Chiefs survive tough Wild West duel in Frankfurt
The old European continent and the USA have been closely linked historically since long before the NFL. After the European settlers had successfully reached and later conquered eastern North America, the westward expansion began. In the 19th century, the "Wild West" was settled ever faster. Also thanks to the fearless and honorable cowboy. At least that's the American narrative, which was and is formative for national identity.
Whether John Wayne or the Marlboro Man, the Americans love their cowboys. Their heroes who accomplish deeds that the average American considers impossible. In a place they call the frontier in the USA. Frontier land. Where, according to US founding myths, a new social order emerged, far from the old continent.
So it is all the more fitting that Patrick Mahomes and his Kansas City Chiefs beat the Miami Dolphins 21:14 in front of 50,023 frenzied fans in Frankfurt, on this very European continent. Because the quarterback is also a kind of cowboy. He embodies the myth like no other in US sport. A leader as well as a hooligan with unique skills. A real gunslinger, someone who loves adventure. His pistol, with which he ensures justice with an iron hand, is his throwing arm. And the Yanks love Mahomes for his wild, spectacular and ripped-off game. Since Tom Brady's retirement, he is the definitive number one superstar in the NFL.
DJ Ötzi, make-out cam, PR faux pas
Mahomes comes prancing onto the pitch, gesticulating wildly as he warms up. First up, of course, highly concentrated and every sinew taut. Applause erupts. The quarterback leads his herd, which trots onto the pitch behind him in an almost too well-behaved manner. His Chiefs bulls, whom he will lead into wild, unexplored territory over the next three hours or so.
Even though both teams go into the game with a record of six wins and two losses, the Chiefs are not just fan favorites in Frankfurt. Since Mahomes became their starting quarterback in 2018, they have been the team to beat in the AFC. And even though the Super Bowl champions faltered against the Denver Broncos last weekend (Cowboy Mahomes also lost his scent several times), they rank fourth in the NFL in both total offense and total defense, making them one of only four teams in the top 10 in both categories alongside Detroit, Philadelphia and San Francisco. The Miami Dolphins may have the best offense in the league, but defensively they are only average (15th).
When it comes to myths and US identity, then of course the obligatory football buzz should not be missing in Frankfurt. Loud party and pop music with glowing cell phone lights, DJ Ötzi and Country Roads alternate. Excessive entertainment including 7-euro beer, the make-out cam and a wedding proposal on live TV with a mascot hug. This is also the NFL in its purest form, albeit less Wild West.
The German fans win the loudness competition against the US fans. Afterwards, oversized flags of the two countries are rolled out, covering almost the entire 100 yards. "United States Military Vocalist" Dana Bowers sings the US national anthem. This is followed by the "Deutschlandlied" according to the official media information sheet. What a faux pas: the NFL is still relatively new in Germany, but the PR department should have asked around better. Fortunately, only the third verse is sung at the end, the German national anthem.
Dusty Wild West fare
Then it finally starts - and Mahomes moves faster than his shadow. It takes him less than three minutes to put his team in front. Like a dominant cow driver, he leads them across the field until Rashee Rice completes a short pass with a run into the end zone to make it 7:0.
But then for a long time: nothing. There was no response from the highly praised Dolphins offense. The defensive lines dominate on both sides after the Chiefs take the early lead. Miami's superstar quarterback Tua Tagovailoa repeatedly has to operate on third-and-long, i.e. many yards on the third attempt until the new first down. His long throws still fail to find any takers and he ends the first quarter without any points.
Punt. Punt. Punt. The defenders on both sides continue to watch out like hell, especially when it comes to preventing the deep passes. There's a lot of rumbling here and there, the offense groans. It's exciting in Frankfurt, but certainly not a footballing treat in the first half. Instead, it's dusty Wild West fare.
Mahomes, an American hero
But Mahomes wouldn't be Mahomes if he couldn't fight his way through this thicket. Again and again, he dances through the opponents with quick steps and orchestrates the first really successful drive since the very first: 13 plays (the Dolphins only have four more in the entire first half at this point), 95 yards, eight and a half minutes. First it's the running game of running back Isiah Pacheco and short, effective passes. Gunslinger Mahomes then knocks out a 23-yard throw that takes his team all the way to the opposing 25-yard line. After a short run by the quarterback, he finds the completely free Jerick McKinnon on the next play, who is allowed to run almost untouched for a touchdown.
Cowboy Mahomes turns and catches his pass receiver in a jubilant sprint within seconds. 14:0 already seems like a comfortable cushion in such a tough game. Once again, the Wild have beaten their opponents' defense. Takes the risk - and wins. Triumphs. Becomes one with the turf, with nature. Noble, noble, unshakeable. Lonely hero. Just a cowboy. USA, USA, USA. Oh!
Back to reality. Some myths are known to move mountains. And so the moment of the game comes in Frankfurt after Patrick Mahomes' borderline pass. Tagovailoa finally finds Tyreek Hill for a deep pass. It looks as if the Dolphins will now get on the scoreboard - but nothing there. Suddenly the game explodes in a way that is only possible in football.
Chiefs and Dolphins turn everything on its head
Trent McDuffie knocks the ball out of Hill's hands and Mike Edwards not only recovers the ball, but also has the presence of mind to throw it back to Bryan Cook. He skilfully dives down the right sideline, then has a clear path and runs 59 yards into the end zone. Touchdown, 21:0 instead of 14:7, what a turn of events. Wow. Mahomes euphorically applauds the defensive men. Now it's a demonstration of power. The fans are back in full force. "What just happened?" the NFL writes on X, formerly Twitter. "An absolutely wild Chiefs touchdown in Frankfurt." Very bitter for the Dolphins, seconds later they go into the dressing rooms at half-time.
But then everything changes again in a matter of seconds, as the myth of the Wild West would have it. Midway through the second half, Tagovailoa and his highly praised offensive men finally get going. Five and a half minutes before the end of the third quarter, they cut the deficit to 7:21 after a beautiful 31-yard pass from the quarterback. Is there still something possible?
Yes, is the quick answer. Because the egg is knocked out of Mahomes' arms deep in his own half and the Dolphins have possession of the ball again. And running back Raheem Mostert powered his way to a touchdown with a spectacular 13-yard run after an extremely annoying penalty for the Chiefs. 14:21, almost out of nowhere! Nobody in Frankfurt saw that coming. The momentum is on the side of the men from Florida 22 seconds before the final quarter.
NFL expansion continues
Now it feels like Clint Eastwood is coming around the corner just before the end, that's how wild the West is in Frankfurt. Lawlessness. Anything can happen. No one is safe. But Cowboy Mahomes and his boys survive.
In the end, the league once again announces what a success the second game in Germany was after the premiere in Munich last year. The NFL will continue its expansion on the old continent. Exactly the opposite of the settlers back then. And fortunately no one was tarred and feathered on this spectacular evening.
In the realm of American football, the Kansas City Chiefs and their charismatic quarterback Patrick Mahomes, often referred to as a cowboy due to his fearless, adventurous playing style, triumphed over the Miami Dolphins 21-14 in a thrilling game held in Frankfurt, Germany. The NFL, where Mahomes is currently the defining superstar following Tom Brady's retirement, showcased their influence in Germany, despite a PR misstep involving the singing of both national anthems.
Despite sharing a record of six wins and two losses before the match, the Chiefs have gained immense popularity among German fans due to Mahomes' leadership. Their exceptional performance in total offense and total defense positions them as a top contender in the NFL, making their clash against the Miami Dolphins an exciting prospect for fans who enjoy the Wild West style of football.
Source: www.ntv.de
