The Kansas City Chiefs proved once and for all just who the best in the West is. They have won 11 straight division games and swept the entire division this year, a feat no other team can currently stake claim to. This week’s contest against the San Diego Chargers had plenty of ups and downs, from a 95-yard Tyreek Hill touchdown to Alex Smith throwing his longest touchdown of the season…to an opposing defensive back. In the end, the Chiefs defense stepped up and forced turnovers, and that was the winning formula in this 37-27 shootout.
Kansas City Chiefs Week 17 Takeaways
Tyreek Hill Provides Spark of Life
There have been stretches this season and in seasons past where the Kansas City has looked bleak. It’s lacked both excitement and playmaking ability in the recent past and has hindered an extremely talented defense in winning games. That all changed when the Chiefs drafted a troubled prospect named Tyreek Hill in the fifth round.
So far, Hill has looked like the most electric rookie to enter the league this year, and one of the most exciting players in the entire league. In this game he had eight touches on offense and turned it into 61 yards. On his three rushing attempts he picked up 15 yards, averaging five per carry.
The Chiefs utilize him via outside runs and when Hill breaks free and finds space he slips past defenders in a way the league rarely sees these days. The highlight of Hill’s day, however, came on a 95-yard return touchdown where he turned on the jets and blew past everybody San Diego had on the field. He made it look easy as he slid by defender after defender and then tip-toed right on the edge of the sideline to find pay dirt, actually having to knock his own teammate over in the process to avoid stepping out.
Drafting this young man has proven to be one of the best choices the organization has made. Week in and week out his elusiveness and blazing speed are a huge asset and this sensational rookie has opened up the Kansas City offense. He can attack from three phases of the game with his versatile talents in rushing, receiving, and returns. A player with skill of his magnitude and versatility hasn’t been seen since the great Gale Sayers, former Chicago Bear. Talent like this is a key to playoff success.
Win the Battles, Win the War
The Chiefs and the Chargers were closer than the final score told. The final stats were nearly identical. They gained the same number of first downs with 26 and had the same amount of total drives with eight each. The Chiefs ran 60 total plays to the Chargers 64. For the Chiefs, the average yardage for each play was 6.1, while the Chargers had 6.2. The teams were a minute apart in time of possession and San Diego out gained Kansas City by 33 yards.
Despite the almost astonishing closeness in the stats, the Chiefs managed to look dominant and won by ten points. This is because of a couple key small battles won that are often overlooked in the midst of the war. The Chiefs beat the Chargers in the turnover battle, forcing two to their one. All of the game’s turnovers came inside the red zone. This means Kansas City took away two different opportunities the Chargers had to put points on the board. Though the Chargers did this once as well and turned it into a pick-six, it came late in the game after the Chiefs had already established a firm grip on the game.
The turnover battle wasn’t the only one the Chiefs won. They won the penalty battle, having four total penalties for 15 yards as opposed to the Chargers ten for 50. Penalties can be a game wrecker or a game maker. By avoiding them, the Chiefs weren’t in a position where they were helping out the opposition. The third and final of these small yet deciding battles the Chiefs won was third down conversions. They allowed the Chargers to convert just three of their ten while they themselves were able to convert a strong eight of 12. The significance of the third down conversion stat is drive sustenance. Since the Chiefs converted third downs at a high rate, they were able to sustain their drives longer and give themselves a better opportunity to score. Through winning the battles, the Chiefs managed to win the war.
Best in the West
With help from Denver who defeated Oakland, the Chiefs sealed an AFC West title for the first time since 2010. This ended Denver’s five-year reign as champions and may be the dawn of a new era. The Chiefs have won their last 11 against division rivals, effectively stating their dominance.
It’s more than record that makes this team so deserving of the division title, though. They are far more versatile and well-rounded than any of the other three teams. The Broncos rely solely on their defense and don’t possess a capable offense. Defense may win championships, but not without help. The Raiders look dead in the water after rising star quarterback Derek Carr broke his leg. Carr was the cornerstone of this team and without him, this structure is crumbling. The Chargers have some talent on both sides of the ball but lack any sort of major strength. Injuries depleted this team beyond return.
The Chiefs, on the other hand, are very multi-dimensional. They have a strong, opportunistic defense that forces turnovers and steps up big when in counts. Despite big injuries to stars such as Derrick Johnson, Tamba Hali, and Justin Houston, this team has managed to thrive on defense even when each of these pieces has been missing. Their depth allows them insurance for even the most devastating losses. The 2014 first-rounder Dee Ford stepped up when the Chiefs were forced to start the season without a pair of star linebackers. In his time as a starter, he looked like one of the most dominant quarterback-wreckers in the league. He registered ten sacks in the first nine games of the season. The next man up philosophy has been the story of this team. Depth has allowed them to persevere through injuries they’ve been hit by and maintain success no matter who’s out.
Kansas City put their versatility on display in their game against the Chargers by scoring in multiple different ways. An Alex Smith rushing touchdown and a pair of Charcandrick West receiving scores provided the fuel on offense. Tyreek Hill’s 95-yard return touchdown put the cherry on top. The team’s ability to score however needed is complemented well by a solid, accurate kicker in Cairo Santos. This which gives them a little more security even when they don’t find the end zone. This is a team capable of attacking in all facets of the game and that makes them much harder for their opposition to stop. This is why the Chiefs win games and are officially the best in the West.
Conclusion
The Kansas City Chiefs wrapped up a division crown, a first-round bye in the playoffs, and a home playoff game with their win and the Raiders loss. They put their prowess on full display all game long and ended the regular season on a high note. Their team looked capable, dangerous, and well rounded on both sides of the ball. That’s the kind of strength that can give a team real hope for a Lombardi Trophy.
