tk13
12-06-2005, 01:31 AM
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/13336985.htm
Chiefs have that playoff glow
Improvements on offense and defense fuel optimism
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
Understand that Dick Vermeil wasn’t exactly begging for a playoff rematch with Indianapolis. He wasn’t boldly predicting success if the Chiefs meet Denver again, this time in the postseason.
But Vermeil did say on Monday that he believed this year’s team was potentially more dangerous as a playoff opponent than the 13-3, AFC West champion Chiefs of two years ago.
“This team, because of the improvement of the defense, maybe has more potential,” Vermeil said. “That defense, numbers-wise, was pretty good. We had a pretty good ranking, and we had a lot of takeaways. We were still giving up a lot of yards rushing. I think opponents felt they could score more points on that team two years ago. A real skilled team could do what Indianapolis did to us.
“That doesn’t mean Indianapolis couldn’t do it to us this year or the Dallas Cowboys won’t do it to us on Sunday.”
The 8-4 Chiefs have to make the playoffs first. That quest continues with this Sunday’s game against the 7-5 Cowboys at Texas Stadium.
The Chiefs will head to Dallas still outside of the playoff picture. They are a game behind 9-3 Denver in the division and one behind 9-3 Jacksonville for the first wild-card spot.
The Chiefs are tied with the 8-4 Chargers, but San Diego currently has the tie breaker because it beat the Chiefs two months ago.
The Chiefs would probably get a wild-card spot by winning three of their final four games as long as they get victories in the final two games against the Chargers and Bengals. Both games are at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Colts beat the Chiefs 38-31 in the playoffs at Arrowhead two years ago. The Chiefs that season staggered to the finish, losing four of their last eight games counting the postseason.
They would have some momentum if they make the playoffs this time. The Chiefs wouldn’t get a home playoff game unless they win the AFC West. That’s unlikely, despite Sunday’s 31-27 win over Denver at Arrowhead.
The Broncos play three teams with losing records, beginning with Sunday’s home game against Baltimore, before finishing the regular season at San Diego.
Still, Vermeil said he would gladly take his chances even if it means going on the road.
“That’s right,” he said. “Now, I’d like to have Priest Holmes going along with them because Larry (Johnson) is getting a lot of work.”
Vermeil’s Kansas City teams have generally finished strongly, the 2003 Chiefs being the exception. The Chiefs last year won four straight in December. In 2001, they won three consecutive games in the final month.
They are certainly playing better now than at any time this season. They’ve won three straight for the first time.
They’ve finally become dangerous offensively. The Chiefs are in the top 10 in total yards, rushing, passing and scoring for the first time this season.
The Chiefs made giant strides on defense. They allowed more big plays than they’d prefer against the Broncos but allowed only six points in the second half and made a late, game-saving stand.
They also might be as healthy against Dallas as they’ve been all season. Cornerback Eric Warfield, who left the Denver game early, should be ready to play. Pass rusher Carlos Hall didn’t play against the Broncos but probably will be available for the Cowboys.
“We’ve become close to what we’re going to be,” Vermeil said. “It took awhile. We had to get healthy, stay healthy. The defense had to continue to mature. Those things have all happened. I believe we’ll play well from here on out. I don’t know how many we’re going to win, but I believe we’re going to play well.
“Right now, we’re competitive enough to line up and play against anybody. Whether we can beat them or not, I don’t know. Our schedule is so demanding that we can’t afford a bad game.”
The slow start may have been inevitable. The Chiefs rested many of their veterans during training camp. They didn’t have Trent Green available during part of the preseason because of his medical issues.
It could be paying off now.
“We didn’t want to wear those guys out,” Vermeil said. “Will Shields is starting to play well again. He missed so much work. Willie Roaf is playing very well. Casey Wiegmann — we take him for granted, but he always plays well. Brian Waters is playing well. When that offensive line is playing together again, you’ve got a chance. If you give Trent Green time to throw the football, he’s going to make some plays.”
