Heading into the 2024 NFL season, the Kansas City Chiefs were under immense pressure to win their third consecutive Super Bowl. With a roster full of stars and a 15-2 regular season record, the team was favored to make history. However, some fans questioned the team’s success, citing close wins and the “refs were on their side” conspiracy theory.
As the Chiefs prepare for their divisional round matchup against the Houston Texans, the players themselves have spoken out about their regular season and the pressure they faced. According to three-time Pro Bowl center Creed Humphrey, the team’s resiliency has been key to their success.
“We’ve shown up and played our best ball in those critical situations,” Humphrey said. “That comes with the work you put in through the offseason, through training camp, all those things. That resiliency you building through those dog days of camp and stuff. It’s shown week after week for us, and it’s something we practice a lot – those critical situations.”
Defensive captain Chris Jones agreed, noting that the team’s ability to adjust to injuries and adversity has been crucial. “We’ve been able to adjust and continue to build off that, and that’s not an easy task,” Jones said. “When your best wide receiver goes down, your starting running back goes down. There’s a lot of factors that can play within that. We’ve been able to continue to build, and we’ve faced a lot of adversity this season.”
First-round draft pick Xavier Worthy has also been a key contributor to the team’s success. Despite taking some time to adjust to the NFL, Worthy has developed a strong chemistry with star quarterback Patrick Mahomes and is ready to continue building off his successful regular season.
“I’m just looking to be myself,” Worthy said. “Continue to build and grow as a player in this league. I feel like that’s the biggest thing, where guys get in trouble with it is [when] they look at the end goal versus their own journey. I just want to take it week by week and do what I do.”
The Chiefs’ strong character has also been a key factor in their success. The team has won 15 straight one-score games, dating back to last season, and has shown the ability to adapt to adversity. As they chase history, the pressure and scrutiny will only increase, but the Chiefs are ready to face whatever comes their way.
“I think it gives us a competitive edge, knowing everybody is against us,” Jones said. “Knowing that nobody wants us to win. For me personally, it feels like it gives us an edge against everybody else because it feels like us against the world.”
