Chiefs Chiefs still eyeing postseason at 3-5 - Page 7

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/

FringeNC · 11-05-2015, 02:38 PM

Problem with making the playoffs is the Denver game. Win that one, and 5-2 seems possible. Lose that one, and you're looking at needing to go 6-1.

Given our situation and the bye week, I'm sure Reid is treating preparation for the matchup like it is a playoff game. Win that game, and you've hit the reset button on the season.

**Rausch** · 11-05-2015, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FringeNC

Problem with making the playoffs is the Denver game. Win that one, and 5-2 seems possible. Lose that one, and you're looking at needing to go 6-1.

Given our situation and the bye week, I'm sure Reid is treating preparation for the matchup like it is a playoff game. Win that game, and you've hit the reset button on the season.

Reid having the added pressure of it "being" a playoff game scares me even more.

His pants-$3it-tastic game management is the wild card that worries me most...

**ptlyon** · 11-05-2015, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FringeNC

Given our situation and the bye week, I'm sure Reid is treating preparation for the matchup like it is a playoff game.

Yeah, right

ThaVirus · 11-05-2015, 02:52 PM

Beating the Broncos would save this season for me.

Pitt Gorilla · 11-05-2015, 02:54 PM

We are a couple of colossal ****ups away from being 5-3.

ThaVirus · 11-05-2015, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

We are a couple of colossal ****ups away from being 5-3.

We should really, REALLY be 6-2 right now.

What a waste of a potentially awesome season.

Red Dawg · 11-05-2015, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spott

Not a chance in hell.

I agree and we shouldn't want to anyway. We need lose out for the draft not lose again in the playoffs. Denver is a loss and we may split with SD and Oak at best. Buff should beat us as well.

Despite beating Pitt and Detroit this team still has a pathedic offense and Smith at the helm. That's 9 losses we should get and we should hope for more.

O.city · 11-05-2015, 03:11 PM

30 for 30

The year of the championship in KC.

**DaneMcCloud** · 11-05-2015, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuckdaddy

I agree and we shouldn't want to anyway. We need lose out for the draft not lose again in the playoffs. Denver is a loss and we may split with SD and Oak at best. Buff should beat us as well.

Despite beating Pitt and Detroit this team still has a pathedic offense and Smith at the helm. That's 9 losses we should get and we should hope for more.

You say some of the dumbest shit I've ever seen on this site.

Three7s · 11-05-2015, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEX

Not wise thinking because IF the Chiefs do that, then they'll go out and lose to the Chargers at Arrowhead or something - Because Chiefs!

As Chiefs fans, we KNOW the deal. ANd the deal is that terrible Bears defeat is a separate "Because Chiefs loss", and won't count as any kind of a demoralizing loss to a suck team, that we can say occurred as a "Because Chiefs equalizer" for beating a good team. Nope, IF they beat Denver in Denver, then a totally separate CRUSHING "Because- Chiefs - loss" to another suck ass team will follow as soon as we start to believe...

Because Chiefs

Just for some perspective on how bad the AFC is, the Raiders lost to the Bears too. They're the 5 seed currently.

Spott · 11-05-2015, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuckdaddy

I agree and we shouldn't want to anyway. We need lose out for the draft not lose again in the playoffs. Denver is a loss and we may split with SD and Oak at best. Buff should beat us as well.

Despite beating Pitt and Detroit this team still has a pathedic offense and Smith at the helm. That's 9 losses we should get and we should hope for more.

They won't lose out. 7-9 is the ceiling for this team and I'm guessing they go 6-10. Anyone that has false hope will lose it when they lose by 2 touchdowns to Denver.

**Trivers** · 11-05-2015, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

You say some of the dumbest shit I've ever seen on this site.

He states this losernonsense all the time. Sorta have to consider the source and ignore him.

He probably never played any other sport than kickball in his life.

**Predarat** · 11-05-2015, 03:24 PM

If they can get past Denver..........

Red Dawg · 11-05-2015, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

You say some of the dumbest shit I've ever seen on this site.

Shut the hell up asshole. We need loses not wins and all this playoff talk is useless. This teams needs to make the playoffs for what? Another loss?

Never mind just go away.

**DaneMcCloud** · 11-05-2015, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuckdaddy

Shut the hell up asshole. We need loses not wins and all this playoff talk is useless. This teams needs to make the playoffs for what? Another loss?

Never mind just go away.

So, you root for a team to lose so that they have a little better chance to select a good player in the lottery?

That's just plain ****ing stupid.

Also, the Chargers are dead with all of their injuries. They'll be lucky to win another game. The Chiefs beat them 3 out of the last 4 times they played and had it not been for Succop's misses, it would be 4-4.

Buffalo doesn't have a QB and their defense has regressed, yet you think they'll beat the Chiefs at Arrowhead? Based on what, exactly?

Hoping for losses? Yeah, go **** yourself.

PS: I will reiterate once again that anyone with "Daddy" in his user name is most likely a mouth-breathing Mongo.

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, 02:38 PM	#91
FringeNC MVP Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: NC Casino cash: $-1593986	Problem with making the playoffs is the Denver game. Win that one, and 5-2 seems possible. Lose that one, and you're looking at needing to go 6-1. Given our situation and the bye week, I'm sure Reid is treating preparation for the matchup like it is a playoff game. Win that game, and you've hit the reset button on the season.
Posts: 10,234

11-05-2015, 02:52 PM	#94
ThaVirus 5 o’clock free crack giveaway Join Date: Sep 2007 Casino cash: $-1607631	Beating the Broncos would save this season for me.
Posts: 46,913

11-05-2015, 02:54 PM	#95
Pitt Gorilla Banned! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: NOT Columbia, MO 65201 Casino cash: $50194	We are a couple of colossal ****ups away from being 5-3. __________________ Your son is a bench warmer because of your weak genetics not because of the coach Norlin Mommsen is disgusting.
Posts: 47,330

11-05-2015, 03:11 PM	#98
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $-545936	30 for 30 The year of the championship in KC.
Posts: 84,158

11-05-2015, 03:24 PM	#103
Predarat Run Chiefs fans, run!! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Nashville, TN Casino cash: $9963863	If they can get past Denver..........
Posts: 10,776