It was a freezing mid-December day, the second coldest in Arrowhead Stadium history. The Tennessee Titans looked like they were feeling the chill, while the Chiefs looked to be thriving in it. Then, suddenly, the Titans were only down by two with five seconds on the clock. Tennessee went for a 51 yard field goal, and Ryan Succop misses. But wait, Chiefs coach Andy Reid had called a timeout. Succop changes his trajectory and nails it on his second try. Reid’s decision loses them the game.
Kansas City Chiefs Week 15 Takeaways
Tyreek Hill Is the Team’s MVP
Tyreek Hill did it again. He ripped off a long touchdown. He rushed for a 68 yard beauty of a score against the Titans. That was the lone time he got the ball in his hands on offense, but he turned into something huge.
Hill is one of the most electric and dangerous players to come into the league in recent memory. Every time he touches the football he is a threat to score. When he gets into the open field he can’t be stopped. He has blazing fast 4.25 40-yard dash speed and when he gets loose the defense simply can’t catch him. He has nine combined touchdowns this season between receiving, rushing, and returns. Hill has been a desperately needed offensive spark for Kansas City and has added a whole new dimension to the team. The man has been so good that he looks like he deserves Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Yes, even over Cowboys star rookie Ezekiel Elliott. Much of Elliott’s success has been a product of that offensive line. Hill’s has been much more impressive and hard earned.
Defense Is Both the Chiefs Kryptonite and Saving Grace
The Chiefs have won many of their games because of a talented, opportunistic defense that makes clutch plays. This was almost one of them. An early forced fumble deep inside their red zone that soon turned into point looked to be a statement play. Later in the game, safety Ron Parker snagged a beautiful one-handed interception and it looked again like the Chiefs could continue dominance. The defense kept making plays and looking like they could win a game by themselves. Then the Titans cranked up the run game, and running backs DeMarco Murray and rookie Derrick Henry trampled them. The pair were like twin wrecking balls, gaining nearly 200 scrimmage yards between them. Henry had a pair of touchdowns. The Chiefs absolutely could not stop the run, and in the end that’s what led to their demise.
Alex Smith Is Capable of Making Plays
Alex Smith did not have a big statistical day. Maybe not even a good one. But he did make a few important plays. He didn’t throw a single touchdown, but he did run one in, proving he has value using his legs. Smith also threw a beautiful long bomb to Jeremy Maclin, showing that he could indeed throw a deep pass when it’s needed. He isn’t flashy. He isn’t elite. But he can get the job done and perform where he needs to.
Conclusion
The Chiefs showed big flashes of looking like a major Super Bowl contender throughout the game. They exhibited a blend of opportunistic defensive play along with a big flash of Tyreek Hill and a strong run game. It was a game within reach of winning, and it should have been won. Yet a single call by the coach handed it away.
