Chiefs Chiefs still eyeing postseason at 3-5 - Page 14

Eleazar · 11-05-2015, 08:08 AM

Chiefs still eyeing postseason at 3-5

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Cue the old tape of former Indianapolis Colts head coach Jim Mora Sr. talking after a poor performance by his team, and asked about the potential for postseason play.

"Playoffs? Don't talk to me about playoffs," Mora bellowed. "You kidding me. Playoffs?"

In most seasons, those words could have been used to describe the situation surrounding the Kansas City Chiefs (3-5). Only a few weeks ago after losing five consecutive games, the Chiefs stood 1-5 and thinking about the postseason was folly.

But below undefeated New England, Denver and Cincinnati, the AFC is a pool of mediocrity and after stringing together two victories heading into their bye week, the Chiefs are only one game out of the conference's second wildcard spot.

Andy Reid is not the type of NFL head coach who will screech like Mora when talking to the media about his team's future. The theme is always the same: more hard work is needed.

"There's things we can get better at," Reid said. "We're not nearly as good as we possibly can be, so we've got to keep working. That's the challenge for all of us, players and coaches.

"We can all improve and get better, there's plenty to see on tape for that to learn from."

The Chiefs' two-game winning streak came against a Pittsburgh team without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and a Detroit club that will compete over the second-half of the 2015 season for the first selection of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Still, all that is meaningless when a team is trying to end a long losing streak and return to a projected role as a contender.

Whether Kansas City has returned to that point will be seen over the next five games, with four of those in the AFC West and three on the road.

Ahead are trips to Denver and San Diego, then a weekend at home against Buffalo, before a trip to Oakland. By the time November turns to December, everyone will have a much better handle on exactly what the Chiefs can make of this season.

According to STATS, 280 teams started 3-5 in NFL history; 15 rallied to make the playoffs.

The Chiefs franchise has started the season 3-5 six times before this season, and did not make the playoffs in any of those years (1961, 1974, 1976, 1985, 1989 and 2004.) Only the '89 team finished the year with a winning record at 8-7-1.

Translation: no matter the quality of the conference, they have a long road ahead of them if they want to play into January.

"I feel like the confidence has always been there," tight end Travis Kelce said of the locker room vibe. "It's just going out there and doing it. Obviously, we have had some mixed pieces in the offensive line, and at wide out.

"In the beginning we had some guys banged up. But no excuses to that. The teams we played definitely came to play and kudos to them. But at the same time, we have a confidence in that locker room."

Kelce mentioned "mixed pieces" along the Chiefs offensive line and without a doubt that's where they have struggled to perform. In eight games, they've had five different starting groups, with only rookie center Mitch Morse playing in his spot for all games.

The Chiefs have one of the bottom four pass protection units in the league, allowing 29 sacks in 299 passing plays. Quarterback Alex Smith has been bruised and battered, starting the season with three interceptions in the first three games.

Smith now has gone five games without throwing it to the other team, and overall in the last five games the Chiefs have only two giveaways.

Defensively, Kansas City has picked up the pace in forcing turnovers. In the first four games, the Chiefs had only three takeaways, but have generated eight in the four most recent games.

The Chiefs are plus-three in the turnover ratio, and there are only seven teams with higher plus ratio.

As with most NFL teams, the Chiefs have dealt with their share of injuries, losing their No. 1 offensive weapon when running back Jamaal Charles tore the ACL in his right knee.

Kansas City also lost Phillip Gaines to a torn ACL; he was one of the club's top three cornerbacks. Offensive line injuries have slowed that group's development.

Still, here they are, sitting 3-5 and they can realistically say they are still in the race for a spot in the postseason.

"I think they've just stuck together," Reid said. "You've seen young guys get better. ... We've probably got more young guys playing for us than anybody in the league and they've continually gotten better.

"They've had the veteran support there, in a positive way for them. And then some of the guys that were banged up or sick they've continued to get better every week. That's important."

Reid never outwardly reached for the panic button when the club couldn't win a game. There were no coaching staff changes, and with the exception of the offensive line, there was little in the way of changes to the starting lineup. He feels everybody stepped up their performance, especially the guys in the locker room.

"The players have upped it," Reid said. "Not that you're not going to get beat every once in a while; that happens in his league. We're playing against good players. Best in the world, right? So, they keep battling. They're not letting things get them down at all."

http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/NFL/2...3581446674565/

**BigMeatballDave** · 11-06-2015, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackOp

Looking at the remaining schedule for the "best of the worst" teams in the crappy AFC....I'd say KC has the best chance to make a run. Raiders have a tough schedule coming up...they could drop 5 or 6 games. Steelers have a tough go too..

Jets/Bills/Dolphins are going to knock each other out...that and the Pats.

8-8 will get a play-off spot.

Luckily for KC... 3 of their losses are against the NFC. That's a pretty big deal and own the head to head against Pittsburgh.

Chiefs should move to the NFC where 7-9 gets you to the dance.

