The Miami Dolphins faced the Kansas City Chiefs on January 13 in a cold Wild Card matchup in the 2023 NFL season. Here are takeaways and highlights from the game.
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Final Score: Miami Dolphins 7, Kansas City Chiefs 26
The Kansas City Chiefs managed to handle the Miami Dolphins despite frigid temperatures, Patrick Mahomes‘ helmet shattering, and Andy Reid‘s mustache freezing into icicles. Mahomes and the offense kicked off the show by putting the first points on the board via an 11-yard TD by Rashee Rice.
The score stayed 7-0 until the 2nd quarter when Harrison Butker put the ball through the uprights for three. After that field goal, Miami got the ball back, and Tua Tagovailoa hit Tyreek Hill for 53 yards, resulting in a touchdown. The Chiefs would get two more field goals in the 2nd to take a 16-7 lead at halftime. In the second half of the game, the Chiefs would go on to get another field goal and a touchdown, making the score 26-7.
The Chiefs looked like they had all season but still had enough talent to overcome the offensive shortcomings. Harrison Butker to the rescue as usual. Although, Miami was not looking good at all. They were nowhere near the offensive powerhouse that led the league in yards. Steve Spagnuolo’s defense kept the pressure on Tagovailoa, and by the 3rd quarter, the Dolphins had only managed to rack very few first downs. They were just 1-for-12 on third down and failed to put up a sustained drive until the 4th quarter, but by then, it was too little too late.
Mahomes was 23 for 41 with 262 yards and one touchdown, while Rice had a breakout performance with eight receptions, 130 yards, and one touchdown. Isiah Pacheco added 89 yards and a touchdown to his resume. Travis Kelce managed to make seven receptions for 71 yards.
Tagovailoa was sacked twice and went 20 for 39 for 199 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Several players like Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Raheem Mostert contributed to the offense; however, none stood out or made a difference in the game. One good thing about the Dolphins’ offense is that they didn’t fumble the ball like the Chiefs did.
Kansas City was the better team on the field, and while some might point to injuries Miami had, the players that did make it onto the field could not make a difference.
With this loss, Miami has extended its streak of being unable to get a win during the playoffs to 24 years. Kansas City keeps their back-to-back Superbowl hopes alive for another week.
Highlights
Might be cold… BUT THIS RICE IS ALREADY COOKIN’ 🍚 pic.twitter.com/w9N8NgcBSc
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 14, 2024
🗣️ He’s got Hill!
📺: #MIAvsKC on @peacock pic.twitter.com/FUaUUcZGJb
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) January 14, 2024
SOMEONE’S FEELIN’ FURIOUS 😈 pic.twitter.com/y0vOUEVwur
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 14, 2024
CAN’T. STOP. POP. pic.twitter.com/rS4UUhMMBC
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 14, 2024
Looking Forward
The Chiefs are moving on to play the Buffalo Bills in Buffalo. Their offense will need to be better than they have all season, or even in this game against the Dolphins. The defense has been the team’s mainstay all season, and Spagnuolo needs to keep his boys doing what they have been. Buffalo played it safe against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but they will have to be more aggressive unless Kansas City’s offense finally falls apart in an absolute explosion.
Miami will need to regroup for next season. The front office has much to consider when thinking about the draft and contracts they might want to offer or extend. Many fans question whether Tagovailoa is the quarterback to get them past the first round of the playoffs. The front office will need to see a team free of injuries before making any significant decisions. He’s the QB for the foreseeable future, and they need to put more weapons around him and get their defense rolling as well.
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