2) Who will step up for the maligned Chiefs offense? Mahomes is the best magician in the NFL, able to make things work even when the surrounding pieces are struggling. In the crucible of big moments this season, his pass catchers have failed him far too often. Drops, missed routes, penalties. The Chiefs offense hasn’t been able to get out of its own way for most of the season. In the first meeting with Miami, Travis Kelce was held to three catches on four targets for 14 yards. Don’t expect a repeat on Saturday. Kelce has 133 catches, 1,548 receiving yards and 16 TDs in his playoff career, all second-most all time behind Hall of Famer Jerry Rice. Even with the Dolphins focusing on slowing the star TE, expect Mahomes to force feed Kelce the ball early. But the Chiefs offense needs someone to step up. Rooke Rashee Rice has come on strong down the stretch and will need to continue that run. Whether it’s Rice, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Justin Watson, Skyy Moore or Kadarius Toney, if healthy, Mahomes needs someone other than Kelce to stand out against a Jalen Ramsey-led Dolphins D. Miami is extremely banged up on defense entering the postseason, but if the Chiefs don’t execute and avoid the mistakes plaguing them all season, it won’t matter.
3) Who will perform better in the bitter cold? Temperatures at Arrowhead are expected to be in the single digits around kickoff, with the wind chill plunging well below zero. Forecasts can change slightly, but it’s still on pace to be the coldest playoff game in K.C.’s history. Cold isn’t as dramatic a tide turner as snow or rain, but wind could play a significant factor, with gusts up to 22 mph. Eyes will be on how Miami players, who have dismissed concerns this week, handle the extreme temperatures. Hits become more pronounced in the freeze, and if the wind whips, will it ground the passing attacks? If Saturday’s affair becomes an offensive struggle, it would favor the home squad given the Dolphins’ injured defense, which will be without a host of players up front, including Andrew Van Ginkel, Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips.