Sorting Out These Kansas City Chiefs
by Paul Pulley | December 27, 2018
The 2018 Chiefs have not been the same team throughout the year, often changing their identity from game-to-game. I think it’s high time for sorting out these Kansas City Chiefs.
The Chiefs Offense
The Chiefs offense seems to have slowed a little lately and this should not be a surprise after losing running back Kareem Hunt. Damien Williams has done a decent job of filling in the RB position, but let’s face it, he isn’t Hunt. Williams looks like he has more speed to get around the edge but he doesn’t have the power nor the tackle breaking ability that Hunt brought to the game. I do believe that Damien Williams will continue to improve the more game reps he gets and he will be a decent replacement for the offense moving forward.
Not only are the Chiefs missing Hunt, wide receiver Sammy Watkins has only played a total of 5 snaps in the last six games, all of those snaps coming early versus the Los Angeles Rams. While Chris Conley and Demarcus Robinson are both capable number 3 receivers, neither has shown that they can take over a game if top receivers Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce are having off days. Both Conley and Robinson have shown flashes of potential in almost every game, but I believe the number three WR spot is probably their ceiling. Conley is the only WR on the Chiefs team to have fumbles this season. He has lost the ball twice and this last one at Seattle was inexcusable. With only about 20 seconds left in the half and the Chiefs out of time outs, Conley’s fumble might not have changed the outcome of the game one iota, but the way he was carrying the ball in the middle of the field is totally unacceptable.
Newcomer Kelvin Benjamin got a few snaps against the Seahawks and did his best Demetrius Harris impression by dropping a ball that hit him right in the numbers. That was exciting.
Injuries Along the Chiefs OL
The offensive line has been beat up this season with all three interior starters having missed games, plus our RT, Mitchell Schwartz playing injured. LT Eric Fisher had a game Sunday that would make most people question how he made the pro bowl, but in Fishers defense, backup LG Jeff Allen caused some of Fishers blunders. I saw at least twice that Allen was blown off the ball and stepped back to the point that he tripped Fisher. I’m not excusing Fishers performance, but the OL problems were not entirely on him.
Hopefully Cam Erving makes it back into the starting lineup for the regular season finale against the Raiders.
Injuries to the Receiving Corp
Unfortunately, we’re all too familiar with the “day to day” status of injured Chiefs. Sammy Watkins is the latest Chief to garner that designation. Tyreek Hill still looks like his foot/heel/ankle is causing problems. He isn’t showing the same burst and top speed that we are used to seeing. Travis Kelce doesn’t look to be 100% either, not in his speed nor his leaping ability, but kudos to both of those guys for staying on the field and giving all they can to help the team.
The Kansas City IBS Defense
My new name for the Chiefs defense. The IBS — Idiot Bob Sutton — Defense: 11 guys that dress alike, run out on the gridiron and mess themselves. I have absolutely no hope and a complete 100% lack of confidence that the Kansas City Chiefs IBS defense can show any type of improvement or even an ability to slow down an opposing offense that doesn’t shoot themselves in their own foot.
The IBS D is currently ranked 31st in yards allowed and 29th in points allowed. The Chiefs IBS defense and the Cincinnati Bungles are the only two teams in the NFL allowing their opponents to average over 400 yards of offense per game. Early in the season, the one redeeming quality of the Chiefs defense was holding opponents on 3rd down, but not surprisingly, the rankings have plummeted in this category also. The IBS D is now tied for 25th worst, allowing opponents a 42% success rate on 3rd down.
The PPPP – Prolific Penalty Problems Persevere
Nine more flags against the Chiefs Sunday, with the Seahawks accepting eight of them. Five of the nine were against the defensive backs, three DPI and two holding calls, although one of the DH was declined as the play was successful anyway.
- Two of the DPI were against UDFA rookie Charvarius Ward, getting is first NFL start.
- The other was against Steven Nelson adding to Stevie’s team leading penalty totals.
- There were three more false starts in this game, two against backup LG Jeff Allen.
- One against TE Travis Kelce whose false start came just prior to Mahomes bouncing the ball off the chest of Benjamin.
- The other penalty was a very costly one. Early in the 3rd quarter, Jordan Lucas was flagged for roughing the kicker on a missed field goal attempt. Instead of the Chiefs offense taking over at their own 37 yard line, down 14-10, the drive is extended and the Seahawks get a successful FG to take a 17-10 lead.
The Raiders Are Coming to Town
Fortunately for the Chiefs and their fans, the week 17 game is at Arrowhead, playing the worst team in the AFC, the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders are coming off of a Monday night win versus the equally inept Denver Broncos, a game played in what is most likely the final Raiders game ever to be played in the Oakland Coliseum.
The Raiders defense, while not quite as porous as the Chiefs in giving up yards, still manage to allow more points to their opponents than does Kansas City. The Raiders being one of three teams that have given up more points this season than the Chiefs have. Meanwhile, the Raiders offense has mostly just been offensive. While ranked 22nd in yards/game, the Raiders offense is the 28th ranked team in points/game, averaging just 19.1 points.
The Chiefs have the number one offense in the NFL, both in yards/game averaging 426.7 and also in points/game with an average of 35.3. All good news going into this game.
This week’s game shouldn’t be that close of a contest, plus I question how hard Gruden will want another win. The Raiders are currently holding the number 2 draft position in next years draft and my guess is, they won’t want to jeopardize making that worse. To put the current Raiders chances in perspective: here’s a note from October:
The Chiefs have better odds to win the Super Bowl than the Raiders have to win any given game
— Chandler Wallander (@chandler_w78) October 16, 2018
So with all that, I’m expecting a Chiefs victory Sunday and securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs. I’m not sure how much good winning home field will do, but of one thing I am absolutely certain… we can’t win in the playoffs if we don’t get in the playoffs.
I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and with a Chiefs victory Sunday afternoon, we should all have a Happy New Year.
Paul Pulley – ArrowheadOne
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