SI: The Chiefs Have Been Figured Out

[BigRedChief]

When a good team loses, people wonder aloud if there’s now a blueprint for how to beat them. Usually it’s overblown, if not outright nonsensical. But every once in a while, it’s legitimate. Like right now, and the blueprint to beat the Kansas City Chiefs.

On October 15, the Chiefs took the field against Pittsburgh with a 5-0 record. They had been averaging an NFL-best 32.8 points a game, and Alex Smith was deemed an early MVP candidate. That day, however, the Steelers beat the Chiefs 19-13. Alex Smith had 246 yards thanks to some fluky, late-in-the-down big plays, but overall Kansas City’s offense had been stymied. And it has remained stymied. Since the Steelers’ plane touched down in K.C., the Chiefs are 1-5. They’re averaging 18 points per game during that stretch, including their 10-point performance in defeat at home against a reeling Bills team on Sunday.

So what blueprint did the Steelers set? A passive one. Instead of attacking Smith and Co., they stayed back in soft zone coverage. They kept everything in front of them and rallied to the ball. It was a simple, but brilliant, approach.

The gadgets and gimmicks that comprise Andy Reid’s offense, the tools they had used to light up the Patriots in Foxboro on opening night, suddenly stopped working. The misdirection that had given opponents fits, with ploys like speedy Tyreek Hill racing one way and the ball optioning back another, became null. If defenders don’t match up and follow offensive players, then those gadgets and misdirections are less effective. Instead of following Hill (or any Chiefs player) and becoming out-leveraged pawns against Reid’s designs, defenders now guard an area of the field, forcing Reid to play to them.

Against the Chiefs, it’s especial important that edge defenders play with zone integrity. This includes cornerbacks underneath. Those are the men who handle Hill on the perimeter and force Smith to read a suddenly shrunken field inside.

So yes, there’s a blueprint. How do the Chiefs respond? Some are calling for first-round rookie quarterback Patrick Mahomes to take over. But the only reason Reid would bench Smith is if the head coach truly believed that those gadgets and misdirection concepts can never work again. Because if Reid went with the more talented but inexperienced Mahomes, he’d have to throw out much of those concepts, along with many of his multi-progression designs. At Texas Tech, Mahomes played in a spread offense, which, notably, he ran with very little discipline. Raw sandlot playmaking prowess works in college, but it does not transfer to the NFL—not as a quarterback’s foundation, anyway. It will take at least an offseason (and probably more) for Mahomes to develop the awareness and discipline to run a full-fledged NFL offense, particularly one as comprehensive as Reid’s.

What the Chiefs must do in the here and now is punish defenses for playing zone. You do that by going for big plays. Re-establishing a sustainable ground and screen game with rookie running back Kareem Hunt is important, sure, but the threat of steady, sustained drives is not what worries defensive coordinators—especially coordinators who are playing zone. Big plays worry them. And it’s that worry that will drag defensive play-callers away from soft zones, giving Kansas City’s foundational misdirection and gadgetry a chance to start working again.

You beat zones by attacking them vertically. Instead of aligning Hill and all-world tight end Travis Kelce all over the formation and finding creative ways to get them the ball, align those two together on the same side and run them downfield against the same zone defender. In football parlance, that’s called sending “two through a zone.” It forces zone defenders to make either-or decisions.

Most of this occurs near the seams and middle of the field, where you’re facing safeties and linebackers. In that scenario, even when the defender is right his result can still be wrong, given that few safeties and linebackers can match up with Kelce, and none can match up with Hill. One or two big plays like this and the Chiefs can get a defense adjusting (or even abandoning) its zone coverages.

For Kansas City, the tricky part with this approach is that you bump into some of Smith’s limitations. A quarterback must throw with velocity and anticipation when attacking zone coverage downfield. That has never been Smith’s game. There was a play in the first half of the Buffalo loss that made the rounds on Twitter. Kelce got open on a deep “over” route, running diagonally across the field. Smith didn’t target him. Instead, he threw underneath the instant the pocket started to crumble. To hit Kelce, Smith would have had to climb up in that crumbling pocket and throw from an unideal platform. That takes arm strength that Smith doesn’t have.

