Defensive coach Bob Sutton has paid the price for the Kansas City Chiefs failing to make the Super Bowl as he was fired just 48 hours after their AFC Championship defeat to the New England Patriots.
The Chiefs' defence could not stop Tom Brady and the Patriots from making the Super Bowl after allowing 524 yards and 36 first downs during their 37-31 overtime defeat at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kansas City were the top-ranked AFC team after a 12-4 regular season record but their defence struggled all year when finishing second-last in total defence and 24th in scoring defence.
- Brady booked ninth Super Bowl spot
- Rams sinks Saints in overtime
- Super Bowl odds: Rams 11/10 | Patriots 8/11
While Patrick Mahomes and the offence continued to score points, it was the defence that crumbled late on against the Patriots as they allowed some crucial third down conversions as Brady led his team on his late scoring drives.
That inability to stop a team when it mattered, coupled with a poor regular season performance, has seen Sutton pay with his job.
"Bob is a good football coach and a great person," Kansas City coach Andy Reid said in a statement. "He played an integral role in the success of our team over the last six seasons.
They won the coin toss. Then the game.
— NFL (@NFL) January 21, 2019
Every play from the OT drive that sent the @Patriots to the @SuperBowl! #SBLIII #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/iyGCYeTYSx
"I've said before that change can be a good thing for both parties, and I believe that is the case here for the Chiefs and Bob.
"This was not an easy decision, but one I feel is in the best interest of the Kansas City Chiefs moving forward."
Again, in overtime, the defence could not stop Brady as he marched his team 75 yards for the game-winning touchdown.
The Chiefs' defence almost won them the game in normal time as Charvarius Ward grabbed a late interception with Kansas City ahead, only for the play to be wiped off by a careless offside penalty against the Chiefs' Dee Ford.
