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

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/

O.city · 11-05-2015, 12:02 PM

The chargers are trash now, the Raiders are meh and we're hot as **** right now.

Prepare yourselves for a 30 for 30 type run

rabblerouser · 11-05-2015, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

The chargers are trash now, the Raiders are meh and we're hot as **** right now.

Prepare yourselves for a 30 for 30 type run

I sure hope you're right.

rabblerouser · 11-05-2015, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMeatballDave

Rivers is also capable of shitting himself like he did with the fumbled snap in KC when he had the game won.

That's at Arrowhead.

Didn't that game put us at 5-5, tied for the division lead on Halloween night??

2011

ThaVirus · 11-05-2015, 12:13 PM

The Raiders have the Steelers this weekend. Who do we root for?

The Raiders have the Steelers then the Vikings. Then they have a favorable three game stretch including teams like the Lions, Titans, and Chiefs. That's followed by the Broncos and Packers in back to back weeks. Then they close out the season against SD and KC.

Even with the emergence of the Raiders we do seem to have one of the more favorable back end schedules of any playoff hopeful. It's a shame we dug ourselves such a deep hole to start.

**New World Order** · 11-05-2015, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

The chargers are trash now, the Raiders are meh and we're hot as **** right now.

Prepare yourselves for a 30 for 30 type run

For us to go to the playoffs we would have to sweep Oakland and SD, beat buffalo, Baltimore (they are still tough),

Those are all at the very least competitive teams. Baltimore hung with Arizona at AZ and SD was 3 yards away from going to OT at gb.

**New World Order** · 11-05-2015, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

The Raiders have the Steelers this weekend. Who do we root for?

The Raiders have the Steelers then the Vikings. Then they have a favorable three game stretch including teams like the Lions, Titans, and Chiefs. That's followed by the Broncos and Packers in back to back weeks. Then they close out the season against SD and KC.

Even with the emergence of the Raiders we do seem to have one of the more favorable back end schedules of any playoff hopeful. It's a shame we dug ourselves such a deep hole to start.

Pitt for sure. Don't we hold the tie breaker?

**New World Order** · 11-05-2015, 12:18 PM

That Bears game ****ing killed us. I think we would have a solid shot at the playoffs if we had won that game.

TEX · 11-05-2015, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabblerouser

That's at Arrowhead.

Didn't that game put us at 5-5, tied for the division lead on Halloween night??

2011

Seems odd that the record could be 5-5 for an Oct 31 game. Seems too early in year for that. But the rest of the scenario might be correct.

TEX · 11-05-2015, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New World Order

That Bears game ****ing killed us. I think we would have a solid shot at the playoffs if we had won that game.

Yep. Would be right in the mix. 4-4 is way different than 3-5.

chiefzilla1501 · 11-05-2015, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Have you thought that maybe they intend on trying to re-sign him?

I brought him up because he is one of five chiefs (Sean Smith, dj, Hali, chase) who are free agents next year. And of those four, several of them the chiefs have no intent whatsoever of resigning these guys. I would rather even a 7th rounder vs letting a player go next year for nothing.

**Bugeater** · 11-05-2015, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cochise

Well nobody seemed to like my idea of abandoning the Chiefs and making this RoyalsPlanet permanently, so it's still a football board!

I like the idea and actually suggested it myself as well. But apparently there are a couple people who still like the Chiefs for whatever reason.

ThaVirus · 11-05-2015, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New World Order

Pitt for sure. Don't we hold the tie breaker?

We did beat them head to head.

tk13 · 11-05-2015, 12:31 PM

I don't think either side of this team is playing at a championship level. I wouldn't expect us to make the playoffs. But that said, I don't think people realize how terrible the AFC is. There might literally be 3 good teams out of 16. And one of those has a worse playoff drought than the Chiefs, and the other has a QB with a noodle arm when he gets into cold weather. Although Denver's defense is so good, it'll give them a legit shot.

With the Colts being a disaster off the field, and Luck having broken ribs, the AFC South might be wide open. I don't think people realize Houston is tied for 1st and Jax is a half game back. Whoever gets that #5 seed might be legitimately favored in that game against the AFC South.

That #5 seed right now is Oakland. The same people complaining about how the Chiefs shouldn't try to win are going to be the same people moaning about how Oakland won another playoff game before the Chiefs in two months.

ThaVirus · 11-05-2015, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

I brought him up because he is one of five chiefs (Sean Smith, dj, Hali, chase) who are free agents next year. And of those four, several of them the chiefs have no intent whatsoever of resigning these guys. I would rather even a 7th rounder vs letting a player go next year for nothing.

But think about all those comp picks!!!!!

rabblerouser · 11-05-2015, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

I brought him up because he is one of five chiefs (Sean Smith, dj, Hali, chase) who are free agents next year. And of those four, several of them the chiefs have no intent whatsoever of resigning these guys. I would rather even a 7th rounder vs letting a player go next year for nothing.

Yuuup...

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

11-05-2015, 12:02 PM	#61
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $-545936	The chargers are trash now, the Raiders are meh and we're hot as **** right now. Prepare yourselves for a 30 for 30 type run
Posts: 84,157

11-05-2015, 12:13 PM	#64
ThaVirus 5 o’clock free crack giveaway Join Date: Sep 2007 Casino cash: $-1607631	The Raiders have the Steelers this weekend. Who do we root for? The Raiders have the Steelers then the Vikings. Then they have a favorable three game stretch including teams like the Lions, Titans, and Chiefs. That's followed by the Broncos and Packers in back to back weeks. Then they close out the season against SD and KC. Even with the emergence of the Raiders we do seem to have one of the more favorable back end schedules of any playoff hopeful. It's a shame we dug ourselves such a deep hole to start.
Posts: 46,911

11-05-2015, 12:18 PM	#67
New World Order Choco Favre Join Date: Jul 2012 Casino cash: $-1015235	That Bears game ****ing killed us. I think we would have a solid shot at the playoffs if we had won that game.
Posts: 32,120

11-05-2015, 12:31 PM	#73
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $-1677500	I don't think either side of this team is playing at a championship level. I wouldn't expect us to make the playoffs. But that said, I don't think people realize how terrible the AFC is. There might literally be 3 good teams out of 16. And one of those has a worse playoff drought than the Chiefs, and the other has a QB with a noodle arm when he gets into cold weather. Although Denver's defense is so good, it'll give them a legit shot. With the Colts being a disaster off the field, and Luck having broken ribs, the AFC South might be wide open. I don't think people realize Houston is tied for 1st and Jax is a half game back. Whoever gets that #5 seed might be legitimately favored in that game against the AFC South. That #5 seed right now is Oakland. The same people complaining about how the Chiefs shouldn't try to win are going to be the same people moaning about how Oakland won another playoff game before the Chiefs in two months.
Posts: 56,600