MELLINGER: Dear Chiefs fans: C'mon, it's not that bad ...

[pugsnotdrugs19]

LINK: https://www.kansascity.com/sports/sp...223324950.html

ARTICLE:

Spoiler!

BY SAM MELLINGER
December 19th, 2018

This will be hard for some of you to understand. That’s not said negatively. Just factually. Because some of you came to follow the Chiefs because of Patrick Mahomes. Which is fine. Kansas City is not accustomed to rooting for trendy teams. These are strange times we live in.

But here’s a quick primer for those who started rooting for the Chiefs once they began playing a wizard at quarterback: Your new team is a habitual heartbreaker. The darkness in the stories you hear from your new brothers and sisters is real. They are not whining. They are speaking their truth.

And, you know, while we’re on the topic, here’s something for those of you who fell in love with this team long ago — you’ve never cheered for a team like this.

More specifically, you’ve never cheered for a quarterback like this.

You know that, of course. That’s been obvious since Week 17 of last year, if not earlier. But if last week’s loss shook your confidence, it’s worth pointing something out.

If this same Chiefs team — flaws and strengths, studs and duds — wore different uniforms and played in a different city, you would be jealous.

If this Chiefs team wore Colts uniforms, for instance, you would be terrified with all the scenarios of Mahomes driving a figurative knife through your metaphorical heart with a game-winning drive capped by a Tarkenton scramble with a sack-avoiding cartwheel and left-handed no-look pass threading four defenders.

This is, basically, what Kansas City has waited decades to see.

The Chiefs have the best quarterback in a league that’s never been more dominated by quarterbacks. They have the best offense in a league teaching fans who can’t remember the 2000 Baltimore Ravens that, actually, Offense Wins Championships.

These Chiefs have lost three games, by a total of seven points, each literally or essentially coming down to the final play. They are 3-2 against teams currently holding an AFC playoff spot, with two of those wins on the road.

The losses came against the New England Patriots, who have lost three of five, and the Los Angeles Chargers, who lost to the Chiefs at home and have led the Chiefs for just 4 of 7,200 seconds this season.

The Chiefs have flaws. Oh brother, they’ve got flaws. They have a defense fronted by Chris Jones and Dee Ford and Justin Houston with a solid group of cornerbacks and they’re still somehow terrible.

They have averaged 39.7 points in their losses. The defense scored or set up three touchdowns and the offense gave up two touchdowns in those losses, but still. If you can’t relax with 40 points, you can’t ever relax.

This team has problems keeping its quarterback clean, and has consistently amplified its problems tackling (worst among projected AFC playoff teams, according to Pro Football Focus) by being the NFL’s most penalized team.

So even without a playoff collapse presented in regular season form last week, you wouldn’t have to think too hard to come up with ugly scenarios.

But the AFC lacks a singularly dominant team. Usually, when that happens, the fallback logic is that the hottest team wins. Well, the Chiefs are well-positioned to be that team with a win this weekend in Seattle.

The Seahawks are a terrible matchup for the Chiefs, the league’s best rushing team against the worst rush defense. But they are also beatable, and a home underdog against the team so many here in Kansas City are freaking out about.

Win this weekend and no matter what the Chargers do the Chiefs can clinch another AFC West title and first-round bye with a win over the Raiders in week 17 (the NFL’s version of a layup).

Do all of that and they will be going into the playoffs with the league’s best quarterback and offense, and a defense that is at least getting healthier and presumably a little better with the return of safety Eric Berry.

That’s enough to fight with.

Look, the Chiefs might ruin your January. That is in play. Berry could be injured at any moment, a two-score lead disintegrated in 5 minutes, and a badly timed penalty or missed kick will stir up a lot of ghosts. The new fans will be quick learners on that. Welcome to the heartbreak, suckers.

But the longtime fans can learn something here. Meet in the middle. Open your eyes, and see a quarterback and team capable of scoring an average of 37.7 points against six projected playoff teams.

Unless you are old enough to remember 1969, this is the closest the team you root for has ever resembled the team you’ve wanted it to be.

If you’re giving up hope because of one loss in a year without a dominant team, well, nobody can fault you for protecting your heart. But they might also ask a simple question.

What are you waiting for?

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I almost feel like it's the opposite. We race out early and club the opponents like baby seals, and then when we need a couple of drives to eat clock, we burn 14 seconds off and then punt.

Yes, but not for the reason people think. It's not because we're too aggressive. "Andy forgets to run the ball" doesn't mean he dials up an aggressive passing game. In a bizarre twist, he turtles up while abandoning the run. It's a weird sight to behold.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

I think the question would become if he's throwing those INTs because he has to keep scoring points, or is he seen as careless if the defense ever improves, throwing passes across his body into the middle of the field when they're up 28-3 in the 4th quarter.

