‘It’s crazy’: In spite of it all, the Chiefs are looking like a Super Bowl contender

[Hammock Parties]

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/sp...235362442.html

A dozen or so reporters stood a few feet from Frank Clark’s locker. We waited. This is a process, and both sides know what is expected. We don’t approach until he has a shirt on. He stands up when he’s ready.

The moment came, and the Chiefs defensive lineman started to stand, but then he went back down.

“I need a water,” he said. “I’m parched. Chasing Lamar Jackson around, he’s going to make you parched.”

Derrick Nnadi, Clark’s teammate on the line, brought a bottled Dasani and we were all in business. The point that came, from both Clark’s need of hydration and pretty much everything said after the Chiefs’ 33-28 win over the Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday:

The Chiefs won a grown-man game.

“He gave us the best shot he can do,” Clark said of Jackson, the Ravens’ flash-fast quarterback.

“You can never really get a game plan for Lamar Jackson,” Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones said. “He is so fast in real life, it’s crazy.”

That’s all true. Jackson is wildly talented, wickedly dangerous and still inexperienced enough you should expect improvement. The Ravens are strong, fast and smart, and might be better positioned than the Houston Texans and L.A. Chargers and others to threaten the Chiefs’ and (especially) the New England Patriots’ place at the top of the AFC.

But if what we saw here is an indication, the gap between the Patriots and Chiefs and the rest of the AFC is significant.

One paragraph of indisputable reality. September is far too early to know what January will look like. After Week 3 last year, the Patriots stood 1-2, with a blowout loss against the Lions. Injuries and trends can always change a team’s outlook.

But the Ravens could prove to be the best team the Chiefs play this regular season other than the Patriots, and the Chiefs controlled this game. They took the lead early in the second quarter, then pushed it to 17 points heading into the fourth quarter before holding on.

They did this without their best wide receiver, their starting running back and their starting left tackle.

With those injuries and an overhaul of the coaches and players on defense, a logical case can be made that the Chiefs are well-positioned to improve on both sides of the ball.

“With coach it’s always, ‘Next man up,’ and he really believes it,” left guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif said. “He doesn’t make a big deal out of it. It’s always like, ‘Let’s go, we’re rolling, we’ve got that play for you this week, we’re going to make you look great.’” And then we just execute.

“Obviously, of course, I want these guys to be back, but it’s crazy the depth we have on this team.”

Improvement points exist. The Ravens disguise blitzes as well as anyone in the NFL, but the Chiefs have be better with recognition. Patrick Mahomes was sacked just once but hit eight times, often hard, sometimes late, and on at least one occasion by a man blocked by no one.

Mahomes is young, and tough, but if he is injured, the Chiefs’ season flips on its head.

It’s not just about protection, though. The Ravens rushed for 203 yards, and the Chiefs are now giving up 6.2 yards per rush. The Chiefs also did not force a turnover against their first likely postseason opponent, despite opportunities.

The combination of those flaws presents an enticing plan for a capable opponent: move the ball and keep Mahomes sidelined with running plays, while taking the occasional shot with the comfort that the ball will remain safe.

The Ravens and Patriots, for what it’s worth, are as equipped as anyone to exploit those weaknesses.

Of course, the other side of that is you have to figure out a way to not be cast as an extra in another line of Mahomes’ highlights.

That answer remains a mystery 21 games into Mahomes’ life as the Chiefs’ starting quarterback. Bill Belichick has come the closest, but it’s worth noting at least two things: Belichick is greatest defensive mind in the sport’s history and his teams gave up 62 points in the second halves of two games last year.

The defense should be given another couple games before we can have a worthwhile idea of what they’ll be. Flashes are there. They pressured Jackson, adjusted well at times, and the secondary provided consistently good coverage against a tricky group of pass catchers.

It’s also true that the tackling was horrendous, the production too inconsistent, and surrendering three scores in the fourth quarter is a bad look.

But, again. That group should be given a little more time before any declarations, good or bad.

In a lot of ways, the ability of Mahomes and coach Andy Reid and everyone else to keep the offense operating like a spaceship is the most impressive part of these first three games — and the most encouraging in the long term.

It’s no surprise that the Chiefs are averaging more than 30 points per game again. That’s what they do.

