Chiefs Chiefs still eyeing postseason at 3-5 - Page 10

Eleazar · 11-05-2015, 08:08 AM

Chiefs still eyeing postseason at 3-5

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Cue the old tape of former Indianapolis Colts head coach Jim Mora Sr. talking after a poor performance by his team, and asked about the potential for postseason play.

"Playoffs? Don't talk to me about playoffs," Mora bellowed. "You kidding me. Playoffs?"

In most seasons, those words could have been used to describe the situation surrounding the Kansas City Chiefs (3-5). Only a few weeks ago after losing five consecutive games, the Chiefs stood 1-5 and thinking about the postseason was folly.

But below undefeated New England, Denver and Cincinnati, the AFC is a pool of mediocrity and after stringing together two victories heading into their bye week, the Chiefs are only one game out of the conference's second wildcard spot.

Andy Reid is not the type of NFL head coach who will screech like Mora when talking to the media about his team's future. The theme is always the same: more hard work is needed.

"There's things we can get better at," Reid said. "We're not nearly as good as we possibly can be, so we've got to keep working. That's the challenge for all of us, players and coaches.

"We can all improve and get better, there's plenty to see on tape for that to learn from."

The Chiefs' two-game winning streak came against a Pittsburgh team without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and a Detroit club that will compete over the second-half of the 2015 season for the first selection of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Still, all that is meaningless when a team is trying to end a long losing streak and return to a projected role as a contender.

Whether Kansas City has returned to that point will be seen over the next five games, with four of those in the AFC West and three on the road.

Ahead are trips to Denver and San Diego, then a weekend at home against Buffalo, before a trip to Oakland. By the time November turns to December, everyone will have a much better handle on exactly what the Chiefs can make of this season.

According to STATS, 280 teams started 3-5 in NFL history; 15 rallied to make the playoffs.

The Chiefs franchise has started the season 3-5 six times before this season, and did not make the playoffs in any of those years (1961, 1974, 1976, 1985, 1989 and 2004.) Only the '89 team finished the year with a winning record at 8-7-1.

Translation: no matter the quality of the conference, they have a long road ahead of them if they want to play into January.

"I feel like the confidence has always been there," tight end Travis Kelce said of the locker room vibe. "It's just going out there and doing it. Obviously, we have had some mixed pieces in the offensive line, and at wide out.

"In the beginning we had some guys banged up. But no excuses to that. The teams we played definitely came to play and kudos to them. But at the same time, we have a confidence in that locker room."

Kelce mentioned "mixed pieces" along the Chiefs offensive line and without a doubt that's where they have struggled to perform. In eight games, they've had five different starting groups, with only rookie center Mitch Morse playing in his spot for all games.

The Chiefs have one of the bottom four pass protection units in the league, allowing 29 sacks in 299 passing plays. Quarterback Alex Smith has been bruised and battered, starting the season with three interceptions in the first three games.

Smith now has gone five games without throwing it to the other team, and overall in the last five games the Chiefs have only two giveaways.

Defensively, Kansas City has picked up the pace in forcing turnovers. In the first four games, the Chiefs had only three takeaways, but have generated eight in the four most recent games.

The Chiefs are plus-three in the turnover ratio, and there are only seven teams with higher plus ratio.

As with most NFL teams, the Chiefs have dealt with their share of injuries, losing their No. 1 offensive weapon when running back Jamaal Charles tore the ACL in his right knee.

Kansas City also lost Phillip Gaines to a torn ACL; he was one of the club's top three cornerbacks. Offensive line injuries have slowed that group's development.

Still, here they are, sitting 3-5 and they can realistically say they are still in the race for a spot in the postseason.

"I think they've just stuck together," Reid said. "You've seen young guys get better. ... We've probably got more young guys playing for us than anybody in the league and they've continually gotten better.

"They've had the veteran support there, in a positive way for them. And then some of the guys that were banged up or sick they've continued to get better every week. That's important."

