Chiefs' winning streak masks sputtering offense

[oaklandhater]

http://www.wfmz.com/sports/chiefs-wi...ense/165501605


By: The Sports Xchange
Posted: Nov 16, 2016 07:17 PM EST
Updated: Nov 16, 2016 07:17 PM EST

Given the circumstances of the past year, it seems there's only the slightest chance the Kansas City Chiefs will lose during the regular season.

Ten consecutive victories at the end of the 2015 season were followed by a 7-2 record over the current schedule; no team in the NFL can match that type of winning ... during the regular season. Those 17 wins are three more than Seattle (14-4-1) and four ahead of New England (13-6) and Denver (13-7) in that time span.

Andy Reid and his staff have produced a balanced team on both offense and defense, that's been the textbook definition of complementary football. They are the NFL's under-the-radar contender, with few superstars on the roster.

But a five-game winning streak has provided a bit of cover for a large and nasty looking pimple growing on the Chiefs' 2016 season. Reid's offense is struggling to score points, with just one touchdown over the last two games. Kansas City has not reached the end zone in its last seven quarters of play.

"Three weeks ago we were kind of right there doing our thing, doing well in the third down and doing well in the red zone," Reid said. "Our third-down percentage the last two weeks has just been terrible. We have to take care of that first."

They are now ranked No. 26 in offensive yards at 332.8 yards per game. The Chiefs have 16 offensive touchdowns, ranking them No. 27 in the league.

And, there are those pesky third down and red zone problems that were very visible in the 20-17 victory over Carolina last Sunday.

On third downs, they converted just twice in 12 chances, an ugly 17 percent conversion rate. The Chiefs made three trips inside the Carolina 20-yard line. In six plays there, they gained just three yards. Quarterback Alex Smith did not complete any of his four passes. They settled for three field goals.

For the 2016 season, they are in the No. 29 spot among the league's 32 teams on third downs, with an overall conversion rate of 34.7 percent. They are tied for No. 30 in touchdown success in the red zone, with 12 scores on 30 opportunities or 40 percent of the time. Only Washington carries a lower touchdown percentage at 38.9 percent.

"I felt like we've been out of character the last two of weeks," said Smith, who missed the Jacksonville game after taking two blows to the head in the previous game. "I think everyone on offense would agree. I think we all want to get back to our form and play the way we're capable of.

"It's a lot of things, being better on first and second down. It's also critical situations like third down and red zone. Those are difference-makers in games. If you play well on those downs, your chances of winning greatly increase."

The Chiefs seldom turn the ball over - just one turnover in the five-game streak and only eight on the season - and pass protection has improved as they've allowed nine sacks in the five victories.

It's penalties that have hurt the offense, putting the Chiefs in bad third down situations and keeping them out of the end zone. Over the last two games, Kansas City picked up a first down only three times in 26 third down chances.

"We have these third and gazillion yards," Reid said. "There have been too many penalties that are working into that and putting us into long yardage situations. We have to take care of that first.

"We have to stay aggressive in the red zone. But there is a time and place to check it down or run it; I have to make sure I'm giving the guys the opportunity to do that."

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by Mr. Plow

Love the mentality around here. You are either a full on homer or full on hater. It's not an either/or situation.

Nobody can be happy that we are winning and concerned that the offense is a liability at this point.

I'm neither. I recognize our limitations, but I can pound my keyboard until my fingers bleed and it isn't going to change a thing.

[oaklandhater]

Originally Posted by Dartgod

I'm neither. I recognize our limitations, but I can pound my keyboard until my fingers bleed and it isn't going to change a thing.

What the hell is the point of watching sports if you can't talk about the strengths and weakness of your team just

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by oaklandhater

What the hell is the point of watching sports if you can't talk about the strengths and weakness of your team just

You'll understand someday when you reach puberty.

[oaklandhater]

Originally Posted by Dartgod

You'll understand someday when you reach puberty.

Personal insult instead of defending the issue

School of Dane

You're a bastion of maturity today....

