|
![]() |
|
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
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#31 |
In Search of a Life
Join Date: Aug 2008
Casino cash: $-1595503
|
Given how much the chiefs have pumped up the message about the chiefs being still in it? Loudest voice being Clark hunt? Yeah, I'm pretty sure we weren't as aggressive at the trade deadline as we should have been.
|
Posts: 51,569
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#32 |
New and Improved
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Springfield, Mo.
Casino cash: $-2221410
|
I can see the new advertising campaign right now.
COME TO KANSAS CITY HOME OF THE WORLD CHAMPIONS AND SEE THE CHIEFS PLAY
__________________
“As a nation, we can endure damaging policies for a four-year term. But we cannot survive a president willing to terminate our Constitution”
|
Posts: 22,327
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#33 |
Prestige Worldwide
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Spring Hill, KS
Casino cash: $-39474
|
"Come to Arrowhead. The neighbors of the World Champion Kansas City Royals!"
__________________
Adopt-A-Chief: John Dorsey
|
Posts: 18,619
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#34 |
Most Valuable Villain
Join Date: Dec 2006
Casino cash: $2065047
|
![]() This team is not beating the Broncos or the Raiders. San Diego is bad this year.....but that offense will be tough to stop....especially if Alex goes back to his usual "can't convert 3rd downs" bullshit. If the Browns have McCown....we might lose that one. The only team that we SHOULD destroy is Baltimore. |
Posts: 92,316
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#35 |
Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Villa Straylight
Casino cash: $9975610
|
Headline should read, "Chiefs not yet mathematically eliminated from playoff contention"
|
Posts: 2,367
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#36 |
Most Valuable Villain
Join Date: Dec 2006
Casino cash: $2065047
|
I'll give this team the benefit of the doubt and say that we'll split with the Raiders and beat the Chargers twice.
@Broncos - L @Chargers - W vs. Bills - W @ Raiders - L vs. Chargers - W @ Ravens - W vs. Browns - W vs. Raiders - W Our best case scenario is 9-7 and we either miss the playoffs or get blown out in the 1st round. Sounds like an awesome time! More realistic scenario? @Broncos - L @Chargers - L vs. Bills - L @ Raiders - L vs. Chargers - W @ Ravens - W vs. Browns - W vs. Raiders - L 6-10. Book it. |
Posts: 92,316
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#37 |
left blank intentionally
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Belize Nuts
Casino cash: $3074897
|
Anything is worth more than nothing...to an organization that actually cares about winning.
Chase, Hali, and DeVito would certainly be appealing to a team with a legitimate playoff spot...and 2 of them probably won't be back after this season.
__________________
MY ADOPT-A-CHIEF : Jody Fortson Jr. |
Posts: 32,538
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#38 | |
left blank intentionally
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Belize Nuts
Casino cash: $3074897
|
Quote:
Just because I was behind the Cleveland sideline for the Josh Cribbs Experience, when KC blew it last minute against a terrible Cleveland team, at Arrowhead, at the end of the season... They just refused to tackle that guy. It was odd.
__________________
MY ADOPT-A-CHIEF : Jody Fortson Jr. |
|
Posts: 32,538
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#39 |
"You like to drink?"
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: "I like to drink."
Casino cash: $-210000
|
Sean Smith had to have been worth at worst a 5th rounder.
__________________
Chiefs 2016 Opponents: Home: JAX, TEN, NO, TB, NYJ. Away: HOU, IND, ATL, CAR, PIT Chiefs 2017 Opponents: Home: BUF, MIA, PHI, WSH, AFC North. Away: NE, NYJ, NYG, DAL, AFC South |
Posts: 45,215
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#40 |
In Search of a Life
Join Date: Aug 2008
Casino cash: $-1595503
|
Also, dj. And if the chiefs have no intent to resign Sean Smith, there is no point in holding onto him just so we can win two or three meaningless games.
|
Posts: 51,569
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#41 |
Most Valuable Villain
Join Date: Dec 2006
Casino cash: $2065047
|
|
Posts: 92,316
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#42 | |
left blank intentionally
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Belize Nuts
Casino cash: $3074897
|
Quote:
Don't know who we should've got...but I know who I would've shoppped.
__________________
MY ADOPT-A-CHIEF : Jody Fortson Jr. |
|
Posts: 32,538
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#43 | |
5 o’clock free crack giveaway
Join Date: Sep 2007
Casino cash: $-1657631
|
Quote:
It's a shame, too. Assuming absolute best case, realistic-ish scenario for us, we squeak in the playoffs as the 6th seed at 9-7. At that point, there's about a 99.9% chance we'd be playing either @ Cinci, @ Denver or @ New England. Seriously. Either of those games would be a complete slaughterhouse, assuming Peyton doesn't experience his usual late-season slide and Dalton resembles an actual NFL QB come January. But the 5th seed? They'll be playing either @Indianapolis, @Houston or @ Jacksonville most likely. Now there's a winnable game. Whoever gets the 5th seed this year will be some lucky mother****ers. |
|
Posts: 46,962
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#44 | |
Most Valuable Villain
Join Date: Dec 2006
Casino cash: $2065047
|
Quote:
|
|
Posts: 92,316
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#45 |
5 o’clock free crack giveaway
Join Date: Sep 2007
Casino cash: $-1657631
|
I think it'll be the Steelers, Bills or Raiders. The Steelers have the best team of the three but the toughest schedule. The Raiders appear to be pretty good and their schedule isn't too tough. The Bills will be getting Tyrod Taylor back soon. The Jets will be missing Fitzpatrick for a few weeks, IIRC, so I'm expecting an appreciable slide coming up here soon. I don't even think they make the playoffs. |
Posts: 46,962
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
|
|