Anytime your team goes on a losing streak, fans are going to moan. I would not, under normal circumstances, see two games in a row, as a losing streak but when you open the season on a smoking hot streak of five wins, two losses will get some extra attention. Anytime that happens, it’s time for a Chiefs Round Table discussion. So, let’s get to it.
Has Travis Kelce Lost His Mojo?
It seems like ever since Kelce had his one-reception game, September 24th vs. the Chargers, he’s not been the force he’s been earlier in his career. Sure, he had a great first half vs the Texans with 8 catches for 98 yards, then he went out of the game. Since his one reception game, barring that one half of football, Kelce has had 15 receptions on 20 targets in four games. Kelce has had a total of 70 yards of production over the past two weeks. Perhaps teams have been focusing their attention on stopping him but he’s a critical cog in the offense and the Chiefs need him to produce to be successful.
This question has more to do with his attitude and presence in the game. I have to wonder if his mini-one-game suspension (1 reception) by Andy Reid has made Kelce tentative now. If Travis was a student in my classroom I’d be wondering if he recently went on medication to calm him down. One of the reasons I feel that way is that when someone begins to change the way they act completely… it can be a bit disturbing. Here, look at this TD by Kelce: notice anything missing? That’s right… NO CELEBRATION. Travis Kelce without celebrating, is like Michael Jackson without his Moonwalk. It’s his trademark. So, what’s up with that, huh?
🕺🕺🕺@tkelce's got MOVES. pic.twitter.com/A4DSb6WLj0
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 20, 2017
Is Marcus Peters a Problem?
When the Chiefs drafted CB Marcus Peters two years ago I was surprised and then elated because he is an excellent corner. Or should I say, he WAS an excellent corner. His recent ON FIELD antics have me wondering if he’s more problem than he’s worth. To truly answer that question you’d have to answer the question… who would you get to replace him, to compare him to?
Peters had those 8 INTs his rookie season and a memorable INT on his first play in the NFL. That was a wake up call for all QBs to watch out for the rookie who seemed to know where the ball was headed. That was then, now is now. Meaning, Peters play has circled the drain lately and he’s become a player who likes to play off his man so much, in order to tempt quarterbacks to throw his way, that plenty of receptions are made right in front of him. When he gets close to a wideout or running back he usually spends his time tying to strip the ball instead of tackling him.
In the game vs. the Raiders on Thursday, Peters was called for a late hit. I’m not so concerned about that as I am concerned about him reading what’s needed to win in any given moment. That hit came on a play where two other players were already taking QB Derek Carr down but more importantly, it was a 3rd-and-10 play and if he doesn’t get called for a foul, the Chiefs would get the ball back on the very next play. He may be a great corner. However, truly great players can read game situations and win those situations.
You obviously aren’t going to try and replace Peters this coming offseason. He’s just too talented, However, if he’ll take coaching, he needs to be coached up right so he can become a more useful member of a defense that’s hurting for quality production right now.
Is it Time for Chiefs Fans to Panic?
Generally speaking, it’s never time to panic. However… 2012 was a better movie than season: said one disaster to another. If you were told prior to this season, that the Chiefs would be 5-and-2 at this point and still more than one game up in the AFC West, how would you respond:
D. I Can’t Get No Satisfaction
It never is a good feeling at the moment when our home team loses. The team is 46-and-23 since Andy and his crew came to town. That means, twice as many wins as losses. You have to admit that this feels better than the 2-and-14 2012 season. Right? Cool… you’re feeling better already aren’t you. Glad to hear it. Lyle Graversen put it best:
Chiefs didn't play well last 2 games and still easily could have won both if a couple plays go different.
— Lyle Graversen (@LyleGraversen) October 20, 2017
Does Kareem Hunt Own a
Harry Potter Cloak of Invisibility?
Is everyone blind as to the biggest story on the Kansas City Chiefs this year? Is it because Kareem Hunt is wearing a cloak of invisibility or what? Back in the disaster season of 2012 — lovingly referred to earlier in this thread — RB Jamaal Charles gained 1,509 yards rushing. His best season. Add in his 236 yards receiving that year and he had 1,745 total yards from scrimmage. Charles was pretty much the only reason to watch the Chiefs that year. It was also his fifth year in the league. Kareem Hunt, in his first season, already has 1,002 yards total from scrimmage after 7 games (and I don’t need to remind you that we’ve played less than half a season). Hunt is projected to gain 1,639 yards rushing and add 651 yards receiving for a total of 2,290 yards from scrimmage… AS A ROOKIE.
Also, as a rookie, Hall of Fame RB Eric Dickerson had 2,212 combined rushing and receiving yards in 1983. This is the same man who said,
“I think the one (record) I look at most and means the most to me is my rookie rushing record. You get one shot at that. You don’t get several. You don’t get 10. You get one.”
Kareem Hunt is much, much better than people seem to realize. I’m wondering when more Chiefs fans are going to wake up to Hunt. The following just makes me smile every time I see it. So, I share it with you.
Kareem Hunt is just a bad dude. Really should be a focal point of the offense every week. Just flattened 98. pic.twitter.com/gC83G7Fqy6
— Seth Keysor (@RealMNchiefsfan) October 16, 2017
I don’t know if it’s a sign of the times, or it just shows how much we don’t value the running back position anymore, but the Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt is currently on pace to have the best rookie season ever… and we’re stuck complaining about a couple of very close losses even though we’re still leading the AFC West and are at the top of the division.
It’s time to give Kareem Hunt some love. Plus… is this a good time to remind everyone that I said before the season that that this #27 would be the best #27 to ever play for the Chiefs? No? Okay, I won’t.
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