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by oaklandhater

Personal insult instead of defending the issue

School of Dane

You're a bastion of maturity today....

I already defended my position. What good does it do to get so ****ing angry about the situation?

All you and your ilk do is go on and on and on and on and on about how much Alex sucks. Good God, give it a rest.

[PAChiefsGuy]

oaklandhater is clearly a crybaby. 7-2 and all he wants to do is get mad that we don't have the #1 offense in the league. Who cares as long as we keep winning?

Is it a concern? Yes but it's not the end of the world with pretty much half the season left to play. Broncos offense sucked last year too and they won the SB.

[oaklandhater]

Originally Posted by PAChiefsGuy

oaklandhater is clearly a crybaby. 7-2 and all he wants to do is get mad that we don't have the #1 offense in the league. Who cares as long as we keep winning?

Is it a concern? Yes but it's not the end of the world with pretty much half the season left to play. Broncos offense sucked last year too and they won the SB.

and Ravens won the super bowl with an amazing Defense it Doesn't mean shit to me

1 our defense is amazing but its not Denver/Ravens elite good its mostly turnovers which will not LAST AND YOU SHOULD NEVER COUNT ON IT'S A GAMBLE STAT

2 our offense is ranked 28 out of 32 we were 27 last year DEN WAS 16 THEY WERE MILES AHEAD OF US LAST YEAR AND ARE STILL MILES AHEAD OF US ITS NOT THE SAME THING OUR OFFENSE somehow looks worse this year then last year.

[oaklandhater]

http://www.espn.com/nfl/statistics/team/_/stat/total

look at the chiefs neighbors from 25 up you think any of those teams are gonna do well in the playoffs ?

[oaklandhater]

we are ranked 22 on total defense this year F-turnovers they won't last and should never be counted on It's full on homer to think this team is not flawed just cause there Winning.

[oaklandhater]

Originally Posted by Dartgod

I already defended my position. What good does it do to get so ****ing angry about the situation?

All you and your ilk do is go on and on and on and on and on about how much Alex sucks. Good God, give it a rest.

Why come in there then if its just gonna get your Panties all twisted up Alex has sucked all season it's fact and Reid is sucking at Play calling for most of the season it's fact this thread title would seem like we are gonna cover this issue no ?

[KCTitus]

"We have to stay aggressive in the red zone. But there is a time and place to check it down or run it; I have to make sure I'm giving the guys the opportunity to do that."

LOL...there's a time and place to run a bubble screen and the 3yd line AINT IT!

[Mile High Mania]

Anything can happen...

If the defense can play lights out consistently, then you're in the hunt as long as the offense doesn't screw it up. It's frustrating, but patience is a virtue. As they always say - Defense wins Championships. Nobody said it would be pretty.

[alpha_omega]

Sounds pretty accurate to me.

[Sandy Vagina]

Originally Posted by PAChiefsGuy

oaklandhater is clearly a crybaby.

Is it a concern? Yes but it's not the end of the world with pretty much half the season left to play.

this is pretty well what it comes down to, sadly...

Originally Posted by Dartgod

I already defended my position. What good does it do to get so ****ing angry about the situation?

All you and your ilk do is go on and on and on and on and on about how much Alex sucks. Good God, give it a rest.

it's as if "your opinion is duly noted" does not exist here.

Over and over and over.. the same crying from the same dipshits. Yes, we all get it. The offense is not performing to expectations. Yes, the QB is not performing to expectations.. and it could might maybe possibly keep KC from venturing all the way to a SB.

We HEAR YOU.... so stop beating this same dead horse. The O will either improve.. or it won't.. and they will either move on from the QB... or they won't.

.. but the repetitive crybaby shit is so played out.

(obviously not directed AT you, Dart)

[rico]

Originally Posted by Mr. Plow

Love the mentality around here. You are either a full on homer or full on hater. It's not an either/or situation.

Nobody can be happy that we are winning and concerned that the offense is a liability at this point.

I am happy we are winning, but am concerned with Reid's play calling and straight up can't stand Alex Smith...I am happy that we have been finding ways to win, though.