Chiefs: Positional Review in Four Words – The Kansas City Chiefs game against the Dolphins can be summed up in four words: “It Don’t Come Easy.”
While the Chiefs came away with their 12th of never ever having done this before 12th win against one loss, they ultimately came away with a triumph, and that’s the most important stats isn’t it? Would HC Andy Reid tell you that there are still things they can work on to get better? Absolutely. So, I’ll take a look at each position group and their performance in this game… IN FOUR SIMPLE WORDS. Example: QB, Patrick Mahomes: “Three Dog Night’s: ONE”
QB: Patrick Mahomes, “Three Dog Night’s ONE”
It was a Three Dog Night, or day, for Patrick Mahomes, and he certainly is the ONE… as in, the Number One QB in the NFL. However, three interceptions tells us it was not his best game. Maybe we can blame it on the Stadium, after all, he’s thrown 5 of his 7 INTs, in this calendar year, right there in Hard Rock Stadium:
However, Mr. Mahomes now has 4,208 yards passing through 13 games and…
BTW, Mahomes is averaging 324 passing yards per game this season.
Fullback: Anthony Sherman, “Against All Odds” Almost
I’m sure Anthony Sherman will be kicking himself for dropping a pass in this game from Patrick Mahomes, for a long time. Of course, it did hit him in the bad place… the hands! It was 1st-and-10 at the Miami 43 yard line with 2:20 left on the clock before the half and Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes hit FB Anthony Sherman for a short pass to the right but… then Sherman looked like he was doing the Macarena while doing a belly flop, WITHOUT the ball in his hands. All’s well that ends well, because that drive ended with a Travis Kelce TD reception.
RB: CEH and Lev Bell, “Must I Cry Again?”
This version is by the “Hill”toppers and the reason is simple: Tyreek Hill had as many rushing yards in one play — a 32 yard TD scamper — as the Chiefs leading rusher, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, had all game long (32 yards). Against the Dolphins, the running game wasn’t featured much, just 41% of the time: 34 passing plays and 24 running plays.
Wide Receivers: “Highway to the DangerZone”
I know… I know… that’s technically five words, but you can’t win them all… right 12-and-1 Chiefs fans? This group of wide receivers — Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins, Demarcus Robinson, Mecole Hardman & Co. — compiled 16 out of 24 receptions for 257 yards and a TD vs the Dolphins. Not a bad day’s work for any “normal” group of WRs. However, this group is special, more importantly… they’re unselfish and not filled with a “me-first” stat-titude.
Tight End: Travis Kelce, “Baby You’re the Best” or “Nobody Does It Better”… take your choice!
What can be said about the GOAT that hasn’t already been said? Love him on and off the field! Offensive Player of the Year? Why not!
The OL: “Holy, Holy Holy Holy!”
Yes, I included one extra Holy here but that’s because all of the Chiefs OL were “Holey” in this game… and not in a spiritual way… except that is, for Eric Fisher. This coming offseason, I’m sure Eric will be hoping that Andy will turn into a great Fisher of men who can play the OL position without any such holiness. Okay, Okay, that’s enough Biblical references for one post… I get it… IOW… I will give you rest from it all.
The DL: “Here You (They) Come Again”
Now, let me make it perfectly clear that the use of the word “They” as a descriptive pronoun — is only used to refer to a non-binary or gender-nonconforming person — and is meant in no way to refer to some ample body parts… but, is meant specifically to refer to those men along the Chiefs defensive line. In this game “they” had 23 tackles, 4 sacks, 7 QB Hits, and 5 Tackles for a Loss. This group may be “The Reason” for this win, more than any other group (except QB… err, TE, of course).
The LBs: “Where’s Willie? Where’s Willie?”
Yes, I’m repeating this mantra: “Where’s Willie?”… but I think that’s what every Chiefs fan who follows the Chiefs defense closely wants to know: “Where’s Willie Gay? He had just 17 snaps vs the Dolphins. Why? In a game in which the LB-ing core had just 10 out of the 67 total tackles that the Chiefs defense produced, Gay had three of those tackles (plus half a Tackle for a Loss)… in just 17 snaps no less.
I’m still waiting for one of the Chiefs reporters who ask Andy Reid tough questions at their media events, to actually grow a set and ask him what’s up with that? Then demand an answer.
The CBs: “I’D CHOOSE THE EEL”
If you watch this piece by Rachel Dratch, as Debbie Downer, on Saturday Night Live (Circa: 1999-to-2006), their Dr. Seuss-esk song queries, “GIVEN THE CHOICE OF HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH YOU, OR HAVING MY FACE SHREDDED BY AN EEL… I’D CHOOSE THE EEL“… the meaning then become obvious! The Chiefs Corners produced 8 passes defensed against the Dolphins. They also allowed 28 receptions for 316 yards and 2 TDs. Could it be better? Yes, or, let me just say… I’D CHOOSE THE EEL! I don’t know how this pass got through to Mike Gesicki but… take a look.
The Safeties: “The Buck Stops Here”
The Chiefs Safety group had 13 tackles, two passes defensed and an INT (by Tyrann Mathieu) in this game. The Safeties are meant to serve as the last line of defense and for the most part, they did that. It’s still apparent to me that S Juan Thornhill hasn’t re-established his full range of speed, which will be necessary with the playoffs looming.
Special Teams: “A Hard Day’s Night”
Mecole Hardman’s punt return for a touchdown early in the third quarter was probably the deciding factor in this game. Without his TD return for glory, the outcome of this game could have been another story (gee, I made a rhyme). OTOH, Hardman’s fumble later on, may have kept the Chiefs from breaking this game wide open!
Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne
If you are viewing this in Apple News and would like to join the Discussion, [GO HERE.](http://arrowheadone.com/chiefs-positional-review-in-four-words/#disqus_thread)