BlackOp · 11-06-2015, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMeatballDave

Chiefs should move to the NFC where 7-9 gets you to the dance.

The entire AFC is worse than that division a few years back...I dont see any of the potential WC teams getting "hot"....maybe the Steelers. KC just put up 45 points...that's a good sign albeit against a bad team.

**The Franchise** · 11-06-2015, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackOp

Looking at the remaining schedule for the "best of the worst" teams in the crappy AFC....I'd say KC has the best chance to make a run. Raiders have a tough schedule coming up...they could drop 5 or 6 games. Steelers have a tough go too..

Jets/Bills/Dolphins are going to knock each other out...that and the Pats.

8-8 will get a play-off spot...maybe even 7-9.

Luckily for KC... 3 of their losses are against the NFC. That's a pretty big deal and own the head to head against Pittsburgh.

8-8 is not getting a playoff spot.

Pasta Little Brioni · 11-06-2015, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Dumb.

Exhibit A: Mule Tool number 3

BlackOp · 11-06-2015, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

8-8 is not getting a playoff spot.

Really? Which two teams are going 5-3? That would give them 9-7

Raiders have this on their plate...Steelers, Vikings, @ Broncos, Packers, @ Chiefs

Jets have Bills, Dolphins, @ Giants, @ Cowboys, Patriots and @ Bills.

Everyone else would have to go 6-2 except the Steelers....KC is also gaining game on either the Raiders/Steelers this week-end by default.

Pasta Little Brioni · 11-06-2015, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

It's not dumb. The massive amount of rule changes favoring the QB have created major competitive imbalance and were rules designed to appease shitty fans and gamblers.

Case in point: the pass interference that led to Denver's tying TD at Arrowhead. I could give a thousand examples. The game is becoming a pile of shit.

rabblerouser · 11-06-2015, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

4-4 at best. He's not that much of an upgrade over Reid. They're the same guy with two exceptions:

1) Reid only went as far as Jim Johnson's defense could carry him whereas Haley went only as far as Charlie Weis could carry him on his Hoverround

and

2) Reid is a player's coach and hardly ever displays any emotion during games whereas Haley was a dictator and would yell at anyone and everyone.

Beyond that they are about average level coaches, though Haley would probably dispel that notion if he ever gets another HC gig... Because unless he lucks into a franchise QB he'll fail at that job too.

1. Haley took Tyler Palko into Soldier Field and beat the Bears without Jamaal Charles. Reid couldn't beat half a Bears team at Arrowhead with Charles and Smiff.

And.

2. Haley was 5-8 with the division still in sight when he was fired.

I wish Fat Andy would get fired when THIS team gets to 5-8...IF this team gets to 5-8.

3. Amazing how the team went to shit as soon as Haley left, yet had Charles and Cassel BACK.

4. Haley got the most out of all those underachieving draft picks (like DJ and Bowe). Except DJ still remembers how to play. When Haley left, Bowe turned back into a pumpkin.

Those are all facts. Take them any way you want them.

Haley would have this team 6-2.

Mile High Mania · 11-06-2015, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pasta Giant Meatball

Case in point: the pass interference that led to Denver's tying TD at Arrowhead. I could give a thousand examples. The game is becoming a pile of shit.

So, Denver gets all good calls in their favor... gotcha.

Pasta Little Brioni · 11-06-2015, 01:09 PM

You really think Alex or Osweiler get those two calls at the end lulz

rabblerouser · 11-06-2015, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pasta Giant Meatball

You really think Alex or Osweiler get those two calls at the end lulz

Well...Alex is old enough, at least.

No, seriously - it's how games are manipulated.

Rules are interpreted, not enforced.

Pasta Little Brioni · 11-06-2015, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabblerouser

Well...Alex is old enough, at least.

No, seriously - it's how games are manipulated.

Rules are interpreted, not enforced.

Holding, illegal contact, fumbles, and now receptions. There are no rules just who has a golden boy. Storylines are built up and then magically happen. It's like watching Monday night RAW.

**ptlyon** · 11-06-2015, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pasta Giant Meatball

Holding, illegal contact, fumbles, and now receptions.

Don't forget ****ing down by contact

rabblerouser · 11-06-2015, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pasta Giant Meatball

Holding, illegal contact, fumbles, and now receptions. There are no rules just who has a golden boy. Storylines are built up and then magically happen. It's like watching Monday night RAW.

Actually, this past Monday we did an experiment :

We flipped back and forth between the MNF and MNR.

until the 4th qtr, MNR was infinitely more interesting.

I'm not the only one who got into it.

Pasta Little Brioni · 11-06-2015, 01:34 PM

But dat magical 4th quarter golden boy comeback!

BlackOp · 11-06-2015, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabblerouser

Well...Alex is old enough, at least.

No, seriously - it's how games are manipulated.

Rules are interpreted, not enforced.

That's were they get you...you cant challenge a PI call...or a holding call. There is no good reason why you cant...except it's how the NFL dictates probable outcomes.