When the action gets messy around Smith, his instinct has always been to tuck the ball and look for space. That throw to Kelce would have also required some anticipation, which Smith—smart as he is—rarely throws with. Generally Smith must see an open receiver before turning it loose.

This probably doesn’t sound like a great case for keeping Mahomes on the bench and Smith on the field, but remember: With strong pass protection, Smith has been more than serviceable for Kansas City in recent years, including on downfield zone-beating designs. (For example, ask the Texans how fun it is to play Cover 4 against Smith.) And if the zone-beating designs are really sharp—which, with Reid’s knack for forecasting coverages, they often are—then Smith can get your offense functioning on-schedule snap after snap. You almost certainly would not get that with a 22-year-old Mahomes.

But again, Smith needs space for this to work. A lot rides on Kansas City’s O-line, which has been up and down. The misdirection and gadgetry naturally slowed defenses early in the year, aiding that line. But since defenses have started playing straight zone, their pass rushes have been more decisive and destructive. The Chiefs face five dangerous pass rushing teams to finish out the schedule:

• The Jets, who have no edge rushers but can collapse your pocket inside
• The Raiders, who have grossly underachieved in their four-man rush but still have Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin
• The Chargers, who have the league’s best edge-rushing tandem in Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram
• The Dolphins and all of the stunts and twists they do with their strong defensive tackles and limber ends
• And the Broncos, who build around the game’s best defensive player, Von Miller.

It’s imperative Kansas City’s O-line rise to these challenges and give its veteran quarterback the space he needs. If it doesn’t, then a conversation about Mahomes must commence earlier than they would like.

https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/11/27/kansas-city-chiefs-alex-smith-andy-reid-losing-streak-offense

[Simply Red]

Thanks to them

[Molitoth]

Sounds like he knows what he is talking about.... until you see all of the gifs of WR's running downfield open with Alex refusing to throw the ball.

[HemiEd]

Interesting point of view.

[KC_Lee]

What the Chiefs must do in the here and now is punish defenses for playing zone. You do that by going for big plays. Re-establishing a sustainable ground and screen game with rookie running back Kareem Hunt is important, sure, but the threat of steady, sustained drives is not what worries defensive coordinators—especially coordinators who are playing zone. Big plays worry them. And it’s that worry that will drag defensive play-callers away from soft zones, giving Kansas City’s foundational misdirection and gadgetry a chance to start working again.

And this is why the Chiefs will continue to falter with Smith as QB. It's against his very nature to take chances with big plays.

[Easy 6]

Suggesting that Mahomes needs multiple years on the bench is just plain wrong

But he got it right by pointing out that Hunt needs to be more involved in the passing game, what happened to the screens, and wheel and seam routes?

He is also right about the O line, sure you can put much of it on teams not fearing Smiths ability to beat them deep and so they stack the box... but when a 4 man rush can consistently beat that groups pass pro, its a genuine problem regardless of Smith

Andy Heck ****ing SUCKS and I've said so for a good ten years, all the way back when he was with the Bears

[Black Bob]

Between Reid, Nagy, and Childers, there are too many hands on this offense. They need to start lining up in the i-form and pounding the rock. It needs to be simple with good execution. It seems like every other play is a borderline trick play out of the pistol or shotgun formations. I think Alex should call the plays this week. He obviously isn't comfortable and he is a master of the offense. The result would definitely be better. Make it public and hold him accountable. If he sucks after that, switch QBs. This should be his last shot.

[TEX]

I wouldn't mind the losing if the Chiefs would go down swinging so to speak. They're just losing the same way - trying to run against a stacked box, checking down under the Cover Two, and when they do happen to beat it, Alex keeps missing the WR's.

[Dayze]

we're having trouble running out of formations that could be pass or run.....what do you think the defenses will do when we line up in an I formation for anything other than short yardage?

[Black Bob]

we're having trouble running out of formations that could be pass or run.....what do you think the defenses will do when we line up in an I formation for anything other than short yardage?

Either Kelce or Hill will have single coverage every play if they stack the Box against the I-formation.

The pistol and shotgun forces defenses to use the nickel package and that negates our speed.

Teams aren't regularly stacking the box against us. That is A misconception. Teams are doubling either Hill or Kelce and spying on Alex/RB to run. Runs out of those formations take forever to develop. We would be much more effective out of the I-form with the talent we have. How about some bootlegs? Isn't that why we got Schwartz?

