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.

[Ceej]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Nothing wrong with that.

Also nothing wrong with pointing out how and why this team should actually be better.

Sorry, but "better than last year" isn't a motivator for me. ANYTHING is better than last year.

Before the season, I figured 8-8 or 9-7.

Now that I've seen the defense for three games, all bets are off - IF the offense can pull their head out of their ass. This team COULD be special, but it absolutely won't be if they keep leaning on the defense week after week.

What's wrong with wanting better?

Nothing at all.

But, when it's all that's said it bugs me. It's no different than Susan Sunshine who is predicting a Super Bowl after our 3-0 start.

I don't get to every thread on this website, and typically I avoid game threads. I know you gave the defense some praise. I don't know. I don't mind people who want better and preach that the team needs improvements, but I also like positive people who commend the good things too.*

*Again, to reiterate - I don't follow every thread on this board. And I'm not single-handedly calling you out OTWP.

[MagicHef]

Originally Posted by Mac-NinersChiefs

link for the 82 ????

Here is the link for 53% catch ratio

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/wr

now what you got?

PFF.

He's been thrown at 16 times, 11 times on target. He's caught 9, dropped 2.

Football Outsiders must have him being targeted 17 times instead of 16. That must have been quite a pass if two different organizations can't even agree on who the target was.

[Sandy Vagina]

Originally Posted by Old Dog

He's pure shit on 3rd down (or really any time he sees pressure) and as of now he's the 13th rated QB in the league throwing for a whopping 6.3 yards per attempt (26th in the league)....Hell 16 QBs right now have a higher completion percentage despite his unwillingness to throw down the field...

You can try to make yourself believe he's some kind of competent if you like, I'm not buying it.

Since you brought up ratings, do you know what he was the last 2 years? top 10 and top 5. Oh, but suddenly ratings don't matter when they work against your agenda, right? and just so we're clear... your agenda is in minimizing your own starting QB for your own team, right?

[RINGLEADER]

Originally Posted by KCUnited

I think you have to remove the 2nd half offense numbers in JAX when we clearly took our foot off the throttle.

You can do hypothetical things like removing certain stats, but the fact is that Alex Smith and the Chiefs have 1 great drive a game, a couple good ones, and about 10 where they just don't move the ball. There's a reason why Jamaal runs for 6+ yards in the fourth quarter and < 4 the other three. Run with some consistency and run to the edges and you see sustained drives instead of the constant pressure that Reid's pass happy attack yields.

[Pablo]

Originally Posted by Strongside

...and there are some cynical, jaded mother****ers on here. Rightfully so, in some cases. I just hope that some of you don't live your lives with the same pessimistic disposition that you practice in your Chiefs fandom...that is a shitty way to live your life.

This is some of the dumbest shit I've read on this forum.

"If you're cynical about a franchise that hasn't won a playoff game in two decades, a SB in over four decades, and just had the biggest failure of a season in franchise history LAST YEAR, then I just don't know what's wrong with you!"

It's safe to say that nobody's life on this board has been as much of a failure as the Chiefs organization. And there are some serious mouth breathing losers on this site.

[Sandy Vagina]

Originally Posted by MagicHef

PFF.

He's been thrown at 16 times, 11 times on target. He's caught 9, dropped 2.

Football Outsiders must have him being targeted 17 times instead of 16. That must have been quite a pass if two different organizations can't even agree on who the target was.

oh nice link... such a nice link we must have missed it... well done.

[Old Dog]

Originally Posted by Mac-NinersChiefs

Since you brought up ratings, do you know what he was the last 2 years? top 10 and top 5. Oh, but suddenly ratings don't matter when they work against your agenda, right? and just so we're clear... your agenda is in minimizing your own starting QB for your own team, right?

Was he playing for the Chiefs last year? Does last year help determine the standings this season? No?

Then the amount of ****s I give about last year are ZERO.
Thank you for playing, now go the **** away

[Pablo]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Hey look, another dimestore psychologist.

The defense and kicking game have been spectacular, and are winning games for us. I'm frustrated with the offense, of course.

