Chiefs Chiefs' Timid, Depleted Offense Needs to Wake Up Ahead of Divisional Round - Page 18

oaklandhater · 01-09-2016, 08:03 PM

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2...visional-round

n paper, the results from their Saturday Wild Card victory over the Houston Texans indicate that the Kansas City Chiefs are a force to be reckoned with entering the NFL's Divisional playoffs.

The Chiefs, after all, are coming off a 30-0 first-round win, extending their winning streak to 11. On the road against a division winner, that sure looks impressive.

Most lopsided road playoff wins
Year Game
1940 Bears 73, Redskins 0
1968 Colts 34, Browns 0
1987 Vikings 44, Saints 10
2015 Chiefs 30, Texans 0
1975 Cowboys 37, Rams 7
1978 Cowboys 28, Rams 0
1943 Redskins 28, Giants 0
Pro Football Reference

But don't be fooled, because this was the type of game in which the real winners were the rest of Kansas City's competition in the AFC.

The Chiefs were actually extremely lucky that the Texans didn't show up on Saturday.

Houston's best defensive player, J.J. Watt, wasn't a factor even before leaving with a groin injury, the Texans turned the ball over five times, and the Kansas City offense was buoyed by a way-too-easy 106-yard kickoff return to start the game.

Quarterback Alex Smith didn't have to break a sweat.

Against the Denver Broncos or New England Patriots, he won't be so lucky.

The Chiefs offense—which scored two touchdowns against a toothless Texans defense in the second half but went out of its way to keep Houston hanging around before that—lacked energy before and after losing star wide receiver Jeremy Maclin to a knee injury in the third quarter.

That injury looked serious, which means Andy Reid's team—already without stud running back Jamaal Charles and starting center Mitch Morse—may not have its regular-season touchdown leader the rest of the way.

They're not out of hope. Kansas City's opportunistic defense—which ranked third in football in terms of points allowed in the regular season—still had to unwrap the gifts Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer was throwing their way.

According to the ESPN broadcast, this was the first shutout we've had in the playoffs in a decade and the third-most-lopsided playoff road shutout win in NFL history.

Worst home playoff passer ratings this century
Quarterback Year Rating Result
Brian Hoyer 2015 15.9 Lost to Chiefs
Shane Matthews 2001 17.9 Lost to Eagles
Donovan Mcnabb 2003 19.3 Lost to Panthers
Matt Cassel 2010 20.4 Lost to Ravens
Rich Gannon 2000 22.0 Lost to Ravens
Pro Football Reference

But Smith will have to do more next Saturday, and he'll likely have to do it without his only receiver who had more than two touchdowns this season.

Against Houston, especially in the first half, we saw far too many of those overly-conservative, short-of-the-sticks third-down plays the Chiefs have become famous for. And it was a flawed performance beyond that.

Smith missed on a wide-open deep ball that should have been a first-half touchdown and had an uncharacteristic interception in the first quarter, and they also settled for long field goals rather than gambling on 4th-and-1 twice, which actually defies logic and precedents and can cripple an offense under more difficult circumstances.

Next week, they'll undoubtedly face more difficult circumstances.

You'd be crazy to argue that a team that hasn't lost since the middle of October can't rise to that occasion, but Saturday's performance wasn't nearly as impressive as the final score might indicate.

"Confidence and momentum are real", Smith told Evan Washburn on CBS Sports following the game. And on Saturday, confidence and momentum were enough to beat a Texans team that did everything in its power to lose.

The Patriots will likely have more than 112 net passing yards next week, and it's been seven years since New England has turned the ball over as often as Houston did Saturday.

Denver's dominant defense will likely feast on an offense lacking its best two players, and the Broncos have lost just three home playoff games since 1997.

Pick your poison.

Hate to rain on a parade 22 years in the making, but if the depleted Chiefs want to keep rolling and resisting the law of averages, they'll have to be much better in the Divisional Playoffs.

**DaneMcCloud** · 01-10-2016, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

Can we stop with this "I was a fan before you were a fan!" bullshit.

No

Hammock Parties · 01-10-2016, 12:13 AM

I wouldn't say the article is right but...it's not wrong. We had barely 300 yards of offense and only 4 third down converstions. That's not gonna get it done next week against a far superior opponent.

In fact we didn't have a passing third down conversion until the 7:03 mark of the third, and that was the only one of the game.

**RealSNR** · 01-10-2016, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

Jesus Christ...

Can we stop with this "I was a fan before you were a fan!" bullshit.

Chiefs won.

There you go.

****ing children.

The issue isn't "I was a fan before you were a fan"

BryanBusby · 01-10-2016, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mals

I wouldn't say the article is right but...it's not wrong. We had barely 300 yards of offense and only 4 third down converstions. That's not gonna get it done next week against a far superior opponent.

In fact we didn't have a passing third down conversion until the 7:03 mark of the third, and that was the only one of the game.

Oh wow, it's almost like the Texans actually were amazing this season on 3rd down D.

