The NFL gambled and moved its match-up of the season to Germany. And it didn’t disappoint.
The Tremendous Bowl-champion Kansas Metropolis Chiefs held off a second-half fightback from the Miami Dolphins to win 21-14 at Frankfurt’s Deutsche Financial institution Stadium.
Whereas the build-up was dominated by Tyreek Hill going through his former team-mates and the looks – or in any other case – of pop princess Taylor Swift, the true story was of two juggernauts assembly on a international discipline.
Each groups entered the sport on 6-2, with the Dolphins boasting the NFL’s finest offence, which averaged 33.9 factors per sport. The Chiefs have been ranked No 4 with 23.4.
However Miami had not but overwhelmed a crew with a successful document, dropping towards the Buffalo Payments and Philadelphia Eagles. For a supposed AFC powerhouse, that worrying pattern continued.
Travis Kelce and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs beat the Miami Dolphins in Germany Sunday
Patrick Mahomes discovered 11 totally different receivers to shake off final week’s defeat in Denver
Kelce performed with out the help of girlfriend as soon as once more after the pop star loved a ladies’ evening out in New York Metropolis Saturday with Selena Gomez (proper) and Brittany Mahomes (left)
A lot was made in regards to the Chiefs’ late arrival in Frankfurt, with the Dolphins seemingly having the benefit after touchdown on Tuesday.
Regardless of spending little greater than 48 hours within the metropolis, quarterback Patrick Mahomes seemed lights out to begin with, orchestrating a 75-yard opening drive. It was concluded by rookie receiver Rashee Rice shrugging off 4 flailing tackles for an 11-yard rating – the Chiefs’ first this season on their first possession.
The Dolphins have been barely in a position to keep on the sector, failing to attain on their first three drives for the primary time this season as Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo placed on a clinic.
‘The truth that they’re so good in any respect three ranges, they’re deep. Guys rotate in. They’ll play. It is onerous to get all people snaps, that is how good they’re,’ Mahomes mentioned.
‘It is received to be the highest protection within the NFL. That is an amazing offence. To carry them to 14 factors the place I fumbled in our personal space for seven of these factors, that is an incredible job. I believe they are going to proceed to get higher as a result of they’re younger they usually adore it.’
Miami’s protection have been exhausted by a 13-play, 95-yard drive which took over eight minutes off the clock because the Chiefs stamped their authority.
Rice made an impressive diving catch on third down – one in all solely two within the collection. The opposite noticed Mahomes discovering a large open Jerick McKinnon with a 19-yard landing cross to place Kansas Metropolis 14-0 up on the two-minute warning.
But when that was tiring, the Dolphins have been shattered shortly after by a strip and rating.
Kansas Metropolis solely arrived in Frankfurt on Friday however they instantly checked out house
Tyreek Hill (left) was saved quiet by his former crew, regardless of bragging earlier than the matchup
Hill snared Tagovailoa’s cross on a display screen, however couldn’t keep away from the onrushing Trent McDuffie. Mike Edwards recovered the fumble, lateraled the ball to Bryan Prepare dinner, then made a key block as his fellow security rushed 59 yards for a wild rating.
‘Defensively, what a primary half,’ Chiefs head coach Andy Reid added. ‘What a second half. The fourth quarter was actually one thing, which made a really thrilling. The McDuffie strip of Tyreek, punching the ball out, Edwards selecting it up, Prepare dinner scoring. Does not get any higher than that.’
But with the rating nonetheless at 21-0, there was all of the sudden a glimmer of hope for Miami halfway by the third quarter. Cedrick Wilson Jr outjumped McDuffie to snare Tua Tagovailoa’s 31-yard cross.
Not for the primary time, Mahomes – who threw for 185 yards and two scores – seemed rattled. Bradley Chubb rushed straight by the center for a strip sack, Zach Sieler making the restoration deep in Chiefs territory. It was the fourth consecutive sport with a sack for Chubb, who breathed life into the stadium.
Aided by a pricey penalty by Chiefs defensive finish Chris Jones – his shove on Miami sort out Austin Jackson negated a 3rd down cease – Mostert rushed for a 31-yard rating, solely the third dashing landing Chiefs had conceded this season.
Sport on. And it went to the wire. With slightly over a minute on the clock on fourth and 10, Miami have been on Kansas Metropolis’s 31-yard line.
Star tight finish Kelce was restricted to solely seven yards off three receptions by the Do’phins
With the opportunity of time beyond regulation – or perhaps a two-point conversion in offing – the 50,023 crowd reached fever-pitch. However Tagovailoa fumbled Connor Williams’ poor snap and the gang have been denied their dream finale.
‘I am all the time going responsible myself,’ Tagovailoa mentioned. ‘I’ve received to catch the ball. Whether or not that is getting in a greater place to catch it or no matter it’s, cannot finish the sport like that when we have now a possibility like that towards a very good crew.’
‘I used to be very, very pleased with the resolve,’ added Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. ‘I am very inspired in regards to the crew.
‘Simply to be in that place on that ultimate drive takes lots of – there was lots of expectations not met within the first half, and for these guys to – for the protection to close them out within the second half and solely enable 14 factors and for us to be in that scenario with one minute to go, I believe that is the larger image from the gamers’ perspective.’