But the way it’s happened must be like a horror film for defensive coordinators. Mahomes played a game and a half on a sprained ankle. Hill has been healthy for about one quarter. Fisher’s absence has stretched the line thin, and some deficiencies have been exposed in both run blocking and blitz recognition.

And the Chiefs are averaging 7.5 yards per play.

Think about it like this. Mecole Hardman has touchdown receptions of 42 and 83 yards the last two weeks. Demarcus Robinson was the league’s most productive receiver last week, and against the Ravens he had a spectacular double move that he finished with a one-handed catch near the sideline in the end zone.

One of those guys is the Chiefs’ fifth pass-catching option. And that’s if you don’t count running backs, which you should, because Reid is better than anyone at designing catches for running backs.

One more time. September can be a lie. The Chiefs started Reid’s first season in Kansas City 9-0 and lost the wild card game. They started each of the last two seasons 5-0 and peaked with last year’s loss in the AFC Championship Game.

Any result that doesn’t include at least a Super Bowl appearance will be taken as a disappointment. Those are the stakes.

But here’s the part that matters, and the only thing that can matter this early in the season: The Chiefs look entirely capable of growing into and up to that expectation.

[Buehler445]

An extra in Mahomes highlight film.

It’s nice to be on the other side of that for the first time in 16 years.

[MAHOMO 4 LIFE!]

LeSean McCoy says he’s actually having fun playing football again. Said it’s been a few years since he’s felt this way

[Ubeja Vontell]

Mahomes reminds me of Lawrence Taylor, something totally unique/different. We have never seen anything like what we are now seeing with Mahomes. He is already on all time lists, how is that even possible? Two seasons....(forget his first)...?

As long as injuries don't rear their ugly head, this will be the year we replace the Pats on top the mountain, We are ready!

[eDave]

Originally Posted by Ubeja Vontell

Mahomes reminds me of Lawrence Taylor, something totally unique/different. We have never seen anything like what we are now seeing with Mahomes. He is already on all time lists, how is that even possible? Two seasons....(forget his first)...?

As long as injuries don't rear their ugly head, this will be the year we replace the Pats on top the mountain, We are ready!

Mahomes is getting hit too many times for my liking.

[Mahomes_Is_God]

Originally Posted by eDave

Mahomes is getting hit too many times for my liking.

This. Gotta minimize that shit.

[eDave]

Originally Posted by Mahomes_Is_God

This. Gotta minimize that shit.

Gotta start calling it. I swear, I feel like the league is giving Mahomes the "welcome to the NFL" treatment now. Like he has to pay his dues or some shit.

I dunno. Maybe I'm just a silly proud/worried parent.

[Red Dawg]

Defense still must get better. They have played a lot better but have we seen champ quality yet that can stop Brady when needed? Not yet. Way too many rushing yards are being given up.

[UK_Chief]

OL and DL need to improve. Other than that I think we’ll be ok.

[Kman34]

Just got to work and the Chiefs is all anyone wants to talk about... This team and Mahomes are the toast of the town..

[bowener]

Originally Posted by UK_Chief

OL and DL need to improve. Other than that I think we’ll be ok.

I'd love for the Chiefs to spend the next few drafts picking OL at 32 and 64. Find a corner via free agency.

[Mecca]

Originally Posted by bowener

I'd love for the Chiefs to spend the next few drafts picking OL at 32 and 64. Find a corner via free agency.

Just to be real, even with a top flight line he's going to get hit some because they throw it down the field.

The QB's that don't get hit throw the ball in 2 seconds, we do some of that but a lot of the game is about going deep which does lead to some hits.

[Chris Meck]

Originally Posted by eDave

Mahomes is getting hit too many times for my liking.

I think this coming off-season should be dedicated to an offensive line re-build along with a sprinkling of more defense.

[Chris Meck]

Originally Posted by Mecca

Just to be real, even with a top flight line he's going to get hit some because they throw it down the field.

The QB's that don't get hit throw the ball in 2 seconds, we do some of that but a lot of the game is about going deep which does lead to some hits.

This is true, but the line play isn't very good right now.

[threebag]

Originally Posted by eDave

Gotta start calling it. I swear, I feel like the league is giving Mahomes the "welcome to the NFL" treatment now. Like he has to pay his dues or some shit.

I dunno. Maybe I'm just a silly proud/worried parent.

QB Producer?