[needle]

The game did not *really* start until the fourth quarter, and it felt to me like the Chiefs--Reid, Spags, Mahomes et al--just played with a superior level of confidence that mainly (only?) arrives after having won the damn thing before. I didn't see any hesitation in key moments, specifically when it came to coaching decisions. Certainly, the Chiefs weren't flawless. I think it was a mistake on their final drive in regulation to waste so much clock without calling a time out at about 30 seconds. But it also seemed like they were supremely confident they would win the game in OT.

I feel gutted for McCaffrey, whose fumble is leading off every highlights package I've seen tonight but who really played with a physicality tonight that shows a mental toughness. Fumbles happen to every running back who has ever lived, I think, and otherwise McCaffrey really showed out.

Kudos go to Justin Reid, whose nine combined tackles were second on the Chiefs. He was also credited for half a sack and a QB hurry, and he's clearly a key cog in what is an outstanding secondary. If there is an underrated sequence in this game, it is the Chiefs forcing a three-and-out after the Mahomes interception at the start of the third quarter.

[needle]

The game did not *really* start until the fourth quarter, and it felt to me like the Chiefs--Reid, Spags, Mahomes et al--just played with a superior level of confidence that mainly (only?) arrives after having won the damn thing before. I didn't see any hesitation in key moments, specifically when it came to coaching decisions. Certainly, the Chiefs weren't flawless. I think it was a mistake on their final drive in regulation to waste so much clock without calling a time out at about 30 seconds. But it also seemed like they were supremely confident they would win the game in OT.

I feel gutted for McCaffrey, whose fumble is leading off every highlights package I've seen tonight but who really played with a physicality tonight that shows a mental toughness. Fumbles happen to every running back who has ever lived, I think, and otherwise McCaffrey really showed out.

Kudos go to Justin Reid, whose nine combined tackles were second on the Chiefs. He was also credited for half a sack and a QB hurry, and he's clearly a key cog in what is an outstanding secondary. If there is an underrated sequence in this game, it is the Chiefs forcing a three-and-out after the Mahomes interception at the start of the third quarter.