The Chiefs: A winning team with a strong culture
Adapted from “Crain & Co.,” February 12, 2024.
Jake Crain:
It was an ugly game early. When there is a postseason format — where it’s sudden death or whether it’s win or go home and whether that be March Madness, the NFL playoffs, or college baseball and the Regionals — it’s the teams that can win in the most ways that are able to not only survive, but thrive. If you go back and watch every game the Chiefs played in the playoffs, they won each one a different way, but they won each game as a team.
Your defense may not play well for four quarters, but they need to play well when it counts. Your special teams may not play well for a half, but they have got to play well when it counts in the second half. And the Chiefs did not make the devastating mistakes that the 49ers made at the end of the game. It just goes to show that a winning culture and a winning DNA is a real thing.
I thought the Chiefs were going to win this game the whole time — because they’ve proven it. But I think the main thing you can take away from this is most teams lose games. They do not win them, even the elite teams.
David Cone:
That’s why we said coming in, it’s not just enough against a generational talent like Patrick Mahomes to just come in and shut down the run. It seemed like the Chiefs could win this game if they rushed for zero yards. While yes, the yards would be nice to have, it was not going to be enough to just come in and say, “Oh, you know what, let’s just shut down Travis Kelce,” because the last couple of weeks, Patrick Mahomes hit Marquez Valdes-Scantling for a few huge plays and Clyde Edwards-Helaire on some big plays too. He’s just proven that he can do that time and time again, especially in the post-season and down the stretch all the way.
Even in the fourth quarter and overtime, it felt like if the 49ers allowed free release and zone coverage, then Mahomes was just going to take that all day on the outside — hitch routes, hook routes, all of that. But if the 49ers got up and pressed, even in two man, then Mahomes was just going to have a field day with the mesh concepts, which he hit Kelce on. Then in overtime, press coverage, he took off with his legs and got huge first downs with his feet. So, he was going to get you coming or going down the stretch of the game.
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Jake Crain:
A lot of people will look at that dropped punt that the Chiefs recovered and say that was the mistake that cost them the game. But do not forget, it is a fourth quarter game. The San Francisco 49ers got the ball first, and they were driving it right down the Chiefs’ throats. Christian McCaffrey fumbled inside the Red Zone to give the Chiefs the ball, and there were lost points there — plus a turnover on an interception from Patrick Mahomes right out of the gate in the second half at midfield and they were not able to turn that into any points. Those are the things, outside of the blatantly obvious, that cost you games against a guy like Patrick Mahomes. You nearly have to play perfectly.
Blain Crain:
There were a couple of drives Kyle Shanahan didn’t run the ball one time. He had the most success in this game leaning on Christian McCaffrey. He had two full drives when the momentum was with him when he didn’t run the ball one time with McCaffrey, the best player he had.
The big key to me in this game was when it all changed. At halftime, the 49ers were winning in every aspect, in my opinion. Who had one reception at halftime? Travis Kelce. What happened? In the second half, the guy had 80 yards through the air. Patrick Mahomes goes when Travis Kelce goes.
I think losing Dre Greenlaw was huge for the 49ers — he and Fred Warner are the best linebackers in the league. But the big thing in this game is Patrick Mahomes is Patrick Mahomes. I picked the Chiefs every game in the playoffs. Every game. Not because I wanted to, but because I knew that though they can be atrocious in the regular season — at times they were and their offense was extremely bad — but when it matters most, when there’s a guy in the corner open for the three and it’s Patrick Mahomes, it’s going in. He is going to make the shot. Then you add Andy Reid and Travis Kelce. There are not any huge names that made the difference for the Chiefs. Just the Chiefs made the difference.
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Jake Crain is co-host of Crain & Company, the Daily Wire’s sports show hosted by former athletes and coaches Jake Crain, Blain Crain, and David Cone. Follow him: @JakeCrain_
Blain Crain is co-host of Crain & Company at The Daily Wire and a former wide receiver for Western Colorado University. Follow Blain: @Blain_Crain
David Cone is a co-host and producer of the Daily Wire’s sports show Crain & Company, as well as a contributor to Morning Wire. David is also a former quarterback for the University of Michigan. Follow him: @davidadamcone
What key factors made it difficult for the 49ers to contain Patrick Mahomes and his dual-threat abilities?
