Despite having the youngest defense in the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs made short work of the once-explosive Miami Dolphins in a dominant AFC Wild Card win. A winter weather assist helped, but the efforts of Steve Spagnuolo’s unit proved crucial.
Chiefs’ Defense Holds Dolphins to a Mere 7 Points
The Dolphins were the second-highest-scoring team over the span of the 2023 regular season, averaging 29.2 points on a weekly basis. And yet, in the first round of the AFC playoffs, they were limited to just seven.
A number of factors beyond Miami’s control contributed to the substandard outing. At -4 degrees, the Chiefs-Dolphins game was tied for the fourth-coldest NFL game on record — an unwelcome sight for Miami natives.
The Dolphins also lost Xavien Howard and Jevon Holland to injuries after seeing Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb hit injured reserve.
None of this diminishes what the Chiefs were able to accomplish in their statement playoff win, however. Not only did Patrick Mahomes find his magic again, but on defense, the Chiefs dominated the constricted Dolphins attack at all three levels.
Through the air, the Chiefs held Tua Tagovailoa to under 150 yards passing. Lockdown star CBs L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie erased space for Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle while safeties Justin Reid and Mike Edwards closed the lid overtop.
Just as impressive, if not more, was Kansas City’s disciplined and physical outing against Miami’s rushing attack in the trenches. Raheem Mostert, who tore apart the league in 2023, only logged 33 yards on eight carries.
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Miami’s negative game script played a hand in Mostert’s low production, but the Chiefs’ stifling first-and-second-level defense helped limit Miami’s variability in the harsh conditions. Even if blockers were able to move defensive linemen off their spot, Nick Bolton and Drue Tranquill flowed to the ball with tenacity.
Ultimately, the Dolphins’ hand was forced to the passing game too often. In that predictable game flow, the Chiefs’ secondary smothered Miami’s weapons, while game-wreckers like George Karlaftis — who logged 1.5 sacks — and Chris Jones made life miserable for Tagovailoa in the pocket.
Ultimately, the Chiefs’ defense — while being the youngest in the league — is already ahead of schedule as a true playoff-caliber unit. And with Mahomes and the offense starting to find their stride, that’s a scary thing to think about.
Spagnuolo has always been one of the most exhaustive and aggressive defensive minds in the NFL, and now he has talent at all three levels to manifest his vision. His linemen are powerful and disruptive. His linebackers are proactive and fast-flowing, and his defensive backs are smart, versatile, athletic, and fearless.
Looking ahead, the Chiefs could play either the Buffalo Bills or the Houston Texans, depending on the outcome of the Bills-Steelers matchups. Both teams have high-flying offenses led by dynamic quarterbacks, but the Chiefs’ defense is proving to be a lot to handle.
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