Chiefs vs. Dolphins score: Kansas City's defense shuts down Miami's offense to advance to divisional round

Kansas City will either travel to Buffalo or host the Texans in the divisional round

The Kansas City Chiefs keep their dreams of repeating as Super Bowl champions alive. In a frigid Arrowhead Stadium, Patrick Mahomes and company were able to outlast the Miami Dolphins to earn the Super Wild Card Weekend victory and advance to the divisional round, 26-7.

It was a hot start for the Chiefs as they drove 69 yards on nine plays with Mahomes connecting with Rashee Rice for an opening drive touchdown. After that, however, things did start to slow down for both sides as they traded three-and-outs and Tua Tagovailoa tossed an interception before we saw Kansas City add to its lead with a chip-shot field goal from Harrison Butker at the start of the second quarter. 

Down by 10, the Dolphins first -- and only -- gasp of offense came courtesy of Tyreek Hill, who was making his return to Kansas City for the first time since the 2022 trade that landed him in Miami. He hauled in his first target of the game less than a minute into the second quarter and Tagovailoa went back to him on the very next play, which resulted in a 53-yard touchdown to make it a 10-7 game. Unfortunately for the Dolphins, that was the only big threat they were able to inflict on the Chiefs, who plucked field goals of four of the next five drives to extend their lead and ultimately help lead them to the win. 

The backbreaking moment for the Dolphins came at the start of the second half as they trailed by nine. After getting the ball to start the third quarter, the offense logged back-to-back drives where they were forced to punt and managed just 15 yards of total offense. Over that same stretch, the Chiefs posted consecutive scoring drives that tacked 10 more points on the board in their favor, leaving Miami in the dust. 

Coming through on critical downs proved to be the X-factor in this game. While the Chiefs were able to move the chains, the same can't be said for Miami. The Dolphins didn't convert a third or fourth down attempt until the 5:58 mark of the third quarter. For the game, they were 1-for-12 on third down and 3-for-6 on fourth down. As for the Chiefs, they were 6-for-15 on third down and converted their lone fourth down try. 

Mahomes finished 23 of 41 passing for 262 yards and a touchdown while adding 41 yards on the ground. Rashee Rice was his go-to target in the win, catching eight of his 12 targets for 130 yards and a touchdown. As for Miami, Tagovailoa was 20 of 39 for 199 through the air to go along with a touchdown and an interception. Tyreek Hill caught five passes for 62 yards, most of which coming on that 53-yard touchdown in the first half.

For a more detailed breakdown of this head-to-head, check out our main takeaways below.

Why the Chiefs won

One of the big stories following the Chiefs this season was the struggles from the wide receiver group as they led the league in dropped passes. Well, it was a quiet night for the position group as a whole, except for rookie Rashee Rice. In his playoff debut, he proved to be the trusted target for Mahomes, seeing a game-high 12 targets which he turned into 130 yards and a touchdown. He also would've had another score had a penalty not called it back. Having someone other than Travis Kelce -- seven catches for 71 yards -- to lean on for Mahomes could prove to be invaluable as they continue this playoff run. 

Also on the offensive side, Mahomes' mobility came up clutch. He only rushed twice in this game but made both attempts count. He had a 28-yard run in the first half on a fourth down attempt and then scrambled for 13 yards on Kansas City's opening possession of the second half. Both runs set up field goals. The offensive line also did a tremendous job keeping Mahomes upright as the quarterback wasn't sacked once.

Defensively, the Chiefs continue to play at a level not seen in prior seasons under Mahomes and Reid. They stifled Miami's running game and kept the explosive passing game in check. Tyreek Hill did escape for a 53-yard touchdown catch in the first half, but outside of that caught just four of his seven targets for nine yards. 

Why the Dolphins lost

The Dolphins offense couldn't move the ball in key situations. They were horrid on third and fourth down for most of the night and didn't convert on either critical down until midway through the third quarter. They also never made it into the red zone. The backfield was a non-existent threat with Raheem Mostert and De'Von Achane combining for 42 rushing yards on 14 attempts. The passing game was also out of rhythm for most of the night as well with Jaylen Waddle only hauling in two catches, while Tyreek Hill was largely silent outside of quick burst in the second quarter that we noted above.

Miami's injuries on defense also seemed to finally catch up to them, specifically off the edge. With the likes of Jaelan Phillips (torn Achilles in Week 12) and Bradley Chubb (torn ACL in Week 17) sidelined, Mahomes had all day to throw the football, which is a death sentence for any defense. Vic Fangio tried to disrupt the Chiefs quarterback with tons of blitzes, but couldn't get home with the likes of Emmanuel Ogbah, Justin Houston, and Melvin Ingram.

Turning point

The start of the second was where all hope of the Dolphins pulling off a comeback evaporated. They got the ball to start the third and went three-and-out on a drive that lasted just 99 seconds. The defense was able to hold the Chiefs to a field goal on the ensuing drive to keep the deficit to a more manageable 12 points but needed to start sparking up scoring drives. Mike McDaniel recognized that judging by keeping his offense on the field for a fourth-and-1 attempt from the Miami 34-yard line on that next drive, which they would convert. However, the offense sputtered over the next few plays, including that save from Chris Jones and George Karlaftis above that set up a third and long, which they failed to convert.  

