Chiefs offense peak at the perfect time in a way that was unthinkable during the regular season

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For a good chunk of 2023, the million-dollar question surrounding the Kansas City Chiefs was what’s wrong with the offense?

Going from a unit ranked first in the league for yards-per-game in 2022 (413.6) to #9 this season is a head-scratcher (351.3).

There were many contributing factors to their offensive woes throughout the regular season.

Numerous drops from receivers, mental errors and unnecessary penalties all played a part.

There’s no denying that 2023 was an off-year for numerous Chiefs.

For all of the bad they that we from them offensively though, they seem to be catching fire at the right time.

Saving their best for last

There was a time when Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said their struggles on that side of the ball were “fixable”.

We didn’t see many issues fixed during the regular season, but it’s been a different story in the playoffs.

Patrick Mahomes threw for fewer touchdowns (27) than in any previous season in 2023 while also tossing more interceptions (14).

Travis Kelce saw his run of seven successive 1,000-yard seasons end, Marquez Valdes-Scantling made a costly drop, and Kadarius Toney negated a potential game-winning score in what may be most famous offside penalty in NFL history.

Across the board, the Chiefs were underwhelming offensively in 2023, given their incredibly high standards.

A big reason why this team even made the playoffs is because of their sparkling defense.

However, postseason football is a time to forget all your past troubles and start fresh.

The Chiefs look like a born-again offensive unit to this stage of the playoffs.

Mahomes and Kelce connected for two touchdown passes on Sunday in Buffalo, with the Chiefs QB posting a 131.6 passer rating.

Isiah Pacheco tore through the Bills’ run defense, averaging 6.5 yards-per-carry with a touchdown, having found the end zone in both playoff games.

Rashee Rice, who had numerous drops in the regular season, has 177 receiving yards with a touchdown in two playoff games.

Mahomes, meanwhile, has yet to toss an interception in the playoffs and is third regarding passing yards.

Better Late Than Never

On Sunday, in hostile territory, Mahomes and the offense won the day.

Its true Steve Spagnuolo’s crew made some great adjustments, but Mahomes and co were the difference.

James Cook did plenty of damage on the ground in the opening 30 minutes, as the upstart Bills with Josh Allen came out swinging in the opening half.

The KC defense was reeling in the first 30 minutes, but Mahomes and the offense had an answer time and again.

During the regular season, the Chiefs put up 350 yards of offense in less than half of their games.

They had 409 total yards in the playoff victory over Miami and 361 in Buffalo.

When you look at what KC’s done in the postseason on offense one can’t help but think of the famous phrase “better late than never”.

Its seemingly come out of nowehere which makes it even more remarkable.

They’ll face a significant challenge in the AFC Championship Game next Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.