Chiefs Chiefs’ running game seeks answers following brutal effort vs. Steelers - Page 3

Eleazar · 10-17-2017, 09:09 AM

Chiefs’ running game seeks answers following brutal effort vs. Steelers

BY TEREZ A. PAYLOR
[email protected]

Somewhat lost in the Chiefs’ inability to slow down running back Le’Veon Bell in their 19-13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday was their equally distressing inability to get any semblance of a ground game going.

The Chiefs ranked second in the NFL in rushing entering the contest at 156 yards per game, and boasted the NFL’s leading rusher in rookie sensation Kareem Hunt. Yet the Steelers’ 28th-ranked run defense limited the Chiefs to a mere 28 yards on 15 carries, easily one of the worst rushing outputs of coach Andy Reid’s five-year tenure in Kansas City.

“Honestly, we were just hurting ourselves,” said Hunt, who rushed nine times for 21 yards Sunday after averaging more than 100 yards in his first five contests. “We just have to come out and play fast and play harder.”

Much of the Chiefs’ struggles in this area had to do with Pittsburgh, however. The Steelers appeared to focus heavily on taking away the run, as linebackers consistently crashed gaps while defensive linemen Stephon Tuitt, Cam Heyward and Javon Hargrave took turns defeating their blockers.

“They’re gonna be aware of Kareem, just because of the success he’s been having, early on, running the football,” Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said.

The Chiefs had a little success when they ran their power-based plays with pulling linemen, but they only dialed those up a few times, instead eschewing those concepts for zone running plays — where linemen all flow to one side, simultaneously creating cutback lanes — that have been so good to them this season.

The Steelers were all over those, however, as the Chiefs’ starting offensive line — which was down a pair of starters in center Mitch Morse and right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif — consistently broke down.

And while you could argue the Chiefs simply got impatient with the running game, it’s worth noting that the Chiefs’ lack of success on the ground came despite the fact that the Chiefs often had an “even” box count (the same number of blockers vs. defenders) or even a one-blocker advantage.

Perhaps that’s why the Chiefs threw it 19 more times than they ran it Sunday, despite the fact they’ve generally done a nice job this season mixing the run and pass.

“It’s important to be a balanced football team on offense — you can’t be one-dimensional,” Nagy said. “Being balanced is one of the things I think we’ve done a good job at this year, and depending on the tempo of the game or score of the game, that may swing a little bit one way or another.

“But again … unfortunately for us offensively, it just was a weird day. Things weren’t clicking.”

It speaks to Hunt’s talent that he still finished with 110 yards from scrimmage. It marked his sixth straight game with at least 100 total yards from scrimmage, making him the first NFL rookie to do that. Future Hall-of-Famer Adrian Peterson is the only other player to do so for the first five games of his career.

“For a running back, there’s all different types of phases, so yeah, OK, his numbers weren’t real great running the ball, but he did some great things catching the ball,” Nagy said. “He made some big-time plays when the ball was in his hands, receiving.”

“I have all the confidence in the world that he’s gonna step up this week again, and when we hand the ball off to him, he’ll making positive things happen.”

The Chiefs won’t have much time this week to fix their issues; they head to Oakland to face the Raiders on Thursday night. The Raiders rank 21st in the league vs. the run and surrendered 90 yards on 20 carries in their 17-16 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

The Chiefs might see a new face in the backfield Thursday, too, as they signed veteran C.J. Spiller for the fourth time in a year on Monday. Spiller offers insurance in case third-down back Charcandrick West, who entered concussion protocol in Sunday's loss to the Steelers, is not able to play vs. the Raiders.

Either way, the Chiefs hope to respond to the disappointing defeat like the Steelers did Sunday following their 30-9 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars a week prior.

“Teams bounce back — we can go there,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “They were getting beat by the Jags and they bounced back, so you do the same thing. That’s this league.”

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl...179161516.html

carcosa · 10-17-2017, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fan4ever

I remember a couple of years back when we knocked the crap out of New England on a Monday night game...all sorts of innovative play calling...was excited to think this was the new normal...and then nothing even close for the rest of the season.

Last year in the playoff game, on one of the first, if not the first, drives against Steelers...lots of different stuff...scored a touchdown. That was it for the game...vanilla offense after that.

I don't get what goes through his head.

