes is undeniable in the playoffs

This is not just a guess. It’s backed up by the numbers. KC’s offense is noticeably more efficient in the postseason than it was in the regular season, and Mahomes is the captain of that ship. The future Hall of Fame quarterback is now 14-3 as a playoff starter with 39 touchdown passes in just seven picks.

Like his QB, the Chiefs’ star tight end saves some of his best work for the brighter lights. Despite a “quiet” 980-yard receiving season, he hit a new gear in the playoffs, recording at least seven catches for 70 yards in each of KC’s postseason wins at age 34. It remains practically uncoverable.

3. The defensive front is a strength

It always comes back to the trenches, and the Chiefs have two of the best pocket busters in the NFL in Chris Jones and George Karlaftis. The former had a quiet stat sheet against Baltimore, but has made his presence felt all year, combining for 24 sacks in the regular season and playoffs thus far.

4. Andy Reid has not given up running

The Chiefs offense runs through Mahomes and Kelce, but tough ball carrier Isiah Pacheco has kept them more balanced than usual. While he struggled to find big gains against Baltimore, his heavy workload takes a toll on opponents due to his unique brand of physicality.

5. The secondary is peak-shaped

If Chris Jones is the face of the Chiefs defense, the back end is the backbone of the unit, with cornerback L’Jarius Sneed leading the charge as a violent but disciplined perimeter man. Safety Justin Reid and linemate Trent McDuffie have also been stellar in crunch time.

6. Steve Spagnuolo is in top form

Not only is the defensive coordinator staff thriving, but they are making all the right calls, especially to create pressure. The veteran coach has been well-regarded for years, but is in the midst of the most productive defensive end stretch of his entire career.

7. They cleaned the foundations

Earlier this year, KC’s inability to field a reliable receiving corps was a running joke around the league, with starters missing critical plays due to mistakes like drops and misalignments. In the last half of the year and especially in the playoffs, the Chiefs have played smart, controlling the ball and the clock.

8. Mahomes has a #1 WR again

While rookie Rashee Rice took a slight backseat to Kelce against the Ravens, the first-year pass catcher remained a primary target for Mahomes with eight catches, solidifying his role as the club’s top backfield option. He has now made eight passes four different times since Thanksgiving weekend.

9. Two of their three playoff opponents failed

Nothing against the Chiefs, but it helped that both the Dolphins and Ravens, two of the most explosive offenses in the NFL in 2023, basically had no answers for KC’s defense in the postseason. Tua Tagovailoa and Lamar Jackson combined for just 17 points in their losses to the Chiefs.

10. Remarkably, they are better when they count

Nobody, deep down, was betting with confidence against the Chiefs, but Mahomes is now 10-1-1 against the spread when he enters as the oddsmakers’ underdog. He and Reid are this generation’s version of the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick Patriots, who should never, ever be written off.

Super Bowl LVIII goes down February 11th on CBS. The game will also air on Nickelodeon and air on Paramount+.