The Chiefs had a hard time on 3rd down against a D that does extremely well on that down. ****ing riveting.

munkey · 01-10-2016, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BryanBusby

Oh wow, it's almost like the Texans actually were amazing this season on 3rd down D.

The Chiefs had a hard time on 3rd down against a D that does extremely well on that down. ****ing riveting.

Sick if the "the other team lost" when we win BS. A win is a win and every game is different. I forgot the Texans won their division because they suck...as I recall all the "experts" predicted this would be a low scoring game because of the defenses...god forbid we somehow score 30 points and the Texans shit the bed

In other words I agree with you Bryan...

UK_Chief · 01-10-2016, 07:00 AM

OP is a complete Bell-end, as we say over here

chiefzilla1501 · 01-10-2016, 07:05 AM

The idea that the Chiefs need to "wake up" is nonsense. The Chiefs need to use a different strategy against New England offensively. That doesn't mean the Chiefs were asleep against the Texans. They beat a great pass rush with an excellent short and intermediate offense, they exploited Houston's weakness of horrible QB play by mostly playing the game safe and forcing Hoyer to beat them.

eDave · 01-10-2016, 07:09 AM

Yeah, this is prime time BS. FFS dude. Chiefs went into a playoff game, away, and left 30-0. Who the hell finds fault in that? Miserable users. Enjoy it at least a little bit. I know Stop, Chiefs is.

jspchief · 01-10-2016, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mav

Really? I love this. Get on my level for a second. I'm a Browns fan. No way I could understand the Chiefs struggle right? Look at the donkey tard come slink out of the shadows. Which was your original statement right? Which of course bitch slaps you back to reality doesn't it? Win or lose I've been posting here for three years. I've never had to come out of a shadow. Sure looks like you have because if you hadn't, you would realize with just a simple look at post counts I've been quite frequent here. How's that taste? Salty? Well stay off my nuts.

And miserable user? Why because we support the Chiefs no matter what. Great logic.

Bolded is why you're a joke.

**Bob Dole** · 01-10-2016, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PA Chiefs

Not sure if this is serious they beat the last 11 teams they played won the first playoff game in over 2 decades so I would say that is momentum. I just am thrilled that they won all true fan and sh*t... Whatever I love this team.

Was not serious. At all.

Bob Dole was just acting like the other miserable "fans" on this forum.

eDave · 01-10-2016, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

Bolded is why you're a joke.

Really? I'm with Mav. But I'm not a miserable fan.

Vietnam58 · 01-10-2016, 07:40 AM

i keep hearing all these excuses.. oh you beat the texans they sucked. . you havent proven anything. .hOYER gave you the game..JJ Watt was injured. . you had a kickoff return (like special teams are not part of the game)..my friend actually said you won but didnt dominate them . .then i asked him the score. . 30-0 on the road is impressive no matter how its done. .

we played the team that was put in front of us in their house nad shut them down. .our defense makes other teams look like shit. . yeah we dont win pretty but to win 11 games in a row with a bunch of road games in there we have to be doing somethign right. .

the funny thing is if Alex connects to Wilson on that big pass. .people would be giving us props up and down . .but hey . .ill take wins and doubters anyday over a flashy team that loses. .

jspchief · 01-10-2016, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eDave

Really? I'm with Mav. But I'm not a miserable fan.

You're a Browns fan and a Chiefs fan and a QuarterbackX fan?

**Mav** · 01-10-2016, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

You're a Browns fan and a Chiefs fan and a QuarterbackX fan?

You know what he meant. And I like the Browns because it's the memory of watching them with my grandpa. Being a Chiefs fan is my choice with no outside influence. Just so happened it took Alex Smith being traded here to get me here. I'm not ashamed of that at all, and your opinion of me being a "joke" is fine. Doesn't change a single thing.

PA Chiefs · 01-10-2016, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Dole

Was not serious. At all.

Bob Dole was just acting like the other miserable "fans" on this forum.

Ok I never now anymore everybody is all Debbie downer on here. I'm still riding high this morning this is great. We won a f***in playoff game this is a great feeling 22 years in the making.

