Kansas City Chiefs become true dynasty, as Patrick Mahomes' third title puts him on Tom Brady pace

LAS VEGAS -- From the moment the overtime drive began, the Kansas City Chiefs were thinking touchdown. Their defense was exhausted, but had managed to hold the San Francisco 49ers to a field goal to start the extra period. A Chiefs field goal would have continued the game, but that is not how champions think.

"Our mindset was, Go win it right now," Patrick Mahomes said.

Matt Nagy, his offensive coordinator, was on the field moments after Mecole Hardman caught the winning 3-yard touchdown pass.

"We knew having it in 15's hands, we were going to have a chance to win it," Nagy said. "We have been saying all year long, we've been calloused for these moments. What a fitting end to us having the ball on offense after the ups and downs this year, to have the ball to win it and we did it."

The Chiefs' 25-22 OT victory over the 49ers makes Kansas City the first back-to-back champion since the New England Patriots did it nearly 20 years ago. And, with a third title in five seasons, it makes the Chiefs the first post-Pats dynasty. This victory, this season, felt different than the previous two Lombardi runs. The Mahomes-led Chiefs had never looked as vulnerable as they had this season -- much as they did for a large portion of Super Bowl LVIII itself -- and the spotlight had never burned brighter, whether it was on Taylor Swift at their games, or the mistakes that threatened to wreck their season long before the playoffs even started.
 
"It means more," Mahomes said. "To be able to battle through the adversity, it prepared us for the playoffs."

"Adversity" was the word a lot of Chiefs used in the aftermath of Sunday night's triumph at Allegiant Stadium. They'd had to lean on their defense for much of the season, as their offense