When you have to throw 6 touchdowns and score a million points to beat the Rams, interceptions are almost a given, especially for a young QB.

At this point, who cares about narrative. I care about what makes mahomes a better qb. Arguably mahomes is just as mistake prone when he's managing games as he is on the attack. When you're tentative, you might second guess your reads. Hold on to the ball too long. And if he throws an INT in those moments... Who cares? History tells us the alternative was accepting a three and out. The example of slinging across his body is exactly the point... Those are the types of plays mahomes doesn't try when we're up and that to me is a reflection of coaching, not mahomes' mental makeup.

For example... Everyone claims we were right to manage that last drive because of field position and down and distance. If you're in bad field position, the new mentality of this team should be to do everything you can to worsen the chargers field position. Not to burn clock. Not with 3:49 left.I would rather take an INT for trying than take a three and out. At least, I would with the Qb we have. We've got to find the right balance between dialing mahomes back and letting mahomes be mahomes.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

At this point, who cares about narrative. I care about what makes mahomes a better qb. Arguably mahomes is just as mistake prone when he's managing games as he is on the attack. When you're tentative, you might second guess your reads. Hold on to the ball too long. And if he throws an INT in those moments... Who cares? History tells us the alternative was accepting a three and out. The example of slinging across his body is exactly the point... Those are the types of plays mahomes doesn't try when we're up and that to me is a reflection of coaching, not mahomes' mental makeup.

For example... Everyone claims we were right to manage that last drive because of field position and down and distance. If you're in bad field position, the new mentality of this team should be to do everything you can to worsen the chargers field position. Not to burn clock. Not with 3:49 left.I would rather take an INT for trying than take a three and out. At least, I would with the Qb we have. We've got to find the right balance between dialing mahomes back and letting mahomes be mahomes.

Basically, Let Mahomes do Mahomes stuff. He may throw the interception but maybe win the game by himself. The best option we have is to just let Mahomes do his thing.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Basically, Let Mahomes do Mahomes stuff. He may throw the interception but maybe win the game by himself. The best option we have is to just let Mahomes do his thing.

Exactamundo. Unless the game is basically 99% probability of a win, you let Mahomes be mahomes. Don't ask mahomes to be Alex Smith.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Hammock Parties

It's going to be absolutely huge to have our original starting OL back for the playoffs. LDT might be the best pass blocking RG in football.

They better get it all then because winning one and retaining our entire coaching staff is a long-term loss and handicap going forward.

[milkman]

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I agree with everything zilla has said in this thread.

With a defense this bad, don't protect leads.
Build bigger leads.

[Titty Meat]

Weve lost a game where weve scored 40 points and 50 points and another game where Reid does what he does. Sam is selling bullshit.

[GloryDayz]

This is exactly what's meant by a local media that's soft.

[GloryDayz]

Since Mellinger is trying to identify with, associate with, and appeal to the usual high-brow Chiefs/NFL apologists, he should put his job on the line. IOW, given his career in sports, he should bet his ability to pay his mortgage based on the successes of Bob Sutton and his faith.

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

This is exactly what's meant by a local media that's soft.

Right. How the whole Blecher thing was covered up was shameful, all those injuries not shit, how one of the best gms was canned and we still have no explanation.

[pugsnotdrugs19]

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

This is exactly what's meant by a local media that's soft.

Mellinger wrote an article just this past January stating that it was time to fire Bob Sutton. He’s not being soft. He’s being realistic.

The Chiefs are flawed, but so is every team in the AFC. They aren’t dead in the water by any means.

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19

Mellinger wrote an article just this past January stating that it was time to fire Bob Sutton. He’s not being soft. He’s being realistic.

The Chiefs are flawed, but so is every team in the AFC. They aren’t dead in the water by any means.

They all go to the bullshit pressers every week and not once pressed Reid on why Sutton still has a job.

[dlphg9]

Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19

Mellinger wrote an article just this past January stating that it was time to fire Bob Sutton. He’s not being soft. He’s being realistic.

The Chiefs are flawed, but so is every team in the AFC. They aren’t dead in the water by any means.

I would be willing to bet there is no such thing as a flawless team in the NFL. It just doesnt exist. All it takes is one guy that is bad at his position that could potentially **** up a whole play by himself.

[UK_Chief]

Is Andy Reid still calling the plays on offense? I’ve lost track

[007]

Originally Posted by UK_Chief

Is Andy Reid still calling the plays on offense? I’ve lost track

You can definitely tell when he starts taking over play calling in the games.