Reid never outwardly reached for the panic button when the club couldn't win a game. There were no coaching staff changes, and with the exception of the offensive line, there was little in the way of changes to the starting lineup. He feels everybody stepped up their performance, especially the guys in the locker room.

"The players have upped it," Reid said. "Not that you're not going to get beat every once in a while; that happens in his league. We're playing against good players. Best in the world, right? So, they keep battling. They're not letting things get them down at all."

http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/NFL/2...3581446674565/

chiefzilla1501 · 11-06-2015, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabblerouser

Absolutely there is almost total parity in the NFL.

What separates an 'average' team from the good ones is almost always coaching and QB play.

Look at Indy - they were in the AFC Championship Game last year and they have a terrible team.

That's not parity.

In the league today, there are a few really, really, really good teams. And there are a bunch of below average teams. The parity is the worst there's ever been. There could be 3 or 4 teams in the playoffs that are terrible.

rabblerouser · 11-06-2015, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEX

Not wise thinking because IF the Chiefs do that, then they'll go out and lose to the Chargers at Arrowhead or something - Because Chiefs!

As Chiefs fans, we KNOW the deal. ANd the deal is that terrible Bears defeat is a separate "Because Chiefs loss", and won't count as any kind of a demoralizing loss to a suck team, that we can say occurred as a "Because Chiefs equalizer" for beating a good team. Nope, IF they beat Denver in Denver, then a totally separate CRUSHING "Because- Chiefs - loss" to another suck ass team will follow as soon as we start to believe...

Because Chiefs

Because Chiefs.

Simply Red · 11-06-2015, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

Also, dj. And if the chiefs have no intent to resign Sean Smith, there is no point in holding onto him just so we can win two or three meaningless games.

I want to lose all remaining games - except for Denver - it'd be hilarious if we went in there and beat them w/o JC.

rabblerouser · 11-06-2015, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

That's not parity.

In the league today, there are a few really, really, really good teams. And there are a bunch of below average teams. The parity is the worst there's ever been. There could be 3 or 4 teams in the playoffs that are terrible.

What's the difference between the few 'really, really, really good teams' and say, KC??

Coaching and QB play.

We have a really deep roster. We just don't have any way of making that any type of advantage.

rabblerouser · 11-06-2015, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simply Red

I want to lose all remaining games - except for Denver - it'd be hilarious if we went in there and beat them w/o JC.

I like your style.

**007** · 11-06-2015, 07:05 AM

I would laugh at this prospect but it isn't worth the effort.

rabblerouser · 11-06-2015, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guru

I would laugh at this prospect but it isn't worth the effort.

But...you'll post about it??

**007** · 11-06-2015, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabblerouser

But...you'll post about it??

DAmn right I will.

chiefzilla1501 · 11-06-2015, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabblerouser

What's the difference between the few 'really, really, really good teams' and say, KC??

Coaching and QB play.

We have a really deep roster. We just don't have any way of making that any type of advantage.

In this league, you need to be either dominant on defense and efficient on offense (Russell Wilson, Eli), have a QB capable of stringing together a surprise run behind a solid team (Flacco, Kaepernick), or have an elite QB. Alex Smith could be B, but it's not likely.

chiefzilla1501 · 11-06-2015, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simply Red

I want to lose all remaining games - except for Denver - it'd be hilarious if we went in there and beat them w/o JC.

I'm not rooting for the Chiefs to lose. However, I'm not going to lose draft picks so we can have an outside shot at a playoff game.

Mile High Mania · 11-06-2015, 07:26 AM

You have to view this thing in digestible chunks. Chiefs have 3 wins and with 8 left, you want to find a way to 9 wins.. so you can lose 2 of your remaining 8.

All remaining games AFC games (big with the tiebreakers) and 5 within the division, so you want to go 3-2 in those games worst case. Problem is, of the divisional games 3 are on the road.

KC has to protect their house, means you have to beat the Bills, Chargers, Browns and Raiders - not impossible by any means.

Go 4-0 at home and that means you can give up 2 at either Broncos, Chargers, Raiders or Ravens.

