NFL
Mahomes values Chiefs' sixth straight AFC West title as much as ever
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is used to winning with the Kansas City Chiefs and triumphing in the AFC West will never get old.
Patrick Mahomes insists he appreciates "this year as much as ever" after the Kansas City Chiefs wrapped up a sixth consecutive AFC West title on Sunday.
Kansas City had never won back-to-back crowns until their current streak, but they became the first side to claim the AFC West title for six straight seasons after a 36-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Quarterback Mahomes completed 23 of 30 passes for 258 yards with three touchdown passes as the Chiefs improved to an unassailable 11-4 record, ahead of the Los Angeles Chargers (8-4) who fell 41-29 to the Houston Texans on the same day. However, at one point it did not seem like this season's title was on the cards after Kansas City were 3-4 at the end of October, which is why the triumph is even more special to Mahomes.
First goal achieved - Mahomes
"I do 100 per cent, this year as much as ever," Mahomes responded when asked if he appreciated another divisional success. "You look at the AFC West [and] every team is still battling for a playoff spot. It's a tough division. We have more goals we want to go after, but this was the first one."
Clark Hunt became the Chiefs' chairman in 2006 and he, too, has been astounded by his franchise's recent dominance. "I remember in those early years being excited any year when we were in the running to win the division," he said. "I never thought about winning the division five or six times in a row."
Kansas City convincingly overcame the underwhelming Steelers as Pittsburgh veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger struggled with 23 of 35 passes for 159 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The Chiefs did so without star tight end Travis Kelce, who is on the reserve/Covid-19 list, and coach Andy Reid was delighted after his side reached the postseason for the eighth season out of nine under his leadership. "We don't take any of those experiences for granted at all," he said. "There's a lot of sweat that goes into this, a lot of effort. I'm proud of our guys, how they handled it. I'm proud of our coaches, how they handled it."