This is exactly what I was thinking of. It's like he's scared they'll figure it out and he stops doing it way before they ever actually do.

carcosa · 10-17-2017, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

My guess is that it had to do (partially) with backup WR's not being able to execute all the presnap motion, etc. Let them worry about the routes without any illegal formation, movement, etc.

That's at least a reason. Hopefully Robinson will get up to speed and become a useful part of the offense (getting wide open 20+ yards downfield gives us nothing)

Hammock Parties · 10-17-2017, 02:42 PM

We're soft.

We've always been soft on offense under Andy Reid. The defense had some toughness before Poe's back gave way, Jaye Howard went away, DJ started breaking down and Berry broke himself again.

Soft.

Hit this team in the mouth and they fold. Denver knew that and Pittsburgh knows it.

**Rausch** · 10-17-2017, 02:52 PM

It's one bad game.

We only play 3 winning teams the rest of the year...

**HemiEd** · 10-17-2017, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunKC

It was an OL full of backups on Sunday. Last year we could run on them. Ware had over 4 YPC and a TD in the playoff game.

But Andy only gave Ware the rock 8 times because Andy is a pass first moron when we need him to run the damn ball.

One ugly loss and now he is a moran.

To be quite honest, when Andy didn't go for the FG I wondered just how bad he wanted to keep the "only undefeated team" pressure going.

I am not saying he threw the game, but I think he is a little more concerned about the division and ultimate goal, winning a SB.

Just a guess, but I bet there has been a new attitude in practice this week.

**Rain Man** · 10-17-2017, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patteeu

Ooooh, I loved Brad Cottam. We've had some decent players from Tennessee over the years.

I was at that crazy game with my daughter when he broke his neck.

If he ever makes it back, we're going to have a great one two punch with Kelce and Cottam!

It's nice to have memories of good times with your daughter. Other than Brad Cottam, it sounds like everyone had a great time.

JakeF · 10-17-2017, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

It's one bad game.

We only play 3 winning teams the rest of the year...

If you are only worried about our regular season record then your point is valid. If you want to take the next step and start being a legitimate threat to make a super bowl then we need to play better.

T-post Tom · 10-17-2017, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gold_and_red

With a patchwork interior OL the game plan should never prioritize running the ball and never into the teeth of their D. Steelers weakness is their secondary as shown in the 4th quarter where we had multiple chances to win the game. Those WR injuries really messed up with a normally creative and pass happy Andy. I really think we should have gone max protect and took a few intermediate and deep shots to have their LBs back off at the very start. Later in the game maybe the LBs were playing a softer coverage and every play it looked like our WRs would score.

Chiefs got bullied.

stevieray · 10-17-2017, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JakeF

If you are only worried about our regular season record then your point is valid. If you want to take the next step and start being a legitimate threat to make a super bowl then we need to play better.

...because 6-0 means SB, but 5-1 doesn't?

Cmon, now.

BlackOp · 10-17-2017, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevieray

...because 6-0 means SB, but 5-1 doesn't?

Cmon, now.

Steelers play the Patriots this year...so one of the teams competing for HFA is going to lose to the other.

Sunday sucked as it was a four game lead on Pittsburgh reduced to one...considering H2H tie breakers.

tredadda · 10-17-2017, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dartgod

Why does this seem to happen a lot with this team? We can't run against a shitty run defense. Can't get pressure on the QB against a shitty O-line?

Can anyone explain that, besides "because Chiefs"?

“Because Reid”?

Chiefshrink · 10-17-2017, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoover

Morse, LDT, and Ehinger?

Nah, because 2 of the 3 you mentioned here played last year and got their asses handed to them as well by the Steelers.

Here is the answer:

Sack up and match/overpower the opponents physicality. We got thrown around like rag dolls in the trenches on both sides of the ball, PERIOD !!

**MahiMike** · 10-17-2017, 05:52 PM

This is what happens when you don't throw downfield.

jaa1025 · 10-17-2017, 06:25 PM

3 starting oline out, and LT was banged up. I hope we play that sorry ass team in the playoffs.

Chiefshrink · 10-17-2017, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaa1025

3 starting oline out, and LT was banged up. I hope we play that sorry ass team in the playoffs.

I don't IF we are still going to be intimidated.