But that's because I have two eyes and aren't willing to just ignore issues because we're 3-0.

You can be a fan and still be critical of pieces of the team that is underperforming. And the offense is woefully underperforming.

I'm driving 4 hours each way to go to the game Sunday.

But I'm a bad fan for stating facts, instead of burying my head in the sand and screaming "3-0" to the heavens?

Jesus, OTWP.

I can't imagine what sort of miserable prick you are in real life. Do you hit your wife every time Alex throws short of the marker on third downs as well?

Oh, and you mean to tell me that you've probably spend more money(important investment) and time(important investment) on this franchise than half of these dumbshits that want to shout you down for your "pessimism"?

Sorry. You just aren't a real fan.

[Messier]

And there's absolutely nothing wrong with being critical of the team. I'm critical of the team. I also find a way to really enjoy a win. I don't begrudge optimism. What's the point?

[Ceej]

Originally Posted by Pablo

Jesus, OTWP.

I can't imagine what sort of miserable prick you are in real life. Do you hit your wife every time Alex throws short of the marker on third downs as well?

I just think he needs a prairie fire shot this AM.

[Sandy Vagina]

Originally Posted by Old Dog

Was he playing for the Chiefs last year? Does last year help determine the standings this season? No?

Then the amount of ****s I give about last year are ZERO.
Thank you for playing, now go the **** away

a trend is a trend... your attitude sucks, and your ability for in-depth thought is even worse. GFY lil bitch, if you can't communicate without crying "go away!"

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by Pablo

"If you're cynical about a franchise that hasn't won a playoff game in two decades, a SB in over four decades, and just had the biggest failure of a season in franchise history LAST YEAR, then I just don't know what's wrong with you!"

Absolutely Perfect

[Old Dog]

Originally Posted by Messier

And there's absolutely nothing wrong with being critical of the team. I'm critical of the team. I also find a way to really enjoy a win. I don't begrudge optimism. What's the point?

I completely agree with this, I'm mainly tired of the 49er trolls telling us how great and wonderful Smith is. He's better than what we've had for a while, but he's not the second coming of Dawson.
Hell, I'm enjoying winning as much as anyone (maybe more than many....200 miles is a hell of a drive home when a team just shat all over themselves).

[Pablo]

Originally Posted by Messier

And there's absolutely nothing wrong with being critical of the team. I'm critical of the team. I also find a way to really enjoy a win. I don't begrudge optimism. What's the point?

It isn't that hard to be excited about the good things on this team.

Ex: Defense, Jamaal Charles

And pissed off about shitty things.

Ex: Our offense most of the time

People are wired in a pretty complex fashion and are able to have plenty of different emotions at once.

Crazy stuff!

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by Rausch

Smith is a logical guy.

He locates the easiest completion with lowest risk.

He completes the pass.

He moves on to the next down.

I'm sure that if Bowe was wide open by 10 or more yards he'd get thrown the ball. Honestly, that's not Bowe's game. You just have to trust Bowe to be Bowe and most of the time he'll make the play.

He also seems to be one of those WR's that's like a HB: the more he gets the ball the better he gets.

Originally Posted by Mac-NinersChiefs

actually, so far, he's made the play asked of him only 53% of the time...

Originally Posted by Rausch

Comp% will come with time. His 2nd WR didn't even become that until the preseason was about over. His main TE is injured. His O line is not exactly helping him out in pass protection.

I think his numbers will slowly bounce up to what they were the last 1.5 seasons in SF...

Originally Posted by Mac-NinersChiefs

You are deflecting... the 53% in that link clearly shows that Bowe has caught 53% of the passes thrown his way. Now without deflecting, tell me if you think that is good of Bowe.

Now, who is deflecting?

Rausch is talking about Smith completing passes.

You say, he's only making the play 53% of the time. Which is accurate - as I've pointed out, and as Rausch alreay knows, because he saw me mention the 3rd down % yesterday.

Rausch replies, "the completion percentage will come with time"

Then you somehow drag Bowe into the conversation?

You can't even keep your arguments and excuses straight.