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.

[Imon Yourside]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

What does this thread/discussion have to do with Geno Smith, why do you think that anyone involved in it isn't "fully behind our team" and why does open, honest discussion have to be labeled as a "bitchfest"?

Well many of the "haters" were fully on the Draft Geno bandwagon. I was there as well. we really wanted a different QB to learn the system as a rookie and we were willing to go through the growing pains. The coaching staff went a different route and like it or not this is a short passing version of martyball. Most will hate that and although it isn't flashy or great it's exactly what Clark wanted to get the "True Fans" back on board.

[keg in kc]

Originally Posted by Wallcrawler

I don't like this subject much.

Game situation dictates playcalling quite a bit. You don't just go out and take shots to score points just to say you scored points on a drive if you've already got the lead.

The Berry pick 6 in Philly put the Chiefs up 10 points. Obviously youre not going to have super aggressive playcalls offensively with that. Why would you force the ball down field, maybe make a mistake, when you already have a 2 score advantage?

That's a simple answer: Philadelphia is a team that can score quickly. You never take your foot off the gas. Particularly not early in the game.

And the truth is that we didn't take our foot off the gas. Unless the theory is that the offense was failing to execute the plays called by design.

[Mr. Plow]

Originally Posted by Pablo

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

Herm Edwards killed the happiness.

[Imon Yourside]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Chicago.

San Diego.

Philly.

All teams with new offensive philosophies, coaches and majority of new OLmen.

Also, all teams scoring 26+ PPG.

No excuses.

All of those teams also retained the same QB.

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by Rausch

I doubt that.

I think we'll start 4-0 and then finish 6-6.

10-6, road playoff game, lose by about 13 pts.

Better than I expected and good enough to sell the team on the Dorsey/Phat Andy rebuild...

10 and 6 with a first round playoff loss is what I predicted as soon as they traded for Alex Smith. Life is good and the stadium is full!

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

That's a simple answer: Philadelphia is a team that can score quickly. You never take your foot off the gas. Particularly not early in the game.

And the truth is that we didn't take our foot off the gas. Unless the theory is that the offense was failing to execute the plays called by design.

We've never had our foot ON the gas.

[Mr. Plow]

Originally Posted by vailpass

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

Are you the one with the bisexual wife/girlfriend because that would make the trip more entertaining.

[JENKINSWINS]

Looks pretty good to me. I think with a little more time it will become more efficient. Patience!

http://youtu.be/eZBVOi-zLwg

[warrior]

Originally Posted by Wallcrawler

I don't like this subject much.

Game situation dictates playcalling quite a bit. You don't just go out and take shots to score points just to say you scored points on a drive if you've already got the lead.

The Berry pick 6 in Philly put the Chiefs up 10 points. Obviously youre not going to have super aggressive playcalls offensively with that. Why would you force the ball down field, maybe make a mistake, when you already have a 2 score advantage?

Keep in mind that this is the worst team in the league from last year, and we're running a brand new offense. Generally, this is a recipe for horrible starts, but thanks to the defense, and thanks in huge part to our quarterback not giving the football up, we're 3-0.

In the Cowboys game, and the Eagles game, when the chips were down and the offense had to stay on the football field, they did. Alex drove the team right down the field an answered the Cowboys with a TD to Bowe in the second half. Then another big drive for the FG to put us up scores.

That drive in the 4th quarter against the Eagles from the 5 yard line? Nails. That was a clock destroying, point scoring drive.

Offense isn't just about points. Its about killing the clock and keeping the other team incabable of putting up points of their own because their offense is riding the pine.

The O is good enough to be 3-0. They haven't peaked, and they will get better as the season goes on. That O-line certainly cant get much worse.

Good post and you gave credit were it was due

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by KILLER_CLOWN

All of those teams also retained the same QB.

Who had to learn a new system with new coaches and linemen, just like Smith.

Your point?

[ptlyon]

Lets fly a banner

[Mr. Plow]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

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?

I'm not sure why this is so hard for some to understand. Be excited for 3-0, I am. But be realistic that the offense (as a whole) is horrible and needs a lot of work.

[Mr. Plow]

Originally Posted by Ceej

This short bus will be filled up in no time.

I CALL BACKSEAT!!!

THERE'S ROOM ON MY LAP!!1!1!!

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by HemiEd

10 and 6 with a first round playoff loss is what I predicted as soon as they traded for Alex Smith. Life is good and the stadium is full!

I expected this in YEAR ONE.

I don't expect this year's team to be the norm.

And I think we'll upgrade the "QB surroundings" until we draft a QB (which I fully expect to happen.)

I don't expect it to be a QB this draft (2014) either...

[Imon Yourside]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Who had to learn a new system with new coaches and linemen, just like Smith.

Your point?

At least those guys had familiarity with their playmakers or skill positions.