The Kansas City Chiefs (6-5) are looking to halt a mid season funk as they head back to MetLife Stadium, this time to take on the New York Jets (4-7). The Chiefs still maintain a lead in the AFC West, barely clinging on to a one game lead over the surging Los Angeles Chargers. Here are the week 13 Kansas City Chiefs keys to victory.
Week 13 Kansas City Chiefs Keys to Victory
Push the Ball Downfield
It cannot just be a coincidence that the Chiefs recent stretch (stench?) on offense has coincided with the team not attempting the deep ball as often as they were when they started 5-0. Alex Smith has trended back to his old ways, throwing bubbles and passes behind the line of scrimmage. There have been multiple debates about who the Chiefs should start at quarterback, but it’s clear Andy Reid is still committed to Smith.
The Chiefs have to do something to get their offense going this week. The shovel passes, bubble screens and dump offs do not work against zone defense, which teams are now playing week in and week out against the Chiefs until they prove they can exploit it. This does not mean Smith should throw 30-plus yards down the field every snap as if he were playing Madden, but the team has to make the defense respect the deep ball again.
Win the Trenches
Yes, it’s cliche. Yes, this is a key to winning almost every week. But this is clearly one of the Chiefs most glaring issues. The offensive line is missing its nastiness and it shows every week. Mitchell Schwartz has been very good, but the rest of the line has faltered at least multiple times this year.
Clearly, no one knows what the answer is. Maybe Parker Ehinger can bring some of the swagger back to an offensive line that desperately needs it, but he has been a healthy scratch the last few weeks. Ehinger was a starter as a rookie last season before suffering a knee injury that sidelined him for a calendar year.
Either way, something has to give. The offense will not find success again until the line starts blocking better both in pass protection and run blocking. If the Chiefs can protect Smith or whomever is behind center, the team will perform similarly to the first five weeks of the season.
Don’t Outsmart Yourself
This one is for Andy Reid. You are thinking too hard. Kareem Hunt has just 38 carries over the last three games. Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce have thrown half as many interceptions as Smith because of gimmicky play calls. The offense doesn’t need this.
Get the ball to your playmakers down the field. Let Kelce dominate the middle and Hill burn outside the numbers. Run Hunt into the back of the offensive line as needed to in order to keep the defense honest, respecting the run. If this team has any hopes of even making the playoffs, let alone win a playoff game, the offense has to find its footing at some point.
Conclusion
You’ll notice we haven’t discussed the defense, special teams, Darrelle Revis, or penalties yet. That’s because none of that matters unless the offense starts to move the ball consistently and becomes a threat to score again.
Kansas City should not expect a six interception performance by the defense like they got last year when the Jets visited Arrowhead. The offense will have to move the ball and score some points if Kansas City looks to get back to its winning ways.
After the game in New York Jersey this weekend, the Chiefs will be home for three straight contests, with two of those being divisional rivals. The Chiefs have shown under Reid that they can be streaky. There was a stretch a few seasons back that the team went 1-5, followed by a 27-4 run, then back into this current 1-5 rut. If the Chiefs want to right the ship this season, it has to start on Sunday. If they don’t, it may be time to start looking towards the future.
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