We are way to predictable. We literally need to come out and play a completely different offense imo. I bet we see a lot more QB under center this week. I also think Childress gets fired. Our Urban Meyer college offense has run its course.

[Trivers]

Rep! Thank you for sharing.

[The Franchise]

Suggesting that Mahomes needs multiple years on the bench is just plain wrong

But he got it right by pointing out that Hunt needs to be more involved in the passing game, what happened to the screens, and wheel and seam routes?

He is also right about the O line, sure you can put much of it on teams not fearing Smiths ability to beat them deep and so they stack the box... but when a 4 man rush can consistently beat that groups pass pro, its a genuine problem regardless of Smith

Andy Heck ****ing SUCKS and I've said so for a good ten years, all the way back when he was with the Bears

Hunt was open multiple times in the Bills game and Smith flat out missed him.

[WhiteWhale]

FFS, Andy is calling the zone breaker plays.

The QB isn't making the throws.

[CaliforniaChief]

That article does nothing but reinforce for me that it's time to go to Mahomes. You have to beat them vertically. Watch Smith after the snap. He has this twitch that looks like he's just going to go down. He's scarred.

[The Franchise]

This worthless fuck can't even make correct reads on the read option plays that they're running. He has an offense tailor made for him and he's fucking it up.

[Black Bob]

The offensive strategy is the problem. We can talk about passing all day but we can't run the ball out of those stupid formations. It's time to completely change the offensive system, not the QB. If that doesn't work, then you think about benching Smith.

[Black Bob]

This worthless **** can't even make correct reads on the read option plays that they're running. He has an offense tailor made for him and he's ****ing it up.

So it's Alex's fault the league figured it out? That's a pretty dumb post man. I know you want him to fail but think about it. He's not drawing up or calling the plays.

[notorious]

:facepalm:

[chiefzilla1501]

So it's Alex's fault the league figured it out? That's a pretty dumb post man. I know you want him to fail but think about it. He's not drawing up or calling the plays.

They ran a conventional offense much of the first half. Alex was staring down his primary read and then checking down. Yes, it's his ****ing fault. There are tons of plays every game where he has a clear read that he refuses to throw to.

Despite what the article says, our level of putrid play is consistent with how we've played in years past much of the time. Alex just doesn't have the speed to run anymore so he's bailing himself out less. And he doesn't have the defense gifting him with low points and several drives a game of excellent field position. Take those 2 things away and we've exposed what an average qb he is.

Reid is scheming to Alexs limitations. That's the problem. First of all, Alex can't call plays and if he did, he'd check out of them anyway or throw only to the flats or underneath routes or to the tight end. Which plays into the same damn trap that's been set for him all year long.

[Hammock Parties]

Alex Smith's last 28 drives: 14 punts, 5 interceptions, 4 field goals, 1 TD

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DPpwRrXVwAAb42-.jpg:large

[BleedingRed]

So it's Alex's fault the league figured it out? That's a pretty dumb post man. I know you want him to fail but think about it. He's not drawing up or calling the plays.

NO Black Bob, the league hasn't figured Andy's offense out. It is not being RUN PROPERLY......


The first, and most important thing in the West Coast offense is the deep ball. And Alex SUCK DICK AT IT, and he Hesitates to much.

[Chiefnj2]

So it's Alex's fault the league figured it out? That's a pretty dumb post man. I know you want him to fail but think about it. He's not drawing up or calling the plays.

You seriously don't think Alex plays a large part in the offensive woes? Yes, play calling is suspect. Yes, run blocking sucks. But, don't you think that if Alex went deep more often and stretched the field, it would open up the inside run game a bit?

[BleedingRed]

You seriously don't think Alex plays a large part in the offensive woes? Yes, play calling is suspect. Yes, run blocking sucks. But, don't you think that if Alex went deep more often and stretched the field, it would open up the inside run game a bit?

I don't think play calling is suspect. I believe Alex is throwing itto the wrong target. He is not seeing his reads for shit!

[WhiteWhale]

So it's Alex's fault the league figured it out? That's a pretty dumb post man. I know you want him to fail but think about it. He's not drawing up or calling the plays.

No, he's failing at breaking the zones when those plays are called.

