Laddie Morse
The Kansas City Chiefs have just won back-to-back Super Bowls then went on a 9-game winning streak to open this season, but now that they’ve lost to one of their biggest rivals in the Buffalo Bills and everyone wants to know: What’s Wrong With the Chiefs? When your defense gives up 30+ points, which they haven’t done in what seems like a century, and your offense is unable to sustain the necessary plays and execution to overcome their opponent… then everyone wants to know what’s wrong?
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Coaching
Head Coach Andy Reid stated in his post game press conference that they could have done a better job (0:28):
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At the end of this clip, Reid said he was gald for the INT that Chamarri Connor had but Connor said in his post game remarks that he thught he didn’t play well. Andy Reid went on to say he could have called more running plays (the Chiefs were out rush 104 to 78, but, 55 of those yards were by their QB, Josh Allen).
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(0:09)
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On Monday, Reid admitted he and his coaches could do a better job… that way his players could play faster.
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(0:20)
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The Offense
In an article written by Ron Kopp for ArrowheadPride called, “What to make of the Chiefs’ offense lagging in loss to Bills” he said:
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“The Chiefs scored just twice over the first seven
possessions, but they were unable to find a rhythm
outside of an eight-play stretch that featured rookie
wide receiver Xavier Worthy at his best. Tight end
Travis Kelce and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins
combined for 26 yards and one first down through
three quarters. Four drives ended in three plays or
less.”
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WR Xavier Worthy was targeted four times during the first half which resulted in 61 yards of production. Then in the second half he wasn’t targeted at all. Many are unhappy with Xavier Worthy’s production for the season:
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That was BEFORE the game vs. the Bills. However, Joshua Brisco wrote a piece for SportsIllustrated.com called, “Andy Reid Revisits Missed Connection Between Patrick Mahomes and Xavier Worthy – Who’s to Blame?” in which he quotes Andy Reid as saying:
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“Yeah, if Pat could have seen him earlier, then that’s
part of it, but once you’re there, he [Worthy] could’ve
dragged his foot to keep it in.
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Reid goes on to say:
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He — wide receiver, Xavier Worthy — will be
able to chalk that one up to experience, but again,
what Pat told you is true, and so that combination —
those are the little things, though. You’re talking about
seven points there against a good football team, so
we’ve got to make sure we take care of business on
both ends there.”
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In his article, Joshua Brisco also quoted Patrick Mahomes as saying:
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“It’s probably just me throwing it more in bounds to
the guy that’s wide open for a touchdown. If I throw
it in bounds, it’s a walk-in touchdown. I just have to
be better there.”
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Here’s the play (0:35):
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Here’s a closer look at his feet (foot):
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Not the first time, but Worthy needs to learn to drag his feet.
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The Defense
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Pressure – While the Bills’ defense had 2 sacks on Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs D had 3 sacks of Josh Allen, that wasn’t the biggest problem in this game. The Bills D hit Mahomes 7 times and the Chiefs D hit Allen only 4 times. The difference in this game was the pressure that each defense was able to, or not able to, put on the opposing QB. That led to the Interceptions which the Bills had 2 and the Chiefs had 1. One of those Bills’ INTs was late in the game and wrapped things up for them.
The Chiefs ex-RT Mitchell Schwartz took a shot at HC Andy Reid in his post game tweet:
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I’m not sure I understand Schwartz’ complaint with Andy Reid. It’s Steve Spagnuolo who calls all the shots on defense, so if anything, Schwartz should aim his grievance in that direction. Beyond that, Spags can only call the plays but the players must execute his plan. therealsaswatch said in response to Schwartz,
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“The chiefs always do this against teams they expect
to see I the playoffs. They will play a different defense
than they will in January against this team.”
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Updated Power Rankings
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You may notice that the next team the #2 Chiefs play are the “get well quickly” #27 Panthers.
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Delayed Game Plan
Do you think the Chiefs hold back on certain plays, or the way they play defense, during the regular season? I’ve had that thought before. Makes one wonder.
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Viewership
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One thing I’m certain is not WRONG with the Chiefs is their popularity. The NFL front office must love this…
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Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne
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