@ Broncos / @ Chargers

Bills / @ Raiders

then
Chargers / @ Ravens

Browns / Raiders

All against AFC teams ... 5 within the Division and KC is 1 behind Oakland.

Gotta find your way to a 3-2 record in the division, beat two of the Ravens, Bills and Browns. I think KC goes 2-2 in the next 4, meaning they will have to win out in the final 4 games. It's a tall task, not sure they can do it, but that's how it lays out.

Eleazar · 11-06-2015, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

You have to view this thing in digestible chunks. Chiefs have 3 wins and with 8 left, you want to find a way to 9 wins.. so you can lose 2 of your remaining 8.

All remaining games AFC games (big with the tiebreakers) and 5 within the division, so you want to go 3-2 in those games worst case. Problem is, of the divisional games 3 are on the road.

KC has to protect their house, means you have to beat the Bills, Chargers, Browns and Raiders - not impossible by any means.

Go 4-0 at home and that means you can give up 2 at either Broncos, Chargers, Raiders or Ravens.

@ Broncos / @ Chargers

Bills / @ Raiders

then
Chargers / @ Ravens

Browns / Raiders

All against AFC teams ... 5 within the Division and KC is 1 behind Oakland.

Gotta find your way to a 3-2 record in the division, beat two of the Ravens, Bills and Browns. I think KC goes 2-2 in the next 4, meaning they will have to win out in the final 4 games. It's a tall task, not sure they can do it, but that's how it lays out.

9 wins isn't going to be good enough this year, IMO

rabblerouser · 11-06-2015, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cochise

9 wins isn't going to be good enough this year, IMO

It wasn't last year..,

**BigMeatballDave** · 11-06-2015, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabblerouser

It wasn't last year..,

Usually, that's correct. Chiefs made it on 9-7 in 06.

Shit, in 05 they missed the playoffs at 10-6.

rabblerouser · 11-06-2015, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMeatballDave

Usually, that's correct. Chiefs made it on 9-7 in 06.

Shit, in 05 they missed the playoffs at 10-6.

Do you remember what had to happen in order for them to make it in at 9-7 in 06??