Which results in teams not being forced out of their game plan which is designed entirely to stop the run/gimmick throws.

If the QB starts breaking the zones, they start playing more man, and the edges open up.

[WhiteWhale]

Alex Smith's last 28 drives: 14 punts, 5 interceptions, 4 field goals, 1 TD

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DPpwRrXVwAAb42-.jpg:large

I blame the offensive line, coaches, WR's, TE's and running backs. :drool:

[The Franchise]

Is the offensive line as good as it could be? No. But they aren't a bottom 5-10 unit in the league like most people would have you believe. They have to have the toughest job in the NFL because Smith shits his pants in 2 seconds and then does his half scramble half happy feet bullshit and gets sacked.

[BleedingRed]

Is the offensive line as good as it could be? No. But they aren't a bottom 5-10 unit in the league like most people would have you believe. They have to have the toughest job in the NFL because Smith shits his pants in 2 seconds and then does his half scramble half happy feet bullshit and gets sacked.

This........

[RunKC]

Is the offensive line as good as it could be? No. But they aren't a bottom 5-10 unit in the league like most people would have you believe. They have to have the toughest job in the NFL because Smith shits his pants in 2 seconds and then does his half scramble half happy feet bullshit and gets sacked.

I'm sure Clay could easily find the pic of the formation. If not I'll do it when I get home from work.

There was a play yesterday on the KC 11 yard line with 48 seconds left in the 1st Q. I-formation with Kelce on the line next to Fisher and Hill/Robinson on the outside each.
Bills had 8 men in the box all to stop Kareem.Alex saw this with 12 seconds on the playclock and didn't audible.

Result of the play? Kareem Hunt 5 yard loss. Bills knew the play and Kareem never had a shot.

This was the highlight of what's wrong. Single coverage with 1 single high safety deep and Alex won't audible. It's man freaking coverage...the Bills were BEGGING Alex to throw and he didn't change the play.

[SuperBowl4]

Remember the CHIEFS 28 point playoff game lead at Indianapolis in the third quarter with Alex Smith under center? It's been Mahomes time since then!

[The Franchise]

I'm sure Clay could easily find the pic of the formation. If not I'll do it when I get home from work.

There was a play yesterday on the KC 11 yard line with 48 seconds left in the 1st Q. I-formation with Kelce on the line next to Fisher and Hill/Robinson on the outside each.
Bills had 8 men in the box all to stop Kareem.Alex saw this with 12 seconds on the playclock and didn't audible.

Result of the play? Kareem Hunt 5 yard loss. Bills knew the play and Kareem never had a shot.

This was the highlight of what's wrong. Single coverage with 1 single high safety deep and Alex won't audible. It's man freaking coverage...the Bills were BEGGING Alex to throw and he didn't change the play.

I don't fucking trust him to make those decisions. He's been complete ass in the last 6 games when it comes to audibles and reads.

[BleedingRed]

I don't ****ing trust him to make those decisions. He's been complete ass in the last 6 games when it comes to audibles and reads.

And he has refused to go deep since week 5

[ModSocks]

The offensive strategy is the problem. We can talk about passing all day but we can't run the ball out of those stupid formations. It's time to completely change the offensive system, not the QB. If that doesn't work, then you think about benching Smith.

Are you claiming that teams don't run against light defensive packages? Teams do that all the time. Hell, Pitt did it to the Chiefs.

Get them into nickel/dime and run it at them.

That's not the issue. The issue is exactly what was stated in the OP. The defenses are maintaining their gaps, sitting back and then attacking. They're constantly looking forward. They don't worry about big plays over the top or anything of that nature because Smith simply doesn't take the shots.

And when he does? What? One or two a game? A defense will live with that.

Alex completing one or two passes downfield a game won't make a lick of difference, assuming he can even do that. Because defenses know, much more often than not, Alex won't make that play again.

[ARROW2]

What the FUCK else does Andy have to do? Eat a plate of ribs you FAT FUCK!!!

[Easy 6]

Hunt was open multiple times in the Bills game and Smith flat out missed him.

Cant argue with that, the anger temporarily fogged up my memory

To expound on that a bit, Reids offense isnt the problem IMO... its the man running it

[Black Bob]

Are you claiming that teams don't run against light defensive packages? Teams do that all the time. Hell, Pitt did it to the Chiefs.

