Chiefs Chiefs still eyeing postseason at 3-5 - Page 13

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/

Discuss Thrower · 11-06-2015, 11:27 AM

Three wins over teams that have .500 or worse records and zero wins against teams with above .500 records.

That's a championship caliber resume if I ever heard one.

Mile High Mania · 11-06-2015, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

The Jets game against Dallas will likely be a loss for them. Romo will be back.

Tough to tell, will depend on their record and mindset at that point. That team is void of real leadership, and it isn't coming from the coach. Plus, Dallas has a sucky home record since moving to the new stadium.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

But I'm more concerned about the Bills than I am the Jets.

Steelers, Raiders and Bills. I'm rooting against those guys every week from here on out.

Both are problems for sure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by New World Order

Ultimately, I think we control our own destiny. We have a very favorable schedule compared to the Raiders or Steelers and we still have to play the Raiders twice. We also own the tiebreaker with Pitt.

The only winning team we play other than the Raiders which we are in competition for a playoff spot is the Broncos.

If KC can 'win out' or go 7-1, yeah you possibly own it with a 10 win record, but even that might not assure a WC. Either way, KC needs help and specifically as it relates to IND owning their destiny and making the Texans a non-factor, they're tied with you and they're scrappy.

Mile High Mania · 11-06-2015, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pasta Giant Meatball

Vincent Kennedy Goodell has created a product so shitty that he can manipulate the results any way he wants and the nation still eats it up at the slop trough.

Dumb.

rabblerouser · 11-06-2015, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New World Order

If Todd Haley is the coach of this team we are 5-3.

That's the bottomline right there.

This is true.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pasta Giant Meatball

Vincent Kennedy Goodell has created a product so shitty that he can manipulate the results any way he wants and the nation still eats it up at the slop trough.

This is also true.

chiefzilla1501 · 11-06-2015, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Dumb.

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.

Discuss Thrower · 11-06-2015, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New World Order

If Todd Haley is the coach of this team we are 5-3.

That's the bottomline right there.

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.

O.city · 11-06-2015, 11:47 AM

Andy Reid as a head coach isnt much of an upgrade over Todd haley.

Holy shit man.

Discuss Thrower · 11-06-2015, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

Andy Reid as a head coach isnt much of an upgrade over Todd haley.

Holy shit man.

Reid hasn't done anything outstanding without Donovan McNabb and Jim Johnson. Since 2008 he's eight games above .500 -so that's awesome sauce for you, apparently- and he's 0-3 in playoff games.

Haley has a 19-26 record and 0-1 in the playoffs.

They're both two shades of mediocre with Reid trending on the "better" side of that and Haley on the shit side of it. Haley also never had the talent on a roster that Reid has had.

Aspire for ****ing better out of a team than yet another retread coach and QB. Jesus Christ.

O.city · 11-06-2015, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

Reid hasn't done anything outstanding without Donovan McNabb and Jim Johnson. Since 2008 he's eight games above .500 -so that's awesome sauce for you, apparently- and he's 0-3 in playoff games.

Haley has a 19-26 record and 0-1 in the playoffs.

They're both two shades of mediocre with Reid trending on the "better" side of that and Haley on the shit side of it. Haley also never had the talent on a roster that Reid has had.

Aspire for ****ing better out of a team than yet another retread coach and QB. Jesus Christ.

And bellicheck hasn't done anything without brady, Mccarthy without HOF qbs and on and on.

Once again, you're just blathering stupid accross the board.

Discuss Thrower · 11-06-2015, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

And bellicheck hasn't done anything without brady, Mccarthy without HOF qbs and on and on.

Once again, you're just blathering stupid accross the board.

So you're pretty much saying that all that matters is what QB you have then?

Heh.

**New World Order** · 11-06-2015, 12:06 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.

Haley wouldn't trust Alex Smith to throw the ball in the Denver game. He would of handed the ball off to Jamaal over and over and it probably would have been a 3-point win.

He would of also had more than 17 pts offensively vs the Bears.

**New World Order** · 11-06-2015, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Tough to tell, will depend on their record and mindset at that point. That team is void of real leadership, and it isn't coming from the coach. Plus, Dallas has a sucky home record since moving to the new stadium.

Both are problems for sure.

If KC can 'win out' or go 7-1, yeah you possibly own it with a 10 win record, but even that might not assure a WC. Either way, KC needs help and specifically as it relates to IND owning their destiny and making the Texans a non-factor, they're tied with you and they're scrappy.

The two wild card teams are only 4-3. And they aren't even good.

9-7 will get the Chiefs in. Do I think they will go 9-7? No. Denver is probaby a loss, once to oakland and once to SD. 8-8 seems more reasonable. I think that Bears game is the reason we don't go to the playoffs.

**DaneMcCloud** · 11-06-2015, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Dumb.

It's not dumb at all.

The NFL front office can now decide the outcome of games due to instant replay. They and they alone can determine the winner and loser of football games because they can define what is a catch and what's not a catch.

It's so confusing that the players, coaches and refs can't make a determination half of the time, leaving the NFL to decide which often times means winning or losing.

O.city · 11-06-2015, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

So you're pretty much saying that all that matters is what QB you have then?

Heh.

I'm saying I'm shocked that guys aren't winning championships without structure, competent people around them etc.

But, sure, the qb thing, carry on.

BlackOp · 11-06-2015, 12:26 PM

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.

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, 11:27 AM	#181
Discuss Thrower "You like to drink?" Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: "I like to drink." Casino cash: $-180000	Three wins over teams that have .500 or worse records and zero wins against teams with above .500 records. That's a championship caliber resume if I ever heard one. __________________ 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: 45,213

11-06-2015, 11:47 AM	#187
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $-555936	Andy Reid as a head coach isnt much of an upgrade over Todd haley. Holy shit man.
Posts: 84,158

11-06-2015, 12:26 PM	#195
BlackOp MVP Join Date: Oct 2012 Casino cash: $2785267	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. Last edited by BlackOp; 11-06-2015 at 12:40 PM..
Posts: 19,109