"But advanced stats cannot even capture just how unbelievably lucky the Chiefs were last season. Including playoffs, 12 of their 17 wins were by one score. They beat the Broncos on a blocked chip-shot field goal. They beat the Ravens because Isaiah Likely's toe was out of bounds in the end zone. They would've lost to Tampa if the Bucs had just gone for a two-point conversion late in regulation."
"They doinked in a field goal to beat the Chargers. Patrick Mahomes, his own decline accelerated by the team's collapse around him, has been saved by an absolutely obvious, hilarious attempt by the league to prop him up. Give Mahomes credit: He is a tremendous flopper, a level of commitment to and excellence at the performance that I can only compare him to Rivaldo."
The Kansas City Chiefs finished 15-2 and won the Super Bowl but their success rested largely on extraordinary luck and fortunate officiating. Statistical measures show the Chiefs overperformed expected wins by the largest margin since the merger. Twelve of 17 total victories were one-score games decided by blocked kicks, marginal out-of-bounds rulings, fluke field goals, and opponent mistakes. Patrick Mahomes benefited from favorable calls and has displayed theatrical flopping, while the surrounding roster and team performance regressed. Several playoff wins hinged on penalties or opponent errors rather than decisive superiority. The Super Bowl victory included limited effectiveness and reliance on narrow plays.
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