Get them into nickel/dime and run it at them.

That's not the issue.

I'm claiming that's all we do, everyone knows it, and it is easy to stop. Running out of the shotgun or pistol all the time does not work in the NFL. Our biggest problem is that we can't run the ball.

Line up with the QB under center, run the ball, boot legs, and play action passes and you will see immediate success. All this read option pistol shit should be sprinkled in once in a while and that's about it.

[ModSocks]

I'm claiming that's all we do, everyone knows it

That's not true. Chiefs run out of the I-Form and run out of multiple TE sets quite frequently. I can recall at least two plays from yesterday that they ran out of the I-form.

I can recall them because every time i see it i think, "we'll that's predictable".

[carcosa]

I think Alex Smith should retire........ from LIFE!!! Just kidding, just from football, because he's bad at it. THanks.

[WhiteWhale]

I'm claiming that's all we do, everyone knows it, and it is easy to stop. Running out of the shotgun or pistol all the time does not work in the NFL. Our biggest problem is that we can't run the ball.

Line up with the QB under center, run the ball, boot legs, and play action passes and you will see immediate success. All this read option pistol shit should be sprinkled in once in a while and that's about it.

You can keep ignoring my posts, but you're being an idiot.

KC isn't having success running from power formations.

The play action pass only works when your QB PASSES the ball after a fake. All Alex does is get sacked or scramble. It's astounding that you think Andy Reid hasn't done moving pockets, roll outs, play action... geezus dude, do you watch the ****ing games?

[Black Bob]

I'm not ignoring you. I think you are wrong. When you line up in the I form twice a game, the other team expects a run. I suggest you rewatch the game.

The i form is currently sprinkled in. It should be our bread and butter. I expect we will see a lot more if it in the weeks to come. The offense is going to change this week. Count on it.

I also wonder if our play book was stolen and sold somehow? Every play it looks like the opposing teams know what we are calling. I just rewatched the game and something is off. This happened to Baltimore a few years back. Wonder if this is what Robinson can't talk about.

[Shields68]

That's not true. Chiefs run out of the I-Form and run out of multiple TE sets quite frequently. I can recall at least two plays from yesterday that they ran out of the I-form.

I can recall them because every time i see it i think, "we'll that's predictable".

Yeah there has been no running room regardless of the formation. The last 2 weeks it has been against teams which has struggled against the run and still no push from the line. It is either our line is terrible, Alex is making the wrong pre snap checks or we are telegraphing where the ball is going.

[KCrockaholic]

I also wonder if our play book was stolen and sold somehow? Every play it looks like the opposing teams know what we are calling. I just rewatched the game and something is off. This happened to Baltimore a few years back. Wonder if this is what Robinson can't talk about.

Dorsey's revenge LMAO

[ModSocks]

It is either our line is terrible, Alex is making the wrong pre snap checks or we are telegraphing where the ball is going.

I don't think it's any of that.

I think teams are simply stacking the box and keeping plays in front of them. There's no fear in the defense. There's no fear of the big play in the passing game and the defense is constantly looking towards the line of scrimmage. There's simply too many guys to block on most of these running plays because they're all streaming downhill.

Basically, defenses are playing downhill against the Chiefs...every snap.

Look at the GIFS that GoChiefs posts. Half of 'em the receivers are getting open downfield because the DB is caught staring at the LoS.

[ptlyon]

I don't think it's any of that.

I think teams are simply stacking the box and keeping plays in front of them. There's no fear in the defense. There's no fear of the big play in the passing game and the defense is constantly looking towards the line of scrimmage. There's simply too many guys to block on most of these running plays because they're all streaming downhill.

Basically, defenses are playing downhill against the Chiefs...every snap.

Look at the GIFS that GoChiefs posts. Half of 'em the receivers are getting open downfield because the DB is caught staring at the LoS.

Bamph

[ping2000]

Everyone sees this except one guy . . . Reid. Stubborn and stupid.

[ModSocks]

The i form is currently sprinkled in. It should be our bread and butter.

No it shouldn't. Becoming MORE predictable isn't the answer. Diversity in the running game is a good thing.

Every play it looks like the opposing teams know what we are calling.