11-05-2015, 08:08 AM
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	Chiefs still eyeing postseason at 3-5 Chiefs still eyeing postseason at 3-5 KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Cue the old tape of former Indianapolis Colts head coach Jim Mora Sr. talking after a poor performance by his team, and asked about the potential for postseason play. "Playoffs? Don't talk to me about playoffs," Mora bellowed. "You kidding me. Playoffs?" In most seasons, those words could have been used to describe the situation surrounding the Kansas City Chiefs (3-5). Only a few weeks ago after losing five consecutive games, the Chiefs stood 1-5 and thinking about the postseason was folly. But below undefeated New England, Denver and Cincinnati, the AFC is a pool of mediocrity and after stringing together two victories heading into their bye week, the Chiefs are only one game out of the conference's second wildcard spot. Andy Reid is not the type of NFL head coach who will screech like Mora when talking to the media about his team's future. The theme is always the same: more hard work is needed. "There's things we can get better at," Reid said. "We're not nearly as good as we possibly can be, so we've got to keep working. That's the challenge for all of us, players and coaches. "We can all improve and get better, there's plenty to see on tape for that to learn from." The Chiefs' two-game winning streak came against a Pittsburgh team without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and a Detroit club that will compete over the second-half of the 2015 season for the first selection of the 2016 NFL Draft. Still, all that is meaningless when a team is trying to end a long losing streak and return to a projected role as a contender. Whether Kansas City has returned to that point will be seen over the next five games, with four of those in the AFC West and three on the road. Ahead are trips to Denver and San Diego, then a weekend at home against Buffalo, before a trip to Oakland. By the time November turns to December, everyone will have a much better handle on exactly what the Chiefs can make of this season. According to STATS, 280 teams started 3-5 in NFL history; 15 rallied to make the playoffs. The Chiefs franchise has started the season 3-5 six times before this season, and did not make the playoffs in any of those years (1961, 1974, 1976, 1985, 1989 and 2004.) Only the '89 team finished the year with a winning record at 8-7-1. Translation: no matter the quality of the conference, they have a long road ahead of them if they want to play into January. "I feel like the confidence has always been there," tight end Travis Kelce said of the locker room vibe. "It's just going out there and doing it. Obviously, we have had some mixed pieces in the offensive line, and at wide out. "In the beginning we had some guys banged up. But no excuses to that. The teams we played definitely came to play and kudos to them. But at the same time, we have a confidence in that locker room." Kelce mentioned "mixed pieces" along the Chiefs offensive line and without a doubt that's where they have struggled to perform. In eight games, they've had five different starting groups, with only rookie center Mitch Morse playing in his spot for all games. The Chiefs have one of the bottom four pass protection units in the league, allowing 29 sacks in 299 passing plays. Quarterback Alex Smith has been bruised and battered, starting the season with three interceptions in the first three games. Smith now has gone five games without throwing it to the other team, and overall in the last five games the Chiefs have only two giveaways. Defensively, Kansas City has picked up the pace in forcing turnovers. In the first four games, the Chiefs had only three takeaways, but have generated eight in the four most recent games. The Chiefs are plus-three in the turnover ratio, and there are only seven teams with higher plus ratio. As with most NFL teams, the Chiefs have dealt with their share of injuries, losing their No. 1 offensive weapon when running back Jamaal Charles tore the ACL in his right knee. Kansas City also lost Phillip Gaines to a torn ACL; he was one of the club's top three cornerbacks. Offensive line injuries have slowed that group's development. Still, here they are, sitting 3-5 and they can realistically say they are still in the race for a spot in the postseason. "I think they've just stuck together," Reid said. "You've seen young guys get better. ... We've probably got more young guys playing for us than anybody in the league and they've continually gotten better. "They've had the veteran support there, in a positive way for them. And then some of the guys that were banged up or sick they've continued to get better every week. That's important." Reid never outwardly reached for the panic button when the club couldn't win a game. There were no coaching staff changes, and with the exception of the offensive line, there was little in the way of changes to the starting lineup. He feels everybody stepped up their performance, especially the guys in the locker room. "The players have upped it," Reid said. "Not that you're not going to get beat every once in a while; that happens in his league. We're playing against good players. Best in the world, right? So, they keep battling. They're not letting things get them down at all." http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/NFL/2...3581446674565/
Posts: 80,659

11-06-2015, 07:05 AM	#141
007 Shaken. Not stirred. Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Casino cash: $14060126 VARSITY	I would laugh at this prospect but it isn't worth the effort. __________________ My dear girl, there are some things that just aren’t done. Such as, drinking Dom Perignon ’53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s just as bad as listening to the Beatles without earmuffs.
Posts: 65,554

11-06-2015, 07:26 AM	#146
Mile High Mania #triggering Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Tejas Casino cash: $3707229	You have to view this thing in digestible chunks. Chiefs have 3 wins and with 8 left, you want to find a way to 9 wins.. so you can lose 2 of your remaining 8. All remaining games AFC games (big with the tiebreakers) and 5 within the division, so you want to go 3-2 in those games worst case. Problem is, of the divisional games 3 are on the road. KC has to protect their house, means you have to beat the Bills, Chargers, Browns and Raiders - not impossible by any means. Go 4-0 at home and that means you can give up 2 at either Broncos, Chargers, Raiders or Ravens. @ Broncos / @ Chargers Bills / @ Raiders then Chargers / @ Ravens Browns / Raiders All against AFC teams ... 5 within the Division and KC is 1 behind Oakland. Gotta find your way to a 3-2 record in the division, beat two of the Ravens, Bills and Browns. I think KC goes 2-2 in the next 4, meaning they will have to win out in the final 4 games. It's a tall task, not sure they can do it, but that's how it lays out. __________________
Posts: 30,258