Thoughts I had on the long drive home...

[IowaHawkeyeChief]

Almost a perfect first half... almost 4 drives 4 TD's. Pat has to throw the ball away and at least get 3. I sit just above the exit where the Bengals were headed for halftime. When we didn't score they were sprinting for the exit, screaming and yelling. This was a complete change in momentum. The crowd was stunned and deflated.

This also affected Pat's play in the second half, he couldn't hit the broadside of a barn, missing simple swing routes and outs by a lot. I never thought I would see him regress like earlier this year. He resorted to his backwards scrambling ways again and it was costly. I love me some Patrick, but this was not near how a future GOAT overcomes adversity.

However, he did seem to get it back at the end of regulation driving us to a 1st and goal at the 5. I was wanting them to use clock, but I will never think that way again when we are trailing. It is wrong. We had the Bengals reeling on their heels and let them catch their breath. Take the lead if behind, clock be damned, or you may never have it.

If you told me the Chiefs held Joe Burrow to 21-36 for 233 yards, 2 TD's and 1 Interception and 24 points in regulation, I would have thought the Chiefs won by 14. He was very pedestrian, and the Defense, despite not getting a ton of sacks, played fairly well. 7 of their points came on a very short field after the Mahomes pick.

As, much as I would like to blame the coaching after half, I think this one is on Patrick. Listening to the press conference with Patrick on the drive home, he said it was an RPO to a pass in the middle of the end zone before the half and he made a bad decision throwing it out to Tyreek. He said the coaches told him to throw it away, if the pass wasn't there, he didn't and it seemed to occupy his thoughts the rest of the game. We had some good plays calls as well in the 2nd half and he just missed folks. The 2nd half pick, seemed to amplify his frustrations and he pressed harder.

The above being said... It is a first world problem to be bitching about losing a OT game in our 4th straight year hosting the AFC Championship game. This one hurt, because it really was inexplicable why this teamdidn't finish for the first time under Mahomes in the playoffs when they were in control and relatively healthy.

Last but not least, it was great to meet many of you at the tailgate today. Chiefsplanet is a good place with good people and we will be back.

EDIT: Also, earlier this week I was laughing at this Chinese Lunar Year of the Tiger bullshit... Go figure.