Yet you're arguing to become more predictable...defenses don't know exactly what the Chiefs are calling. They are assuming that whatever the Chiefs call will likely occur within the first 5 yards of the LoS, regardless of downfield routes, whether that be a check down or an actual play design.

The play calling is not what's making the Chiefs predictable. Alex Smith is.

[Hammock Parties]

There was a play yesterday on the KC 11 yard line with 48 seconds left in the 1st Q. I-formation with Kelce on the line next to Fisher and Hill/Robinson on the outside each.

Bills had 8 men in the box all to stop Kareem.Alex saw this with 12 seconds on the playclock and didn't audible.

Result of the play? Kareem Hunt 5 yard loss.

https://i.imgur.com/z9pqEKh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/mpTmeJs.gif

[chiefzilla1501]

I'm not ignoring you. I think you are wrong. When you line up in the I form twice a game, the other team expects a run. I suggest you rewatch the game.

The i form is currently sprinkled in. It should be our bread and butter. I expect we will see a lot more if it in the weeks to come. The offense is going to change this week. Count on it.

I also wonder if our play book was stolen and sold somehow? Every play it looks like the opposing teams know what we are calling. I just rewatched the game and something is off. This happened to Baltimore a few years back. Wonder if this is what Robinson can't talk about.

Probably because regardless of the route concepts Alexs eyes always look to the short middle, then to the flats, then to the checkdown. It doesn't matter what play you call. He scans the same parts of the field every time.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to tell your defense to cover the Tight end, guard the short flats, and stay close to the line and cut out the underneath routes.

[RunKC]

Oh my fucking god it was worse than I thought.

TRAVIS KELCE AND TYREEK HILL ARE BOTH IN MAN FUCKING COVERAGE WITH 8 IN THE BOX.

How the fuck do you not see that?! Alex should be tarred, feathered and sent the glue factory. What the fuck?!?!

Not one person should question why Kelce is furious with Alex. Nobody.

This play alone should have gotten this sonofabitch sat on the bench. God fucking damnit Andy.

[RunKC]

Alex had 19 fucking seconds to see the defense and audible. NINETEEN GODDAMN SECONDS.

There is no way anyone can say at this point that Alex is smarter on the field than Pat. There's no going downhill from that.

That is literally rock bottom.

Fuck

[ThaVirus]

That is pretty bad. Even those LBs are cheating up on the line. They're damn near standing on their linemen's heels. They have absolutely no fear of a downfield passing threat.

And look at Fisher. He is so fucking bad.

[ThaVirus]

And look at Fisher. He is so ****ing bad.

And what the **** is Morse doing? How does he not look to the second level to seal off that ILB?

LDT did a ****ing fantastic job there, though, as did Schwartz.

[RunKC]

And here's the play before:

<a href="https://imgflip.com/gif/202vur"><img src="https://i.imgflip.com/202vur.gif" title="made at imgflip.com"/></a>

All 11 players on the goddamn defense are inching at the LOS. The dumb sonofabitch has 16 seconds on the playclock to audible and he doesn't .

Unbelievable that anyone would blame Andy for any of this shit.

[ThaVirus]

OMG that gif just keeps on giving. Watch Fisher get his ass kicked and hit the ground where Fulton and LDT both end up rolling over him. He legitimately could have gotten two of our guys hurt on one play by being such a worthless piece of shit.

On a positive note, look at Albert Wilson over there putting his hat on a guy. If Hunt could have gotten to the edge here Wilson's block may have sprung him.

[Black Bob]

We will see on Sunday. I expect more of the i-form and singleback. More of Alex under center. More crossing routes and bootlegs. I sincerely believe they scrap the current playbook and start over this week.

Those gifs aren't representative imo. Look at the situation. Who didn't know what was coming?

[gold_and_red]

OMG that gif just keeps on giving. Watch Fisher get his ass kicked and hit the ground where Fulton and LDT both end up rolling over him. He legitimately could have gotten two of our guys hurt on one play by being such a worthless piece of shit.

On a positive note, look at Albert Wilson over there putting his hat on a guy. If Hunt could have gotten to the edge here Wilson's block may have sprung him.

Exactly! Fisher getting run over by a LB! He is the epitome of the softness exuding from this team.

[ThaVirus]

We're not scrapping the playbook when we've got All-22 of guys streaking down the field uncovered and running plays an unblocked man or two away from long gains.

