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CHIEFS WEEK 16 GAME THREAD
Playoffs Begin Now
The National Football League’s version of an extended playoff schedule is under way today with the Kansas City Chiefs facing division foes Denver, this week, and the San Diego Chargers the next. First up, are the reigning Super Bowl Champion Broncos who are fighting to stay alive in the current playoff race.
Four to the Pro Bowl
Congratulations to Tyreek Hill for making the Pro Bowl in his first season. The Chiefs appear to have a weapon for the foreseeable future and if Jeremy Maclin returns to his old ways, the Chiefs WR tandem of Maclin and Hill will be difficult for any defense in the NFL to handle.
Add Travis Kelce, who also made the Pro Bowl, to that passing game and assuming the Chiefs will have a QB who can get the ball to them, the trio will be as formidable a trio as any around. Many fans are calling for the Chiefs to draft a top Tight End early in the 2017 draft and if that happens, expect bigger things for the offense next season… including an improved running game. When the Chiefs have been able to line up in multiple TE sets, and throw or run out of those formations, the whole offense is more efficient.
Cornerback Marcus Peters also made the Pro Bowl. Peters currently ranks 4th in the NFL in Passes Defended with 41 as well as 5 INTs (tied for 2nd).
Eris Berry has had his best season and has become the defensive leader on the field and off. John Dorsey will have his hands full deciding if he’s going to pay Berry top dollar or not.
Congratulations to each of the Chiefs players, Travis Kelce, Marcus Peters and Eric Bery on making the Pro Bowl again.
Christmas Tricks
Well, these aren’t really “Christmas” tricks per se but, they are tricky. Sam Mellinger has a piece called, “Hungry Pig What? Yep, the Chiefs best chance is to embrace the gimmicks” in which he states,
“In the last five games — going back to the Bucs loss — the Chiefs offense has attempted 23 third or fourth downs with three or fewer yards to go. This is subjective, but a film review of those plays shows eight that could be described as “gimmicky,” and 15 that are more traditional.
Each set converted five times, meaning the gimmicks were twice as successful.”
I must confess I am a trick-play fanatic. I love em. Why not?! The first two plays that came to mind when reading Mellinger’s title was the obvious “Hungry Pig” and then Albert WIlson’s fake punt return for a TD.
What do you think? Do you think the trick play has a place in the Chiefs arsenal? Or not?.
Christmas Wish List
I know, I know… if I ask you to make a Christmas list for the Chiefs you’re likely to say something along the lines of… get a new QB… or win the Super Bowl… or even… World Peace… but I’m looking for offseason answers like… I wish the Chiefs would sign “X” player (list of NFL Free Agents) … or I wish they’d draft this player (list of 2017 draft prospects by Draft Tek). For instance, one of my Christmas wishes for the Chiefs in 2017 is… focus more high draft picks on the offensive line. Look what Dallas has done with a top 5 OL. Their future looks bright because of the guys blocking up front. So, the Chiefs select 6-foot3, 300 lbs, OG Dorian Johnson out of Pittsburgh in the second round. Reminds me of David DeCastro who I wanted for the Chiefs over 4 years ago.
Prediction
My prediction for this game is… Chiefs 31, Broncos 17. What do you predict?
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