Play of the game

Patrick Mahomes made a couple of stellar plays with his legs in the win (including one where he broke his helmet). The most impactful came on a fourth-and-4 situation where Andy Reid left his offense on the field. With his receiver bottled up, Mahomes escaped the pocket and not only picked up the first down but ran 28 yards down the field to set up an eventual field goal that extended the Chiefs lead. 

What's next

From here, the Chiefs will now wait for the results of Monday's rescheduled matchup between the Steelers and Bills. If Buffalo comes out of that game with a win, Kansas City will head to Orchard Park for the divisional round. If Pittsburgh pulls off the upset, C.J. Stroud and the Texans will travel to Arrowhead next week.

[Jan 13, 2024 at 11:17 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

The Dolphins will pick between 19 and 21 in the first round, depending on the results of the rest of the wild card games. They could probably use some more help along the offensive line, and both up front and in the secondary on defense.

[Jan 13, 2024 at 11:12 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

With Kansas City moving on, here's how things will go for the next round in the AFC:

• If Buffalo wins on Monday: Ravens vs. Texans in Baltimore, Bills vs. Chiefs in Buffalo.
• If Pittsburgh wins on Monday: Ravens vs. Steelers in Baltimore, Chiefs vs. Texans in Kansas City.

[Jan 13, 2024 at 11:10 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

That will essentially do it. If the Chiefs get one first down they can probably just kneel the clock out. 

[Jan 13, 2024 at 11:08 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

I think the Dolphins are gonna have to go quite a bit faster than this, folks. Probably try to take a few shots deep down the field trying to get a quick score, instead of these short and intermediate passes.

[Jan 13, 2024 at 10:59 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Alright, the Dolphins will get one more chance. They have to score, recover an onside kick, score again, recover another onside kick, and score again. All in 5 minutes and 20 seconds. Seems unlikely! 

[Jan 13, 2024 at 10:54 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Miami's offense has basically made one play tonight, and it was Tyreek catching an underthrown deep ball through a pass interference penalty. Other than that, it's just been tough sledding the whole way.

[Jan 13, 2024 at 10:51 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

This should be quickly overturned. Forward pass that hit the offensive lineman in the helmet.

[Jan 13, 2024 at 10:49 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

That was Tua's longest run of the year.

[Jan 13, 2024 at 10:47 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

The Dolphins FINALLY have their first third-down conversion of the game. Took until 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter.

[Jan 13, 2024 at 10:41 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Jevon Holland's absence felt on that third-down pass to CEH. Elijah Campbell couldn't get the RB to the ground before giving up the first down. And then Pacheco scores on a classic Chiefs low-red-zone trickeration play on the next slap. That'll probably seal it.

[Jan 13, 2024 at 10:38 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

That is a BRUTAL penalty on Christian Wilkins. And a pretty weak call, at that. Plus a rather obvious missed holding call that Justin Houston should have drawn on the opposite side.

[Jan 13, 2024 at 10:36 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

It's almost hard to believe the Chiefs didn't give Rashee Rice more than 49% of their snaps until Week 7, and didn't give him more than 70% until Week 14. He is so clearly their best wide receiver.

[Jan 13, 2024 at 10:30 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

That... probably should have been pass interference on Jalen Ramsey. He ran through Richie James' back before the ball got there.

[Jan 13, 2024 at 10:28 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

That is now the second time Mecole Hardman has pulled up on a deep ball that should have been a touchdown. No idea what he is doing. 

[Jan 13, 2024 at 10:23 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Second sack tonight for George Karlaftis. Chiefs sent too many rushers for the Dolphins to block and Tua just had to eat it.

[Jan 13, 2024 at 10:21 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

The Dolphins pretty much had to go for that. Down two scores and haven't been able to stop KC from moving the ball, even if they've gotten red-zone stops. They finally got a conversion on third or fourth down after starting 0-7.

[Jan 13, 2024 at 10:15 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Another red-zone stop for the Dolphins defense. The Chiefs are now 1-5 in the red zone, where they are typically very good but were only average (54.1%) this year. Miami needs to get something going offensively.

[Jan 13, 2024 at 10:14 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

How are they letting Mahomes play with a broken helmet? (Okay, they're not. Thankfully.)

[Jan 13, 2024 at 10:12 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Rice: 7-102-1. Kelce: 7-71-0. The rest of the team: 5-40-0.

[Jan 13, 2024 at 10:07 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Well, a Rashee Rice injury would be extremely bad news for the Chiefs. They basically have two players who can catch the ball and he's one of them, and he's their best big-play threat at this point -- especially when it comes to generating YAC.

[Jan 13, 2024 at 10:05 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Eli Apple needs to wrap up and bring Kelce to the ground there. Poor form tackling allowed him to pick up the first down instead of setting up third-and-2.

[Jan 13, 2024 at 10:03 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

That's a gorgeous pass over the top of the defense from Mahomes to Noah Gray. Right over Kader Kohou's head.

[Jan 13, 2024 at 10:01 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

The Dolphins are now 0-5 on third downs. You can't win that way.

[Jan 13, 2024 at 9:43 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

So it's 16-7 heading into the break. The Dolphins will get the ball to start the third quarter, and they desperately need to get something going offensively.

[Jan 13, 2024 at 9:40 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Miami's red zone defense has stepped up. Helped by penalties, a drop, and a bad snap, but held KC to three field goals on four trips inside the 20.

[Jan 13, 2024 at 9:36 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

...and there goes Rashee Rice anyway. The dude is so good with the ball in his hands.