The Chiefs will have to go for all or nothing on January 13. Defending champions are going against the Dolphins in the NFL playoffs wild card round. The game is set to take place on a freezing snowy Arrowhead Stadium, where the temperature could drop as low as -19°C during the 7 PM kickoff.

The game is also a Kansas City return for Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill. He will be a key factor in determining which side gets to continue their season. What are the other key match-ups that might determine the outcome of the record-breaking cold game?

Key match-ups for Chiefs vs Dolphins

Patrick Mahomes vs Tua Tagovailoa

One is the best QB of the season, and the other one is the best from the past season but has largely failed to live up to his name. Mahomes, despite his struggles, boasts an 11-3 playoffs record, 2 Super Bowls, and is a different beast altogether in the postseason.

However, he has to counter Tagovailoa’s accurate catapult system to give the Chiefs an edge. Tua has accumulated 4624 yards, found his target 388 times for 29 touchdowns, and boasts a passer rating of 101.1. This will be the ultimate match-up that sets the tone for the contest.

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Travis Kelce vs Dolphins’ pass defense

Just like every other Chiefs player, Kelce didn’t have the season he wanted. In fact, he might be having his worst-ever season since he started for the team in 2014. But just like Mahomes, Kelce is a big game player, and his 16 receiving touchdowns in 18 playoff games is a testament to that.

But the Dolphins pass defense has been onto something else this season. They are 3rd in terms of total sacks at 56, and a top 10 defense in rushing, passing, and total defense. All without the service of defensive lineman Jaelan Phillips. Kelce has some work to do if he wants to overcome the Dolphins’ back line.

Tyreek Hill vs Chiefs’ run defense

Tyreek Hill is the ultimate receiving threat in the NFL. With his blazing speed and unmatched game sense, the Cheetah can’t be stopped when he catches up speed. With 13 touchdowns from 119 receives and 1799 yards, he’s pretty much the league’s best WR.

But the Chiefs have arguably one of the league’s best defenses, which has kept them into the game all season. They rank #2 on total defense, #4 on passing defense, #2 on scoring defense, have 2nd least points allowed per game at 17.3, and 2nd most sacks at 57. Even for Cheetah, his old team possesses too much of an obstacle.

Raheem Mostert vs Chiefs

Mostert has been the Dolphins’ 2nd most productive player after Tagovailoa, with 18 rushing touchdowns. In the league too, only 49ers‘ McCaffrey is close to him in terms of output. But he has a killer defense to overcome in a freezy Arrowhead for the above-mentioned reasons.

The pass-rusher’s only hope is that the Chiefs lack a gigantic offensive lineman unlike most of the NFL sides, and partially for that reason the team is only the 17th most effective side in terms of rushing defense.

Dolphins offense vs Chiefs total defense

The Dolphins arguably feature the NFL’s most fierce offensive unit, combining Tagovailoa, Hill, and Mostert. The latter two combined make up for more touchdowns than the QB has thrown for, the only side in the playoffs. Hill’s Chiefs’ connection is an added reason for concerns for the defending champions too.

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But the Chiefs, once again, possess a defense that quite effectively took them to the playoffs. Despite the considerable leaks in rush-blocking, they are a tough nut to crack. However, the Chiefs better not forget what happened the last time they took part in a snowy game, at October end in Denver. For all the past efforts the Phins have made, this might be their time to overcome Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs.

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