01-09-2016, 08:03 PM
oaklandhater future chiefs fans Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: oakland california Casino cash: $7438993	Chiefs' Timid, Depleted Offense Needs to Wake Up Ahead of Divisional Round http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2...visional-round n paper, the results from their Saturday Wild Card victory over the Houston Texans indicate that the Kansas City Chiefs are a force to be reckoned with entering the NFL's Divisional playoffs. The Chiefs, after all, are coming off a 30-0 first-round win, extending their winning streak to 11. On the road against a division winner, that sure looks impressive. Most lopsided road playoff wins Year Game 1940 Bears 73, Redskins 0 1968 Colts 34, Browns 0 1987 Vikings 44, Saints 10 2015 Chiefs 30, Texans 0 1975 Cowboys 37, Rams 7 1978 Cowboys 28, Rams 0 1943 Redskins 28, Giants 0 Pro Football Reference But don't be fooled, because this was the type of game in which the real winners were the rest of Kansas City's competition in the AFC. The Chiefs were actually extremely lucky that the Texans didn't show up on Saturday. Houston's best defensive player, J.J. Watt, wasn't a factor even before leaving with a groin injury, the Texans turned the ball over five times, and the Kansas City offense was buoyed by a way-too-easy 106-yard kickoff return to start the game. Quarterback Alex Smith didn't have to break a sweat. Against the Denver Broncos or New England Patriots, he won't be so lucky. The Chiefs offense—which scored two touchdowns against a toothless Texans defense in the second half but went out of its way to keep Houston hanging around before that—lacked energy before and after losing star wide receiver Jeremy Maclin to a knee injury in the third quarter. That injury looked serious, which means Andy Reid's team—already without stud running back Jamaal Charles and starting center Mitch Morse—may not have its regular-season touchdown leader the rest of the way. They're not out of hope. Kansas City's opportunistic defense—which ranked third in football in terms of points allowed in the regular season—still had to unwrap the gifts Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer was throwing their way. According to the ESPN broadcast, this was the first shutout we've had in the playoffs in a decade and the third-most-lopsided playoff road shutout win in NFL history. Worst home playoff passer ratings this century Quarterback Year Rating Result Brian Hoyer 2015 15.9 Lost to Chiefs Shane Matthews 2001 17.9 Lost to Eagles Donovan Mcnabb 2003 19.3 Lost to Panthers Matt Cassel 2010 20.4 Lost to Ravens Rich Gannon 2000 22.0 Lost to Ravens Pro Football Reference But Smith will have to do more next Saturday, and he'll likely have to do it without his only receiver who had more than two touchdowns this season. Against Houston, especially in the first half, we saw far too many of those overly-conservative, short-of-the-sticks third-down plays the Chiefs have become famous for. And it was a flawed performance beyond that. Smith missed on a wide-open deep ball that should have been a first-half touchdown and had an uncharacteristic interception in the first quarter, and they also settled for long field goals rather than gambling on 4th-and-1 twice, which actually defies logic and precedents and can cripple an offense under more difficult circumstances. Next week, they'll undoubtedly face more difficult circumstances. You'd be crazy to argue that a team that hasn't lost since the middle of October can't rise to that occasion, but Saturday's performance wasn't nearly as impressive as the final score might indicate. "Confidence and momentum are real", Smith told Evan Washburn on CBS Sports following the game. And on Saturday, confidence and momentum were enough to beat a Texans team that did everything in its power to lose. The Patriots will likely have more than 112 net passing yards next week, and it's been seven years since New England has turned the ball over as often as Houston did Saturday. Denver's dominant defense will likely feast on an offense lacking its best two players, and the Broncos have lost just three home playoff games since 1997. Pick your poison. Hate to rain on a parade 22 years in the making, but if the depleted Chiefs want to keep rolling and resisting the law of averages, they'll have to be much better in the Divisional Playoffs.
Posts: 23,762

01-10-2016, 12:13 AM	#257
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4230478	I wouldn't say the article is right but...it's not wrong. We had barely 300 yards of offense and only 4 third down converstions. That's not gonna get it done next week against a far superior opponent. In fact we didn't have a passing third down conversion until the 7:03 mark of the third, and that was the only one of the game.
Posts: 279,442

01-10-2016, 07:00 AM	#261
UK_Chief Veteran Join Date: Nov 2012 Casino cash: $6856512	OP is a complete Bell-end, as we say over here
Posts: 1,723

01-10-2016, 07:05 AM	#262
chiefzilla1501 In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $1624497	The idea that the Chiefs need to "wake up" is nonsense. The Chiefs need to use a different strategy against New England offensively. That doesn't mean the Chiefs were asleep against the Texans. They beat a great pass rush with an excellent short and intermediate offense, they exploited Houston's weakness of horrible QB play by mostly playing the game safe and forcing Hoyer to beat them.
Posts: 48,630

01-10-2016, 07:09 AM	#263
eDave Banned Join Date: Jan 2013 Casino cash: $9998560	Yeah, this is prime time BS. FFS dude. Chiefs went into a playoff game, away, and left 30-0. Who the hell finds fault in that? Miserable users. Enjoy it at least a little bit. I know Stop, Chiefs is.
Posts: 53,803

01-10-2016, 07:40 AM	#267
Vietnam58 Starter Join Date: Jan 2013 Casino cash: $10006465	i keep hearing all these excuses.. oh you beat the texans they sucked. . you havent proven anything. .hOYER gave you the game..JJ Watt was injured. . you had a kickoff return (like special teams are not part of the game)..my friend actually said you won but didnt dominate them . .then i asked him the score. . 30-0 on the road is impressive no matter how its done. . we played the team that was put in front of us in their house nad shut them down. .our defense makes other teams look like shit. . yeah we dont win pretty but to win 11 games in a row with a bunch of road games in there we have to be doing somethign right. . the funny thing is if Alex connects to Wilson on that big pass. .people would be giving us props up and down . .but hey . .ill take wins and doubters anyday over a flashy team that loses. .
Posts: 330