This team is just streaky. Same team that went 9-0 to start 2013 and 2-6 to finish the year. Same team that won 7 straight including two games over both Super Bowl participants in 2014. Same team that started 1-5 in 2015 to go on and win 11 straight immediately afterward.

[Buehler445]

FFS, Andy is calling the zone breaker plays.

The QB isn't making the throws.

This. Mitch and Kendall said on the radio several times, "Kelce on the sideline on a zonebreaker route, buuuuut....(insert Alexcuse here)"

They're there. Alex misses them. Looks like a fool.

[Easy 6]

Exactly! Fisher getting run over by a LB! He is the epitome of the softness exuding from this team.

I remember reading scouting reports that talked about him having a 'nasty streak'... what the hell were they seeing?

[gold_and_red]

I remember reading scouting reports that talked about him having a 'nasty streak'... what the hell were they seeing?

I think Reid read that as 'nasty steak' and immediately could relate to it. Sorry that is all I could come up.

[Black Bob]

I remember reading scouting reports that talked about him having a 'nasty streak'... what the hell were they seeing?

I like fisher. Especially when he rubbed JJ Watt's face in the ground in a playoff game. He's pretty nasty.

[Easy 6]

I think Reid read that as 'nasty steak' and immediately could relate to it. Sorry that is all I could come up.

LMAO

I like fisher. Especially when he rubbed JJ Watt's face in the ground in a playoff game. He's pretty nasty.

He is soft like baby ass

[AssEaterChief]

A quarterback must throw with velocity and anticipation when attacking zone coverage downfield. That has never been Smith’s game.

It is amazing that he has survived as long as he has in this league because of this fact.

If that's not a part of your "game" as an NFL QB, WTF are you even doing out there to begin with, seriously.

[oldman]

I see nothing wrong with lining up Hill and Kelce on the same side, with Wilson or DRob and DAT on the other side. DAT still has some speed, give them 2 deep threats to worry about. The interior 5 is just going to have to man up.

[BigRedChief]

That is pretty bad. Even those LBs are cheating up on the line. They're damn near standing on their linemen's heels. They have absolutely no fear of a downfield passing threat.

And look at Fisher. He is so fucking bad.we got bigger issues than Fisher.

[MahiMike]

I can't figure out why so many people make it sound so complicated. Throw it deep to open up everything else.

[Tribal Warfare]

I can't figure out why so many people make it sound so complicated. Throw it deep to open up everything else.

Operating under Center opposed to the pistol, shotgun, and wildcat should help exponentially If we had a legitimate QB who the defense fears.

[saphojunkie]

Article: don't fix offense by playing Mahomes.

Article later: fox offense by making downfield plays!!

Reader: do u even Chiefs, bro?

[RobBlake]

Watch Brady then watch alex

[Chiefshrink]

This article is stating the obvious that all of us have been talking about for weeks. Set back in zone, focus on KH and force Alice to beat you throwing downfield in tight windows with a decent pass rush of which Alice will get barely past the first read.:rolleyes:

[Danguardace]

I've said ever since Reid got here opposing DCs and defenders must love playing the Chiefs. There is no tempo in the offense Alex always uses the full play clock meaning the defense has time to get adjusted and read what is likely to happen.

Also personnel and formation often dictate what the play is.

I formation - Its a run up the gut
2 TE - Outside zone
Trips or Empty - it's a screen

Reid had a few new wrinkles to start the year but sadly we cant seem to rely on basic effective football.

[ptlyon]

I've said ever since Reid got here opposing DCs and defenders must love playing the Chiefs. There is no tempo in the offense Alex always uses the full play clock meaning the defense has time to get adjusted and read what is likely to happen.

Also personnel and formation often dictate what the play is.

I formation - Its a run up the gut
2 TE - Outside zone
Trips or Empty - it's a screen

Reid had a few new wrinkles to start the year but sadly we cant seem to rely on basic effective football.

PLAY GOOD FOOTBALL

[Molitoth]

I found the REAL reason the Chiefs are losing via Facebook comments!

"Maybe they are too engrossed in kneeling during the national anthem to concentrate on the game."


Yep, this is real life.

[T-post Tom]

Can someone email this SI article to Andy Reid? That would be nice. Thank you.