Watch: Patrick Mahomes and Tua Tagovailoa hug it out after Chiefs defeat Dolphins in NFL wild card game

The Kansas City Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes started the 2023 NFL season with a loss to the Detroit Lions. They ended the campaign with a narrow win over the Los Angeles Chargers in season finale week. The defending champions have witnessed one of the worst seasons this year after Mahomes became their QB1.

The Chiefs’ season has been marked by a struggling offense throughout the campaign and Pat sustained difficulties in finding rhythm with his O-line. However, the team didn’t falter in their wildcard game against Tua Tagovailoa’s Miami Dolphins. Following the big win, a special moment between Mahomes and Tagovailoa hit the headlines.

Patrick Mahomes and Tua Tagovailoa embrace after NFL wild card clash

The Chiefs showcased their prowess in the playoff race by triumphing over the Dolphins with a convincing 26-7 victory in the AFC Wild Card clash. The teams’ post-game interaction warmed hearts as Patrick Mahomes and Tua Tagovailoa engaged in a display of sportsmanship and mutual respect.

As the Alpine F1 owner celebrated his team’s win, he took a moment to acknowledge Tagovailoa in a gracious post-game hug.

“Hey, hell of a season, dog,” Mahomes commended Tagovailoa as he shook his hand.

Amid the icy conditions, Patrick Mahomes moonlighted as a hero by guiding the offense with precision. His impressive performance included 262 passing yards and a touchdown, complemented by a dynamic 41 rushing yards. This win marked the QB’s 86th career victory by positioning him on a trajectory that, in the long term, could see him challenging Tom Brady’s record.

On the flip side, Tagovailoa faced challenges during the game, and struggled to find his rhythm on the field. He completed 20 of 39 passes for 199 yards align with one touchdown and one interception. The signal-caller encountered a formidable adversary in the Chiefs’ defensive schemes.

Dolphins losing streak at playoffs continues

The Dolphins found themselves in a chilling predicament when they faced Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs in what turned out to be the fourth-coldest game in NFL history. The sub-zero temperatures proved to be an insurmountable obstacle for the team, who struggled to adapt and mustered only 264 yards of offense. Their feeble attempts on the ground yielded a mere 76 rushing yards on 18 attempts.

The 7-26 defeat not only marked the end of the Dolphins’ current playoff run but also added another layer of misery to their postseason history. They haven’t savored the taste of victory in the playoffs since December 30, 2000. It was the time when they triumphed over the Indianapolis Colts in a thrilling 23-17 overtime victory. A staggering 23 years have passed since that memorable win, and the drought continues.

The road to playoff success has been particularly icy for the Dolphins. They haven’t secured a postseason victory away from home since the 1999 season. In a comeback victory against the Seattle Seahawks, the franchise secured a 20-17 win.

Since the win, the Dolphins have endured loss in all their playoff matches. They faced defeats against formidable opponents like the Oakland Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Buffalo Bills in the previous season, and now, the Chiefs have been added to the list.