Seth Keysor: The five stages of 2023 Chiefs fandom

[BigRedChief]

It’s a free article

The five stages of 2023 Chiefs fandom

Let's work towards acceptance of who Kansas City is (a team with a puncher's chance), and who they aren't (a great team).
SETH KEYSOR
DEC 12


I wasn’t mad on Sunday night as I left Arrowhead Stadium. No, seriously, I wasn’t.

Sure, the Chiefs had just lost a(nother) frustrating close game, this time falling by a field goal to a desperate Bills team fighting to stay in the playoff picture. Sure, the Chiefs had basically tanked their chance at the 1-seed in the playoffs and even (gulp) put themselves in some jeopardy of missing the playoffs entirely if they aren’t careful. Sure, three of the last four games have been losses that should have been wins. And sure, once again self-inflicted errors killed what should have been a win. All of those things are quite frustrating. Maddening, even.

And yet, I was in a pretty good mood as I walked out of Arrowhead and drove back to the great white north. Maybe it was because I’d just had yet another fantastic weekend of friends and food (shout out to Meat Mitch, which sent me into a meat-induced food coma Saturday night). Maybe it was because the most beautiful woman in the universe was on my arm as we enjoyed a kidless vacation (love you, kiddos, I swear!). Or maybe it was because I had finally reached a healthy place with the 2023 Chiefs.

The rest is here st the link. It’s free to read.
https://substack.com/app-link/post?p...w96sexBWO5mhQ0

[Stryker]

Originally Posted by DaFace

I'm pretty much there (acceptance). I could never have dreamed of a run like we've had. And while it would be nice to continue every year, it's just crazy tough.

And I mean, is anyone going to COMPLETELY count out Mahomes and Kelce in the playoffs? 1 seed or 7 seed, we'll have a shot.

Actually, well put. This WR core sucks and we still have to face the Bengals then, if we win the AFC West (I think we will) we have an uphill fight through the playoffs and on the road. Going to be interesting to say the least. If Chiefs can turn the WR room around we have a chance - Let's freaking GEAUX and see how we do. Fingers crossed.

[Megatron96]

Good artticle. Thx for posting.



I guess I went through most of the stages after the first DEN game. By the time we lost to PHI, I reached acceptance, kind of. Still have some mad left about possibly wasting a prime Mahomes year, and possibly Travis' last season if he decides to hang 'em up after this season. But you can't win them all.

And it has been a hell of a run, so far. And Pat is a Great Eraser. They have a puncher's chance, yeah. With Pat, who knows?

[MarkDavis'Haircut]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

we know we can’t go to nor win a SB every year until Mahomes retires.

The Pats had some shitty teams and didn’t go to a SB with Brady for 10 years. We are not a shitty team. We are are a good team with a punchers chance.

They went twice in those 10 years but lost both times. But your overall point is valid.

[suzzer99]

And the 2007 Pats are a fluke catch away from universally being called the best team of all time.

[Fishels]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

we know we can’t go to nor win a SB every year until Mahomes retires.

The Pats had some shitty teams and didn’t go to a SB with Brady for 10 years. We are not a shitty team. We are are a good team with a punchers chance.

They didn’t win but they most certainly went twice in those 10 years. Let’s hope Mahomes gets a lot more of those same shots and healthy years.

I think a big part of what makes this year different is the pressure to repeat. It’s about time it happened and if not for a shit O line it already would have

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Megatron96

Good artticle. Thx for posting.



I guess I went through most of the stages after the first DEN game. By the time we lost to PHI, I reached acceptance, kind of. Still have some mad left about possibly wasting a prime Mahomes year, and possibly Travis' last season if he decides to hang 'em up after this season. But you can't win them all.

And it has been a hell of a run, so far. And Pat is a Great Eraser. They have a puncher's chance, yeah. With Pat, who knows?

We are entering stage 2 of the Mahomes era. He’s getting top of the NFL money. Going to have to be cheaper somewhere else.

[Pointer19]

Originally Posted by suzzer99

universally being called the best team

until Patrick Mahomes joined the Chiefs.

[Hayneplane]

Still the team nobody will want to face in the playoffs as long as we get there whether it’s 1 or 7 seed.

Cut out the concentration errors and we can beat anyone out there.

Hell the Eagles just lost by 20 back to back against their key play off rivals yet the only game we really got totally outplayed was Denver 2nd time.

[TEX]

Originally Posted by Hayneplane

Still the team nobody will want to face in the playoffs as long as we get there whether it’s 1 or 7 seed.

Cut out the concentration errors and we can beat anyone out there.

Hell the Eagles just lost by 20 back to back against their key play off rivals yet the only game we really got totally outplayed was Denver 2nd time.

Nah, teams do not fear KC. The concentration errors are who they are this year. Other teams know this is the year to get them. Like the article said, they have a punchers chance. And even though there's a chance, it does not usually translate to victory. Wouldn't u rather face a puncher than a well rounded fighter? I would.

[SD15]

I remember Patrick Mahomes saying something that provided clarity a little while back,
I’m paraphrasing: To be a dynasty you must go through adversity.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Crap article. Get the details right, win a title.

[Eleazar]

What would it take to change our fortunes?

We have to get much, much better WR play. As far as I can see, the team's fortunes changing this year seem to depend on Rice leveling up two levels to provide the required balance on offense. Rice has some potential and is finally getting the snaps, but there's no hope the others will turn into players they are not. Without a receiver who creates problems, we're going to continue to be far too easy to defend.

The drive-killing penalties and turnovers are a problem too, but can the offense suddenly start being disciplined when the group is just... not? Seems unlikely. There's been very little improvement through 13 games.

I'm at the acceptance phase I think. The Chiefs whiffed on the offseason for the most part and it set us back a year or two.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Why are people so surprised games are so close? It's a simple matter of execution at this point as even as all of these teams are. The league is insanely balanced right now and that's a good thing. It's not that "everyone sucks". It's that no team had a noticeable talent advantage over anyone.

[Easy 6]

Solid read, thanks for posting

I'm in the acceptance phase, its too late in the season for drastic change

[TheGreatCassholio]

Originally Posted by Eleazar

What would it take to change our fortunes?

Quit beating ourselves. There hasn't been a loss this year where I've walked away thinking well, that team just totally outplayed us or they're just a better team.

It's always, "WHY DO WE DO SO MUCH STUPID SHIT!"