Chiefs Chiefs still eyeing postseason at 3-5 - Page 2

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/

**Rausch** · 11-05-2015, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMeatballDave

There is no way they should not sweep SD. They can't even field a team. How many are on IR? Their best player is done for the season.

KC needs to pressure Rivers all day long. Never give him time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMeatballDave

Also, the Ravens are done. Chiefs can easily win that. Beating Oakland once and Cleveland puts them at 8-8.

This is realistically a best case scenario. They're going to have to pull 2 more wins out of their asses. Buffalo and... ?

We will most likely lose at Den and at Oakland. Oakland actually believes in themselves for the first time since Red-assed-Rich retired. And they aren't afraid to go for the big play. Those games won't be easy.

Baltimore might be finished as far as heart but they all want a bigger paycheck. Their biggest weakness (passing game/deep ball) is one we can't and won't exploit. And it is our nature to play down to the opponent more often than not...

TEX · 11-05-2015, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabblerouser

And then I think to myself, "I'm glad I didn't get any season tickets"
And then I think to myself, "I've seen this shitshow before"
And then I think to myself, "This is basically last year in reverse"
And then I think to myself, "This is just like 2011, EXCEPT NO ONE IS GETTING FIRED!!"

Letting the days go by
Let the water hold me down
Letting the days go by
Water flowing underground
Into the blue again
After the money's gone
Once in a lifetime
Water flowing underground

Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...
Look where my hand was
Time isn't holding us
Time isn't after us
Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...
Yeah, the twister comes
Here comes the twister
Same as it ever was...

Just like to add:
And then I think to myself, "That's why I did NOT renew NFL Sunday Ticket"

rabblerouser · 11-05-2015, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMeatballDave

There is no way they should not sweep SD. They can't even field a team. How many are on IR? Their best player is done for the season.

Same thing with the Chicago team that came into Arrowhead and beat us.

It's the Elway factor - no matter how terrible the team, no lead is safe if it's less than 21 pts.

14 pt lead, all the offense needs is 2 possessions to tie.

Rivers can sling the ball. Yes, he has no team around him.

However, Rivers is better at rallying his team than Cutler is.

Remember 2008, the game that got Carl fired?? I do. A hungover Phyllis Rivers decides to wake up with 97 seconds left, threw a few TDs and win the game.

Just letting you know.

1 win against SD at Arrowhead, and you can pick a win from between Cleveland and Baltimore. That's 2 more wins.

5-11

rabblerouser · 11-05-2015, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEX

Just like to add:
And then I think to myself, "That's why I did NOT renew NFL Sunday Ticket"

Yep - none of that shit at my house this year neither. Or last.

Between Haley getting canned in 2011, the shitshow of 2012, and the playoff collapse in Indy, I'm not giving these ones who suck the penises another dime until ReidSmith is gone.

So, we're looking at 2017 over here, for real...

**Rausch** · 11-05-2015, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEX

Just like to add:
And then I think to myself, "That's why I did NOT renew NFL Sunday Ticket"

Us being a total $#it-show is exactly why I renewed my sunday ticket.

This way I can concentrate on my FD after my team pushes me to the brink of not-give-a-$#it-at-all-ville...

TEX · 11-05-2015, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabblerouser

Yep - none of that shit at my house this year neither. Or last.

Between Haley getting canned in 2011, the shitshow of 2012, and the playoff collapse in Indy, I'm not giving these ones who suck the penises another dime until ReidSmith is gone.

So, we're looking at 2017 over here, for real...

For me, this was the first time in 12 seasons that I did not renew NFL Sunday Ticket. Also the first that I don't watch MNF on a regular basis or Thursday night games when I can, because IMO the NFL is not a good enough product anymore to keep me watching when my team sucks. THAT NEVER used to happen. So sick of the SAME stories & teams, rule changes, STUPID London games, etc. Hell, I don't even know what constitutes a catch anymore - like half of the refs... BUT, I DO know that when question about said catch occurs, my team won't get the same call that a team with a HOF / Franchise QB WILL get. Bank on that. (This usually works the same way for fumbles too)