When a penalty can cost your team 40+ yards...you should be able to challenge it. Period.

11-05-2015, 08:08 AM
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	Chiefs still eyeing postseason at 3-5 Chiefs still eyeing postseason at 3-5 KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Cue the old tape of former Indianapolis Colts head coach Jim Mora Sr. talking after a poor performance by his team, and asked about the potential for postseason play. "Playoffs? Don't talk to me about playoffs," Mora bellowed. "You kidding me. Playoffs?" In most seasons, those words could have been used to describe the situation surrounding the Kansas City Chiefs (3-5). Only a few weeks ago after losing five consecutive games, the Chiefs stood 1-5 and thinking about the postseason was folly. But below undefeated New England, Denver and Cincinnati, the AFC is a pool of mediocrity and after stringing together two victories heading into their bye week, the Chiefs are only one game out of the conference's second wildcard spot. Andy Reid is not the type of NFL head coach who will screech like Mora when talking to the media about his team's future. The theme is always the same: more hard work is needed. "There's things we can get better at," Reid said. "We're not nearly as good as we possibly can be, so we've got to keep working. That's the challenge for all of us, players and coaches. "We can all improve and get better, there's plenty to see on tape for that to learn from." The Chiefs' two-game winning streak came against a Pittsburgh team without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and a Detroit club that will compete over the second-half of the 2015 season for the first selection of the 2016 NFL Draft. Still, all that is meaningless when a team is trying to end a long losing streak and return to a projected role as a contender. Whether Kansas City has returned to that point will be seen over the next five games, with four of those in the AFC West and three on the road. Ahead are trips to Denver and San Diego, then a weekend at home against Buffalo, before a trip to Oakland. By the time November turns to December, everyone will have a much better handle on exactly what the Chiefs can make of this season. According to STATS, 280 teams started 3-5 in NFL history; 15 rallied to make the playoffs. The Chiefs franchise has started the season 3-5 six times before this season, and did not make the playoffs in any of those years (1961, 1974, 1976, 1985, 1989 and 2004.) Only the '89 team finished the year with a winning record at 8-7-1. Translation: no matter the quality of the conference, they have a long road ahead of them if they want to play into January. "I feel like the confidence has always been there," tight end Travis Kelce said of the locker room vibe. "It's just going out there and doing it. Obviously, we have had some mixed pieces in the offensive line, and at wide out. "In the beginning we had some guys banged up. But no excuses to that. The teams we played definitely came to play and kudos to them. But at the same time, we have a confidence in that locker room." Kelce mentioned "mixed pieces" along the Chiefs offensive line and without a doubt that's where they have struggled to perform. In eight games, they've had five different starting groups, with only rookie center Mitch Morse playing in his spot for all games. The Chiefs have one of the bottom four pass protection units in the league, allowing 29 sacks in 299 passing plays. Quarterback Alex Smith has been bruised and battered, starting the season with three interceptions in the first three games. Smith now has gone five games without throwing it to the other team, and overall in the last five games the Chiefs have only two giveaways. Defensively, Kansas City has picked up the pace in forcing turnovers. In the first four games, the Chiefs had only three takeaways, but have generated eight in the four most recent games. The Chiefs are plus-three in the turnover ratio, and there are only seven teams with higher plus ratio. As with most NFL teams, the Chiefs have dealt with their share of injuries, losing their No. 1 offensive weapon when running back Jamaal Charles tore the ACL in his right knee. Kansas City also lost Phillip Gaines to a torn ACL; he was one of the club's top three cornerbacks. Offensive line injuries have slowed that group's development. Still, here they are, sitting 3-5 and they can realistically say they are still in the race for a spot in the postseason. "I think they've just stuck together," Reid said. "You've seen young guys get better. ... We've probably got more young guys playing for us than anybody in the league and they've continually gotten better. "They've had the veteran support there, in a positive way for them. And then some of the guys that were banged up or sick they've continued to get better every week. That's important." Reid never outwardly reached for the panic button when the club couldn't win a game. There were no coaching staff changes, and with the exception of the offensive line, there was little in the way of changes to the starting lineup. He feels everybody stepped up their performance, especially the guys in the locker room. "The players have upped it," Reid said. "Not that you're not going to get beat every once in a while; that happens in his league. We're playing against good players. Best in the world, right? So, they keep battling. They're not letting things get them down at all." http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/NFL/2...3581446674565/
Posts: 80,659

11-06-2015, 01:09 PM	#204
Pasta Little Brioni Consuming CP souls Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: U.S.A. Casino cash: $378880	You really think Alex or Osweiler get those two calls at the end lulz __________________ **Official TFWdemB Trivia Commisioner**
Posts: 72,922

11-06-2015, 01:34 PM	#209
Pasta Little Brioni Consuming CP souls Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: U.S.A. Casino cash: $378880	But dat magical 4th quarter golden boy comeback! __________________ **Official TFWdemB Trivia Commisioner**
Posts: 72,922