What Chiefs stars think the team is overlooking as they chase NFL history

Heading into the 2024 NFL season, all eyes are on the Kansas City Chiefs.

Two consecutive Super Bowl champions. The stars on the roster are more important than the game itself. Most importantly, the NFL is poised to become the first team in history to win three consecutive Super Bowls.

The pressure was on for Kansas City, but when the regular season ended, the Chiefs were tied for first in the AFC with a 15-2 record, the best record in the AFC.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey celebrates after scoring a goal against the New Orleans Saints at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. (Danny Medley – Image)

But throughout the season, as the wins piled up, there was a legion of fans who mocked the team, minimizing the team's success because the victory was so close, and the “refs were on their side” conspiracy theory was fully exploited.

So as the Chiefs prepare for this week's divisional round game against the Houston Texans, Fox News Digital wants to know how players feel about the regular season under intense pressure and scrutiny, even if the final record speaks for itself.

What did this team overlook?

Super Bowl odds: Lions favored to win it all; Ravens, Bills up

“I would say the resiliency of this team,” three-time Pro Bowl center Creed Humphrey told Fox News Digital, while also discussing his time with teammates Chris Jones and Xavier Worthy on Characters in Doritos' “Super Bowl Rush” advertising campaign. “Win games against close games, one-point games, two-minute drives. Win games through defensive stops. In all of those situations, we performed our best. That comes from what you do in the offseason. The work that was done.”, through training camp, all those things.

“The resiliency you build through those dog days of camp and things like that. It shows up for us week in and week out and it's something we practice a lot – those clutch situations. I'm glad we were able to rise to the occasion. “

Jones, the Chiefs' defensive captain and game-breaking defensive tackle, couldn't agree more with Humphrey, especially since injuries have forced so many guys to step up during the season.

“We've had a lot of injuries throughout the season, a lot of big players,” Jones explained, talking about the offense, which saw Lahi Rice, Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and Isiah Pacheco all suffer serious injuries. of injuries.

“We've been able to adjust and continue to build on that, which is not an easy thing to do. When your best receivers go down, your starting running backs go down. There's a lot of factors that play a role in that. We We've been able to continue to build, but we've had a lot of adversity this season.”

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones leaves the game against the New Orleans Saints at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. (Danny Medley – Image)

One of those players was Worthy, a first-round draft pick of the Chiefs who set a new NFL Scouting Combine record in the 40-yard dash. Worthy's speed has been a weapon in head coach Andy Reid's offense, and while it took him some time to adjust to the NFL, he struggled with star quarterback Patrick Mahomes a week before the recent playoffs. The chemistry has gotten better.

Battling adversity in the NFL, especially when a key player goes down, means the next guy has to step up. This is Worthy, and he's ready to continue building a successful regular season.

“I just want to be myself,” Worthy said of his first playoff trip. “Continuing to grow and grow as a player in this league. I feel like that's the most important thing and where guys have trouble is they look at the end goal versus their own journey. I just want to take a week and a week. Do what I do.”

2024 NFL All-Pro Team: Lamar Jackson, Jamaal Chase, Justin Jefferson and more

Worthy is a prime example of what Jones points to this group of Chiefs: strong character.

Like the Chiefs, the team has built its character by winning 15 consecutive single-game games since last season. While naysayers viewed the Kansas City game in a negative light, the team did the exact opposite.

Staying undefeated in blocked field goals against the Denver Broncos was no fluke. When Nick Bolton went down on fourth-and-short against the Atlanta Falcons for the win it wasn't because he knew what was coming next.

Of course, the Chiefs have had some luck this season. Could Isaiah's toe go out of bounds on the game-tying touchdown run on the final play of Week 1? Yes, the Chiefs' win did involve a bit of luck, but sometimes that's what happens in this crazy game.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy gains yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. (Barry Reger – Image)

The pressure, naysayers and anything else that could negatively impact the Chiefs will only intensify as they chase history.

But these Chiefs players will continue to transcend New England Patriots-level villain roles.

“I think it gives us a competitive advantage because we know everyone is against us. Knowing no one wants us to win,” Jones said. “…Personally, it feels like it gives us an advantage over other people because it feels like we’re against the world.”

Help Doritos change the lives of Super Bowl fans

While Super Bowl ads are always a highlight of the “big game,” Jones, Humphrey and Worthy all agreed they don't want to see them after they air. That means they're in contention for the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

But these Chiefs saw some of the fan-made ads that are part of Doritos' signature “Rush to the Super Bowl” campaign, a competition that challenges fans to create better ads than advertisers, as several Millions of people believe they can.

The Chiefs previewed the semifinalists, including the three ads selected as finalists in the $1 million competition.

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones takes the field before the game against the New Orleans Saints at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. (Jay Biggerstaff – Image)

Click here to get the Fox News app

“There are multiple ads that I actually really like…I think they all have their own uniqueness,” Jones said. “It was a fun environment where we were able to cast them as a team and have a laugh and criticize each of them. But also feel deeply involved in the process.”

Humphrey added: “Everyone in the room liked a different part of each ad. That's the cool part about it. The fans did a great job creating these ads this year.”

Follow Fox News Digital Sports coverage on Xand subscribe to Fox News Sports Gathering Newsletter.