Chiefs' offense: "one of the worst in the league, by nearly every measure"

[the Talking Can]

http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2013/9...chiefs-offense

some numbers to chew on from arrowhead pride

The Chiefs are actually 12th in the league in PPG, at 23.7. But if you take away the 14 points the defense is directly responsible for, that number drops to 19 PPG, which would be tied for 23rd - with the Raiders. The Chiefs are relying on the defense to score points, which isn't good. Defensive scoring is random and shouldn't be part of the game plan. They didn't need Tamba Hali's pick-6 to beat the Jaguars, but they did need Eric Berry's against the Eagles.

They also are just not moving the ball; their 333 yds/gm is 21st in the league and their 4.9 yds/play ranks 25th. "Well Kyle," you may ask, " if the Chiefs offense is so bad, how are they undefeated this year?" That's an excellent question, thank you for asking. The answer is that the defense and special teams are much, much better than we thought.

The problem the Chiefs are having is getting to the Red Zone in the first place. They're 30th in yards per drive, with only Tampa Bay and Jacksonville behind them, and Cleveland directly in front of them (not good company to be in). This is a really, really bad offense. But here's the real kicker: the Chiefs' offense has the best starting field position in the NFL this year, and still can't score.

The Chiefs average 17 yards per drive better field position than their opponents (ok, ok, 16.95), the best mark in the NFL (2nd table). Only two other teams average more than 10 yards better starting field position than their opponents (New England and Chicago). The Chiefs' average starting line of scrimmage (LOS) is their own 36.97 yard line (best in the NFL), while their opponents average starting LOS is their own 20.02 yard line (also best in the NFL). What all of that means is the Chiefs's offense is handed consistently great starting field position and can't do anything with it, then they let the special teams pin opponents deep in their own territory. The defense bails out the offense by not letting opponents move the ball, giving the offense the ball back with great starting field position. Lather, rinse, repeat.

There's a nice breakdown of our defense against philly over there as well:
http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2013/9/2...p-kelly-eagles

I have to reiterate and emphasize just how much the Chiefs played man to man -- like a ton of it. And they have the secondary to handle it, unlike most teams in the NFL. Specifically, they matched up Sean Smith on Cooper a lot on the outside. If this had been a prize fight, Cooper's corner would have thrown in the towel somewhere around the middle of the second quarter. Smith owned him right up until the end of the game when he started cramping up. Cooper just couldn't shake him, especially on those aforementioned deep routes Kelly had him running all game.

[Pablo]

Originally Posted by Mr. Plow

You can put me on that bus as well.

WHY CANT YOU GUYS JUST BE HAPPY???????

[vailpass]

Originally Posted by Mr. Plow

You can put me on that bus as well.

There's a seat open next to mine.
And I snuck a bottle in...

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by Mr. Plow

You can put me on that bus as well.

Is anyone fine with that? I have yet to read here where its fine to lose in the playoffs.

Where is this coming from? Who is advocating that? What a bunch of dumb asses they must be.

I remember in 2010 when we lost in the playoffs to Baltimore and I was like, man at least we tried. That was fun.

Oh wait, no I got ****ing pissed off like hell and it ruined my whole week.

So because of that I cant enjoy being 3-0?

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

I just looked it up.

3rd and 2 or less to go we have converted 1 out of 6 attempts.

Thats pathetic. We should be at least 80% on those plays.

3rd and 2 or less - AS is completing 33%

3rd and 8 or less - 47%.

51% on 3rd down period.

[aturnis]

Originally Posted by loochy

NO THATS JUST ALEX SMITH BEING EFFICIENT

IF THE DEFENDING IS GOOD THEN THE OFFENSE IS SUPPOSED TO SUCK

ANDY REID VANILLA OFFENSE DOESN'T WANT TO GIVE AWAY SUPER TOP SECRET PLAYS

/Smith Homer dumbasses

It's so true!

[ViperVisor]

every measure other than the most significant one... Turnovers

[Ceej]

Originally Posted by Mr. Plow

You can put me on that bus as well.

This short bus will be filled up in no time.

I CALL BACKSEAT!!!

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

3rd and 2 or less - AS is completing 33%

3rd and 8 or less - 47%.

51% on 3rd down period.

