Dolphins Eliminated By Chiefs

     The Miami Dolphins challenged the defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday night at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium and fell 26-7 in the AFC Wild-Card Game. The Dolphins have won just one road game since 1972 and not won a postseason game in 23 years. 

     Both teams had faced each other earlier in the 2023 regular season. The Chiefs were victorious over the Dolphins 21-14 in Frankfurt, Germany in Week 9. 

     Kansas City(12-6) reached the end zone on their first possession at the 11:05 mark of the first quarter. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes tossed an 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Rashee Rice on the right side. They added a 28-yard field goal from Harrison Butker five seconds into the second quarter for a 10-0 advantage. 

     Miami(11-7) got their only score in the contest at 14:01 of the second and trailed 10-7. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa fired a 53-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tyreek Hill on the right side. Hill was facing against his former club. 

     The Chiefs would extend the gap twice more before halftime for a 16-7 lead. Butker booted field goals from 26 yards with 7:39 to go and from 32 yards with 22 seconds remaining in the first half. 

     In the second half, Kansas City increased their lead. Butker kicked a 21-yard field goal with 7:52 left in the third quarter. Running back Isiah Pacheco rushed around the left end from three yards away at 11:06 of the fourth quarter to give the Chiefs a 26-7 lead.