At all. That’s just not going to work. When the momentum is in your favor, you have to keep the ball on the ground and control the clock. It seemed like Shanahan got away from that in crucial moments and it cost the 49ers the game.
Also, the decision to go for it on fourth down late in the game instead of kicking the field goal was questionable. Yes, you want to be aggressive and go for the win, but when you have a chance to tie the game and take it into overtime, you have to take it. The 49ers were in a good position to come away with points and potentially win the game, but they took a risk and it didn’t pay off.
David Cone:
You can’t overlook the impact of Patrick Mahomes in this game. He made some incredible plays and showed why he is considered one of the best quarterbacks in the league. His ability to make plays with his arms and his legs was a game-changer. The 49ers had no answer for him.
But let’s not forget the contributions of the Chiefs’ defense as well. They made key stops and came up with turnovers when it mattered most. They were able to contain McCaffrey and disrupt the 49ers’ offense. It was a complete team effort from the Chiefs.
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Jake Crain:
This Super Bowl win for the Chiefs is not just about this season. It’s about building a winning culture and a winning DNA within the organization. They have faced adversity and overcome it. They have shown resilience and determination. This win is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved.
And let’s not forget about the fans. The Chiefs’ fanbase is incredible. They have been there through thick and thin, cheering on their team no matter what. This win is for them as well.
David Cone:
Absolutely. The Chiefs have created something special in Kansas City. They have brought the city together and given them something to be proud of. This championship is just the beginning for this team. With Mahomes leading the way, they have the potential to dominate the NFL for years to come.
In a thrilling Super Bowl matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers, the Chiefs emerged victorious through a combination of strong team play, the brilliance of Patrick Mahomes, and crucial mistakes by the 49ers. Jake Crain and David Cone, analysts on “Crain & Co.” on DailyWire+, discussed the key factors that contributed to the Chiefs’ triumph and the 49ers’ downfall.
Crain emphasized the importance of teams being able to win in various ways in a postseason format. He highlighted the Chiefs’ ability to adapt and find different paths to victory in each playoff game. Crain also emphasized the significance of a winning culture and DNA, exemplified by the Chiefs’ ability to avoid devastating mistakes unlike the 49ers.
Cone acknowledged the challenge of facing a talent like Mahomes, pointing out that shutting down the run alone would not be enough to stop him. Mahomes exhibited his versatility by making crucial plays both through the air and with his legs. Cone highlighted Mahomes’ ability to exploit different defensive strategies, making it difficult for the 49ers to contain him.
Crain also pointed out that while many may attribute the Chiefs’ win to a dropped punt by the 49ers, there were other pivotal moments throughout the game. He highlighted Christian McCaffrey’s fumble inside the Red Zone, missed opportunities to convert turnovers into points, and the need for near-perfection against a quarterback like Mahomes.
Blain Crain expressed his concern over some questionable decisions made by the 49ers, such as not running the ball during crucial moments when McCaffrey had proven to be successful. He also criticized the choice to go for it on fourth down instead of taking the game into overtime, as it ultimately backfired.
Both Crain and Cone recognized the exceptional performance of Patrick Mahomes and the impact he had on the game. Mahomes displayed his skills as a dual-threat quarterback, making game-changing plays that the 49ers struggled to counter. The Chiefs’ defense also received praise for their ability to contain McCaffrey and make key stops.
Crain emphasized that the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win was a culmination of building a winning culture and DNA within the organization. He attributed their victory to resilience, determination, and the unwavering support of their fans. Cone agreed, mentioning the special bond formed between the team and the city of Kansas City.
In conclusion, the Chiefs’ triumph in the Super Bowl showcased their ability to win in different ways, the brilliance of Patrick Mahomes, and the impact of a winning culture. Despite the 49ers’ strong performance, critical mistakes and questionable decisions cost them the game. The Chiefs’ victory is not just a single-season accomplishment but a reflection of their dedication to building something special in Kansas City.
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