EXCLUSIVE: Chiefs trounce Dolphins: Patrick Mahomes shatters helmet, but leads KC to dominant win

“We knew it was going to be a cold game and we knew they weren’t used to it,” Sneed said of the Miami Dolphins. “We came out and punched them in the mouth. We saw blood.”

In the opposite corner of the Chiefs’ locker room was left tackle Donovan Smith, a member of the offensive line, a group that spent much of the game stonewalling the Dolphins’ pass rushers. As the game progressed, and the Chiefs continued to build their lead, Smith made what he felt was an astute observation of the Dolphins.

“Obviously, you could feel and see that they felt it over there,” he said, smiling. “That’s why you play the game. You break their will.”

For the Chiefs, Saturday’s game, a dominant 26-7 victory, proved two things: They are better than the Dolphins — and they are better performers in freezing weather.

At kickoff, the temperature at Arrowhead Stadium was minus-4, making the elimination game the fourth-coldest game in the NFL’s 104-year history. The windchill factor, according to NBC, was minus-27. In the middle of the Chiefs’ locker room was quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who made just one change to his usual game-day attire under his jersey and helmet: He wore an older red thermal ski mask, the same one he used in previous playoff games.