3rd and 8-10 he is 60% averaging 10.6 yards.

2nd and 6+ he is converting 69%.

Yada yada yada.

You think that is worse than 1-6 on 3rd and 2 or less running?

[RealSNR]

Remember when the Chiefs went 9-0 in 2003, and there was a steady supply of healthy criticism for the defense that was only a slight improvement over the exceptionally putrid 2002 form?

God, the bitching. And I'm not talking about the people who were critical of the defense. I mean the people who were bitching about the people bitching about the defense. Guess what? It's the same thing here. People in 2003 were outright PISSED and appalled that some people could find fault with the Vermeil 9-0 team when they were still undefeated. I see the same thing happening here. The defense is good. We got it. Within the first few days after the Philly game, we had posted every ball-washing blog and media source available that heaped praises on our defense. There's really not much more to say about this defense and how good it is that hasn't already been said before (unless you're Sorter and want to collaborate with GoChiefs on breaking down all the different formations).

Meanwhile, the offense IS a piece of shit right now, and coming up with possible solutions and ways we can improve and WHY we need to improve are the hot topic issues. That's just the way it goes.

If you don't have that, what's this forum? What the **** is it? What does this forum look like in the Utopian CP Society mind of "just enjoy the ride" fan? I'll tell you what it looks like:

"3-0! WOOOO!"

"JAMAAL CHARLES! WOOO!"

"JUSTIN HOUSTON! WOOO!"

"I HATE DENVER! WOOO!"

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

I will never understand why people care as long as the play worked.

I watch every team in the league throw the ball underneath on 3rd and long. Every team does it. You know why? The defense is guarding against the deep pass. Thats why most deep passes are on early downs.

Furthermore watch the game again and on that first one Smith had a millisecond to get rid of the ball to Avery who got the 1st on 3rd and 17. He couldn't have thrown down field if a guy was running wide open.

No time whatsoever.

The conversation was about Smith passing intermediate/deep and my argument was he'll always take the less risky (which tends to be the shorter) completion.

He responded with the "3rd and long" numbers.

My point would be that Alex didn't do anything different: after the catch players made plays.

I really don't care about "how" plays are made I'm simply pointing out predicable patterns in Smith's play.

[MahiMike]

Biggest difference is 3rd down conversions. Alex and avery can move those chains.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by Rausch

The conversation was about Smith passing intermediate/deep and my argument was he'll always take the less risky (which tends to be the shorter) completion.

He responded with the "3rd and long" numbers.

My point would be that Alex didn't do anything different: after the catch players made plays.

I really don't care about "how" plays are made I'm simply pointing out predicable patterns in Smith's play.

We need to throw down field more but I don't expect it on 3rd down.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by ViperVisor

every measure other than the most significant one... Turnovers

Was waiting patiently for this bullshit.

I love the attitude that because he's not turning the ball over, it's OK to not be able to score.

Geno Smith. 6 INT's.

YOU CAN'T WIN TURNING THE BALL OVER.

Drew Brees. 4 INT's.

YOU CAN'T WIN TURNING THE BALL OVER.

Matt Schaub. 4 INT's.

YOU CAN'T WIN TURNING THE BALL OVER.

Jay Cutler. Andy Dalton.

YOU CAN'T WIN TURNING THE BALL OVER.

[RealSNR]

Also, since when does going 2-14 the year before mean you're obligated to shut your ****ing trap when the team starts out well the following season?

Aberrations aside, it's STILL a 2-14 team that was in Kansas City just 9 months ago. There's still shit that sucks wastewater about this team. All some fans are doing is saying work needs to be done. It's only when douchetards like MacNinersChiefs storm in to defend this garbage offense with sophistry and bullshit that things get ugly, and the critical fans are forced into a corner that looks like they're being too hard on the team.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Rausch

The conversation was about Smith passing intermediate/deep and my argument was he'll always take the less risky (which tends to be the shorter) completion.

He responded with the "3rd and long" numbers.

My point would be that Alex didn't do anything different: after the catch players made plays.

I really don't care about "how" plays are made I'm simply pointing out predicable patterns in Smith's play.

And YAC is going to drop when the Chiefs face better defenses... (it was not very high against Dallas, which is probably the best D KC has played, but not THAT special).