10-17-2017, 09:09 AM
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	Chiefs’ running game seeks answers following brutal effort vs. Steelers Chiefs’ running game seeks answers following brutal effort vs. Steelers BY TEREZ A. PAYLOR [email protected] Somewhat lost in the Chiefs’ inability to slow down running back Le’Veon Bell in their 19-13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday was their equally distressing inability to get any semblance of a ground game going. The Chiefs ranked second in the NFL in rushing entering the contest at 156 yards per game, and boasted the NFL’s leading rusher in rookie sensation Kareem Hunt. Yet the Steelers’ 28th-ranked run defense limited the Chiefs to a mere 28 yards on 15 carries, easily one of the worst rushing outputs of coach Andy Reid’s five-year tenure in Kansas City. “Honestly, we were just hurting ourselves,” said Hunt, who rushed nine times for 21 yards Sunday after averaging more than 100 yards in his first five contests. “We just have to come out and play fast and play harder.” Much of the Chiefs’ struggles in this area had to do with Pittsburgh, however. The Steelers appeared to focus heavily on taking away the run, as linebackers consistently crashed gaps while defensive linemen Stephon Tuitt, Cam Heyward and Javon Hargrave took turns defeating their blockers. “They’re gonna be aware of Kareem, just because of the success he’s been having, early on, running the football,” Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said. The Chiefs had a little success when they ran their power-based plays with pulling linemen, but they only dialed those up a few times, instead eschewing those concepts for zone running plays — where linemen all flow to one side, simultaneously creating cutback lanes — that have been so good to them this season. The Steelers were all over those, however, as the Chiefs’ starting offensive line — which was down a pair of starters in center Mitch Morse and right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif — consistently broke down. And while you could argue the Chiefs simply got impatient with the running game, it’s worth noting that the Chiefs’ lack of success on the ground came despite the fact that the Chiefs often had an “even” box count (the same number of blockers vs. defenders) or even a one-blocker advantage. Perhaps that’s why the Chiefs threw it 19 more times than they ran it Sunday, despite the fact they’ve generally done a nice job this season mixing the run and pass. “It’s important to be a balanced football team on offense — you can’t be one-dimensional,” Nagy said. “Being balanced is one of the things I think we’ve done a good job at this year, and depending on the tempo of the game or score of the game, that may swing a little bit one way or another. “But again … unfortunately for us offensively, it just was a weird day. Things weren’t clicking.” It speaks to Hunt’s talent that he still finished with 110 yards from scrimmage. It marked his sixth straight game with at least 100 total yards from scrimmage, making him the first NFL rookie to do that. Future Hall-of-Famer Adrian Peterson is the only other player to do so for the first five games of his career. “For a running back, there’s all different types of phases, so yeah, OK, his numbers weren’t real great running the ball, but he did some great things catching the ball,” Nagy said. “He made some big-time plays when the ball was in his hands, receiving.” “I have all the confidence in the world that he’s gonna step up this week again, and when we hand the ball off to him, he’ll making positive things happen.” The Chiefs won’t have much time this week to fix their issues; they head to Oakland to face the Raiders on Thursday night. The Raiders rank 21st in the league vs. the run and surrendered 90 yards on 20 carries in their 17-16 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. The Chiefs might see a new face in the backfield Thursday, too, as they signed veteran C.J. Spiller for the fourth time in a year on Monday. Spiller offers insurance in case third-down back Charcandrick West, who entered concussion protocol in Sunday's loss to the Steelers, is not able to play vs. the Raiders. Either way, the Chiefs hope to respond to the disappointing defeat like the Steelers did Sunday following their 30-9 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars a week prior. “Teams bounce back — we can go there,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “They were getting beat by the Jags and they bounced back, so you do the same thing. That’s this league.” http://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl...179161516.html
Posts: 80,659

10-17-2017, 02:42 PM	#33
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $790478	We're soft. We've always been soft on offense under Andy Reid. The defense had some toughness before Poe's back gave way, Jaye Howard went away, DJ started breaking down and Berry broke himself again. Soft. Hit this team in the mouth and they fold. Denver knew that and Pittsburgh knows it. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 297,459

10-17-2017, 05:52 PM	#43
MahiMike He's Mahomie! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Jax, FL Casino cash: $10023443	This is what happens when you don't throw downfield. __________________ 99.9%
Posts: 17,387

10-17-2017, 06:25 PM	#44
jaa1025 Veteran Join Date: Nov 2006 Casino cash: $10000898	3 starting oline out, and LT was banged up. I hope we play that sorry ass team in the playoffs.
Posts: 2,922