The Kansas City Chiefs have managed to do something that has only been done by three teams in the Super Bowl Era. That is start the season 5 – 0 and lose 6 of the next 7 games. That isn’t a statistic you want to be known for. It is a catastrophic fall that has only happened two others times. Collapse would be the most appropriate adjective.
In this case, it is easy to spread the blame. There is no question several of the key players are under performing. In this last game against the NY Jets, the Chiefs premier outside linebacker and pass rusher, Justin Houston, did
not register a tackle, hurry or sack. Key players like Justin have to step up in games like this. Then the Chiefs have a player, Marcus Peters who, in my opinion, has become a detriment to the team, especially on the field. He doesn’t tackle, he is giving up big plays and has had several untimely penalties do to his immaturity. Something needs to be done with him!
The offense, in several of the previous 6 losses, must shoulder some of the blame. But when your offense scores 30 and 31 points you should win games in the NFL. This hasn’t been the case for the Chiefs.
The Chiefs have shown signs of undisciplined play on the field, both on offense and defense. Dropped passes, offensive penalties and confusion. The defense, has at times, been out of position at the snap of the ball. How can you make your reads if you are not in position when the play starts? Poor tackling is the most consistent thing being done on the defense. These are not effort issues they are discipline issues. Something good teams don’t have.
So who is responsible for the current situation? It’s my opinion it is both the players and the coaches. Andy Reed turned over the play calling to the quarterback coach, Matt Nagy, and they put up 31 points and over 500 yards of offense, that was a step in the right direction. But Andy needs to get control of the confusion and undisciplined play on the field.
Just as important to a teams overall success, from an offensive perspective, special teams strategy and the defensive approach are the plays being called. Whoever has that responsibility for the Chiefs defense, is not doing a very good job. They can’t stop the run effectively. It seems that every quarterback the Chiefs play against can escape when they need to on critical 3rd downs for first downs. To me it appears the Chiefs defensive coaches are putting the players in bad positions and have no chance to be successful.
I would go back and look at what the defense did well in the first 5 games and compare it to the the last 6 losses.
One last thing, another trick play may have cost the Chiefs the game against the Jets! Get rid of them!
The Outdoor Quarterback