The Kansas City Chiefs were upset in Week 16, falling 20-14 to the Las Vegas Raiders on December 24.
“There’s definitely a little red alert. The Chiefs got to come to the realization of who they are: they are a defensive football team right now,” said NBC Sports’ Chris Simms on December 26. “Stop looking to regain some magic from the 2017 or 2018 team – or 2019. None of that’s happening. The league has caught on to this offense.”
Chiefs Must ‘Stop Looking to Regain Magic’ on Offense, Analyst Says
Offense Failing Chiefs Defense
Kansas City’s offense ranks ninth in total yards and 11th in points scored. Those are not only the lowest marks of the Patrick Mahomes era, but the lowest since the 2016 season when the team finished 12-4 but lost 18-16 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
Simms — who spent five seasons in the NFL and grew up in the game — offered his evaluation after Raiders cornerback Jack Jones noted his team’s lack of fear of the Chiefs’ weapons.
Jones came away with an interception on the day.
“They don’t have weapons, and my big thing with the Chiefs is, you can’t be not talented in the pass game and not creative in the pass game,” Simms continued. “They have a double whammy working right now and that’s really tough to overcome.”
The Chiefs still sit atop the AFC West at 9-6. That is thanks to their defense, which ranks second in both total yards and points allowed.
Those are the defense’s highest marks since 2014 and 1995, respectively.
Travis Kelce Drops NSFW Rant on Accountability
“It’s not just one guy, it’s not just me playing like dog s***,” star tight end Travis Kelce said during the New Heights podcast on December 27. “Everybody’s in this f****** thing together. Everybody, at some point, isn’t being accountable.”
Kelce admitted to playing poorly earlier in the season. But he had picked it up over the last several weeks. The veteran averaged 5.3 receptions and 85 yards over three weeks, though he still has not found the end zone since Week 10. He has had 10 grabs for 72 yards over the last two weeks.
The 34-year-old Kelce is on pace for his fewest yards per game since 2015.
Chiefs List 5 Players Out for 1st Practice of Week 17
Their offensive woes won’t get any easier if they cannot clean up their injury report. With notable names like Isiah Pacheco and Donovan Smith listed as non-participants, things could remain shaky in Week 17. They also listed cornerbacks L’Jarius Sneed and Jaylen Watson as non-participants, potentially putting a dent in that stout defense.
The Chiefs have dropped three of their last four outings and five of their last six.
While they still control whether or not they make the playoffs, they will likely have to take the road to the Super Bowl. That is if they overcome their shortfalls.
They have not shown that ability to this point. But Patrick Mahomes has remained confident in the group’s ability to keep fighting through the adversity. But they will have to prove it on the field. They will close the season against the Cincinnati Bengals — who are without star quarterback Joe Burrow and could be without wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase — and then finish on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Main Photo: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
