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.

[KCTitus]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

...The big difference about this team is that they appear to know how to win. And I don't think you can overestimate the value of that...

Of course. I think that alone is the biggest difference...

In my lifetime, Ive never seen KC hit on all '3' cylinders in a game. I'd like to think it would happen, but Im taking what the offense is giving us at the moment. If we see even small progress from that unit, this team can be very good.

If KC loses Charles, this team is done.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

...and the bitching goes on

[keg in kc]

Originally Posted by KCTitus

If KC loses Charles, this team is done.

I think they're better equipped for losing Charles now than they were in 2011. Cyrus Gray might surprise some people were he forced into a more prominent role. There's just better skill position players across the board now, too, I believe (Avery, Hemingway in addition to Bowe). The hardest part would be Alex Smith having to find another primary outlet. And I think if any of the TEs ever get healthy that would (and will) be a boon.

I'm not on board with the people who think there's a lack of talent or depth at the skill positions here. The o-line is a valid concern, which I hope will work itself out in the next two months, but I think there's more here in terms of guys who can make plays than we've had in a while.

[KCTitus]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I think they're better equipped for losing Charles now than they were in 2011. Cyrus Gray might surprise some people were he forced into a more prominent role. There's just better skill position players across the board now, too, I believe (Avery, Hemingway in addition to Bowe). The hardest part would be Alex Smith having to find another primary outlet. And I think if any of the TEs ever get healthy that would (and will) be a boon.

I'm not on board with the people who think there's a lack of talent or depth at the skill positions here. The o-line is a valid concern, which I hope will work itself out in the next two months, but I think there's more here in terms of guys who can make plays than we've had in a while.

Whoa, I dont...Charles is someone that the other team has to account for. That does allow other things to come into play. Without Charles, the defenses can bring an extra man and pressure Smith to throw every down. I dont think the team has the talent in TE/WR to counteract the loss of Charles.

[keg in kc]

Originally Posted by KCTitus

Whoa, I dont...Charles is someone that the other team has to account for. That does allow other things to come into play. Without Charles, the defenses can bring an extra man and pressure Smith to throw every down. I dont think the team has the talent in TE/WR to counteract the loss of Charles.

The team is already throwing every down.

Note, however, that I said "better equipped". I'm not trying to say they wouldn't miss Charles, in any way. I just think they would still find a way to produce, presumably at or above the level that they have the first 3 weeks.

(This is assuming that the offense with Charles improves significantly, which it should...)

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by Mac-NinersChiefs

I don't know why in week 4, people are so fixated about the playoffs, and stuck in this panic that a week 4 offense won't be far better by the time the playoffs arrive. Is this one of those "move the goal posts" things? People are stunned that KC is 3-0, and so now, their next strawman is "well, they'll get their ass kicked in the playoffs, so.."

One game at a time. If this offense is exactly where they are today (or worse) in December, then it would be time to worry. Not now, for ****'s sake.

Have you read anything I've posted in the past 3 weeks?

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by Mac-NinersChiefs

I don't know why in week 4, people are so fixated about the playoffs, and stuck in this panic that a week 4 offense won't be far better by the time the playoffs arrive. Is this one of those "move the goal posts" things? People are stunned that KC is 3-0, and so now, their next strawman is "well, they'll get their ass kicked in the playoffs, so.."

One game at a time. If this offense is exactly where they are today (or worse) in December, then it would be time to worry. Not now, for ****'s sake.

You're a dumbass

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

Sure, regardless of opinions no how you win in the playoffs or the easiest way to do so, etc; at the end of the post season, the 'how' doesn't matter. The only issue with it not being pretty so far isn't necessarily the ugliness, but what it might mean against the big boys.

Yes. As of right now, what we've seen is he was masterful in the 4th against Philly and in the playoff game against New Orleans. He was pretty bad in the 4th against the Giants in the playoff game and against Dallas in week 2. So I just don't know what we fully have if we're talking about a late game QB.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

Yes. As of right now, what we've seen is he was masterful in the 4th against Philly and in the playoff game against New Orleans. He was pretty bad in the 4th against the Giants in the playoff game and against Dallas in week 2. So I just don't know what we fully have if we're talking about a late game QB.

Against Dallas?

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by O.city

Against Dallas?

In a close game, he did pretty much nothing in the 4th quarter against Dallas. I"ve said that in the playoffs, you can't make your defense win every single possession. He has to play a more Philly like 4th quarter on a regular basis if he's going to succeed as a game manager.

[KCTitus]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

The team is already throwing every down.

Note, however, that I said "better equipped". I'm not trying to say they wouldn't miss Charles, in any way. I just think they would still find a way to produce, presumably at or above the level that they have the first 3 weeks.

(This is assuming that the offense with Charles improves significantly, which it should...)

Meh...I think the offense has been somewhat balanced and that includes a steady helping of Charles. He made some key runs last week that put KC in some 2nd/3rd and short situations. With him in the game, the defense has to guess if it's going to Charles or a pass. That alone makes the offense 'better'.

I hope to see more out of the offense. Given the play of the defense last week, KC should have done much better with the opportunities they were given. That was *with* Charles. I shudder to think what it would have looked like without him.

[CoMoChief]

the difference between this and and last year is that this year's QB isn't turning over the ****in ball like the turds before him were. remember last season we were setting records for turning the ball over. Not only was it bad, it was historically bad. when you're not turning the ball over you can stay in games - with a lot of teams, esp with the talent we have on this team esp the defense. take the BAL game last season for example. it was a slap in the face to cassel (and rightfully so) but even our offensive coaching staff wasn't going to let cassel throw the ball. and for the most part we stayed in that game til the very end, and very well probably should have won that game. In this game, if you turn the ball over you're going to lose. What is the stat...something like if you're +2 in the turnover game then you're 85-90% chance of winning? thats pretty high odds folks.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Good to see you, Captain Obtuse.

Thanks!

[Sandy Vagina]

Originally Posted by SNR

You're a dumbass

Well, be a swell guy, and help a dumbass out here. I can't learn the issue with just a vague response of "you're a dumbass." Am I missing a huge piece of this puzzle? or are you just frustrated that my words are right, and that's the only response you have left?

Originally Posted by Mac-NinersChiefs
I don't know why in week 4, people are so fixated about the playoffs, and stuck in this panic that a week 4 offense won't be far better by the time the playoffs arrive. Is this one of those "move the goal posts" things? People are stunned that KC is 3-0, and so now, their next strawman is "well, they'll get their ass kicked in the playoffs, so.."

One game at a time. If this offense is exactly where they are today (or worse) in December, then it would be time to worry. Not now, for ****'s sake.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by Mac-NinersChiefs

another strawman... NO ONE thinks this here!

And how is that different than your strawman of people here that want Alwx to suck just so they can be right?