Spott · 11-05-2015, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEX

For me, this was the first time in 12 seasons that I did not renew NFL Sunday Ticket. Also the first that I don't watch MNF on a regular basis or Thursday night games when I can, because IMO the NFL is not a good enough product anymore to keep me watching when my team sucks. THAT NEVER used to happen. So sick of the SAME stories & teams, rule changes, STUPID London games, etc. Hell, I don't even know what constitutes a catch anymore - like half of the refs... BUT, I DO know that when question about said catch occurs, my team won't get the same call that a team with a HOF / Franchise QB WILL get. Bank on that. (This works the same way for fumbles too)

I only renewed it because I get it for free. I've hardly watched it this year compared to past years. Every year it's the same old stories and at the end, it's always watching teams not named the Chiefs playing for a chance in the Super Bowl.

**Bowser** · 11-05-2015, 09:43 AM

And the best news? Great seats are STILL available for you to witness the forthcoming historic turnaround the Kansas City Chiefs are about to pull off! I'm as shocked as you are at this news!

rabblerouser · 11-05-2015, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEX

For me, this was the first time in 12 seasons that I did not renew NFL Sunday Ticket. Also the first that I don't watch MNF on a regular basis or Thursday night games when I can, because IMO the NFL is not a good enough product anymore to keep me watching when my team sucks. THAT NEVER used to happen. So sick of the SAME stories & teams, rule changes, STUPID London games, etc. Hell, I don't even know what constitutes a catch anymore - like half of the refs... BUT, I DO know that when question about said catch occurs, my team won't get the same call that a team with a HOF / Franchise QB WILL get. Bank on that. (This works the same way for fumbles too)

Yeah I'm actually about to take the Dtv package down a step.

Getting rid of ESPN and FoxSports. The basic 'family' package has NFL Network and they replay the MNF if I really care to watch...

And I laughed this morning when they asked Jeff Fisher "do you actually know what constitutes a catch"??

He goes "yeah I'm on the competition committiee, so I know exactly what constitutes a catch..."

You could tell he stifled himself from adding "I don't think the refs do, though."

TEX · 11-05-2015, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabblerouser

Yeah I'm actually about to take the Dtv package down a step.

Getting rid of ESPN and FoxSports. The basic 'family' package has NFL Network and they replay the MNF if I really care to watch...

And I laughed this morning when they asked Jeff Fisher "do you actually know what constitutes a catch"??

He goes "yeah I'm on the competition comittiee, so I know exactly what constitutes a catch..."

You could tell he stifled himself from adding "I don't think the refs do, though."

Bingo!

rabblerouser · 11-05-2015, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

And the best news? Great seats are STILL available for you to witness the forthcoming historic turnaround the Kansas City Chiefs are about to pull off! I'm as shocked as you are at this news!

Hey!!

NO KC Chiefs team has ever made the playoffs after starting 3-5...

Witness. History.

Buy your tickets now!!!

Eleazar · 11-05-2015, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Lane

Just what I needed to take the great taste of the Royals out of my mouth and curdle it.

Well nobody seemed to like my idea of abandoning the Chiefs and making this RoyalsPlanet permanently, so it's still a football board!

chiefzilla1501 · 11-05-2015, 10:10 AM

Just a reminder that the chiefs did not make a single trade at the trade deadline for players we probably aren't going to keep. Like chase Daniel.

O.city · 11-05-2015, 10:10 AM

11-5 5th seed.

Book it

O.city · 11-05-2015, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

Just a reminder that the chiefs did not make a single trade at the trade deadline for players we probably aren't going to keep. Like chase Daniel.

Maybe because no one offered anything worth a shit?

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

11-05-2015, 09:43 AM	#23
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $-28384	And the best news? Great seats are STILL available for you to witness the forthcoming historic turnaround the Kansas City Chiefs are about to pull off! I'm as shocked as you are at this news!
Posts: 106,613

11-05-2015, 10:10 AM	#28
chiefzilla1501 In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $-1555503	Just a reminder that the chiefs did not make a single trade at the trade deadline for players we probably aren't going to keep. Like chase Daniel.
Posts: 51,560

11-05-2015, 10:10 AM	#29
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $-545936	11-5 5th seed. Book it
Posts: 84,158