Chiefs have that playoff glow
Improvements on offense and defense fuel optimism
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
Understand that Dick Vermeil wasn’t exactly begging for a playoff rematch with Indianapolis. He wasn’t boldly predicting success if the Chiefs meet Denver again, this time in the postseason.
But Vermeil did say on Monday that he believed this year’s team was potentially more dangerous as a playoff opponent than the 13-3, AFC West champion Chiefs of two years ago.
“This team, because of the improvement of the defense, maybe has more potential,” Vermeil said. “That defense, numbers-wise, was pretty good. We had a pretty good ranking, and we had a lot of takeaways. We were still giving up a lot of yards rushing. I think opponents felt they could score more points on that team two years ago. A real skilled team could do what Indianapolis did to us.
“That doesn’t mean Indianapolis couldn’t do it to us this year or the Dallas Cowboys won’t do it to us on Sunday.”
The 8-4 Chiefs have to make the playoffs first. That quest continues with this Sunday’s game against the 7-5 Cowboys at Texas Stadium.
The Chiefs will head to Dallas still outside of the playoff picture. They are a game behind 9-3 Denver in the division and one behind 9-3 Jacksonville for the first wild-card spot.
The Chiefs are tied with the 8-4 Chargers, but San Diego currently has the tie breaker because it beat the Chiefs two months ago.
The Chiefs would probably get a wild-card spot by winning three of their final four games as long as they get victories in the final two games against the Chargers and Bengals. Both games are at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Colts beat the Chiefs 38-31 in the playoffs at Arrowhead two years ago. The Chiefs that season staggered to the finish, losing four of their last eight games counting the postseason.
They would have some momentum if they make the playoffs this time. The Chiefs wouldn’t get a home playoff game unless they win the AFC West. That’s unlikely, despite Sunday’s 31-27 win over Denver at Arrowhead.
The Broncos play three teams with losing records, beginning with Sunday’s home game against Baltimore, before finishing the regular season at San Diego.
Still, Vermeil said he would gladly take his chances even if it means going on the road.
“That’s right,” he said. “Now, I’d like to have Priest Holmes going along with them because Larry (Johnson) is getting a lot of work.”
Vermeil’s Kansas City teams have generally finished strongly, the 2003 Chiefs being the exception. The Chiefs last year won four straight in December. In 2001, they won three consecutive games in the final month.
They are certainly playing better now than at any time this season. They’ve won three straight for the first time.
They’ve finally become dangerous offensively. The Chiefs are in the top 10 in total yards, rushing, passing and scoring for the first time this season.
The Chiefs made giant strides on defense. They allowed more big plays than they’d prefer against the Broncos but allowed only six points in the second half and made a late, game-saving stand.
They also might be as healthy against Dallas as they’ve been all season. Cornerback Eric Warfield, who left the Denver game early, should be ready to play. Pass rusher Carlos Hall didn’t play against the Broncos but probably will be available for the Cowboys.
“We’ve become close to what we’re going to be,” Vermeil said. “It took awhile. We had to get healthy, stay healthy. The defense had to continue to mature. Those things have all happened. I believe we’ll play well from here on out. I don’t know how many we’re going to win, but I believe we’re going to play well.
“Right now, we’re competitive enough to line up and play against anybody. Whether we can beat them or not, I don’t know. Our schedule is so demanding that we can’t afford a bad game.”
The slow start may have been inevitable. The Chiefs rested many of their veterans during training camp. They didn’t have Trent Green available during part of the preseason because of his medical issues.
It could be paying off now.
“We didn’t want to wear those guys out,” Vermeil said. “Will Shields is starting to play well again. He missed so much work. Willie Roaf is playing very well. Casey Wiegmann — we take him for granted, but he always plays well. Brian Waters is playing well. When that offensive line is playing together again, you’ve got a chance. If you give Trent Green time to throw the football, he’s going to make some plays.”