Chiefs: Winning the Down and Distance Game

Laddie Morse

The Kansas City Chiefs have become known for their use of playcalling to win. That includes the down and distance game. One of the questions surfaces when looking at the down and distance situation: can any play be called at any time? The answer may surprise you but it has mostly to do with the red zone. First, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page as to exactly what the red zone is. When your team has driven down the field and enters the 20 yard line to the goal… that’s the red zone. So named because the plays are more important, simply because those plays might result in a team getting into the the end zone so, the red zone means the plays there are more dangerous. Thus, red. In the Chiefs game against the Buffalo Bills, they were successful all three times they entered the red zone.

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The Red Zone

Since the red zone is the area closets to the opposing team end zone, the distance until a team scores has shrunk so deep passes are out of the question. Consequently, some of the plays made by offensive players may be more risky. Especially since the plays are in a space that is more tight. Here’s a play that man y thuoght that the Chiefs QB Patrick Mahoes should not have tried to make:

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(0:32)

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Fourth Down Strategy

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When the Chiefs were given the opportunity to possess the ball — second — in overtime of the last Super Bowl, they thanked their lucky stars. Why? Because they would have four downs to complete a first down attempt. Having an extra down means the world.

From an article called: “Understanding Down and Distance” for liveaboiut.com author James Alder says:

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“A team can elect to “go for it” on fourth down and

try to pick up the remaining yardage, but they run

the risk of turning the ball over to the other team if

they do not get to the first down marker. If they do

not get the required yardage, the other team takes 

possession of the ball….”

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In the case of the most recent Super Bowl, in overtime, if K.C. could not get the first down, they would lose the game. In this case, they won their fourth Lombardi. Alder goes on to explain the fourth down options:

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“Another option is to kick a field goal. If a team feels

they are close enough to kick the ball between the

upright bars of the goal post in their opponent’s end

zone, they may attempt a field goal, which is worth

three points when converted successfully.”

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While, normally, the strategy for the Chiefs is to get within the 40 yard line of their opponent so they can at least get three points is an option when they have had place kicker Harrison Butker, because he can boom long field goals with ease… that same strategy may have changed because Butker had left knee surgery last week and was out. So, the Chiefs signed place kicker replacement Spencer Shrader last week to offset any chance a kicker might have had in kicking extra points, which Shrader was three-for-three on.

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Note to Spencer Shrader: that kind of 3-for-3 kicking consistency can quickly endear you to Chiefs Kingdom!

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Fortunately, the loss of Harrison Butker didn’t end up costing the Chiefs in that game against the Bills in Buffalo. However, red zone efficiency is critical.

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Red Zone Blunders

When a team makes it to the red zone, they are expected to score. At least a field goal (see above). Here’s Travis Kelce, back in January, explaining how he helped to cause a Mecole Hardman fumble in the red zone (1:04):

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Some of you may recall when Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco fumbled in the red zone during the Chiefs last Super Bowl against the 49ers:

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(0:29)

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Except for fumbling through the end zone to give the opposing team the ball, a fumble in the red zone is the last place you want to fumble.

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Down and Distance Conclusion

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Here’s a great explanation of Down and Distance by “The Football Wife.” Although she may be a 49ers fan, she gets the job done:

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(2:36)

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What do you think?

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Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne

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