Chiefs lose, still a top 3 team in league

[andysredflag 7]

The Chiefs lost today. It was a tough loss. But it was not their worst loss. 

 

The loss at Pittsburgh was worse. The Texans loss was worse. The Bucs loss was worse. Those losses didn't FEEL worse than this one, but they were undoubtedly worse. The Chiefs earned this win and had it stolen from them, just as the Broncos had earned the win over the Chiefs three weeks ago and had it stolen from them. The Broncos lost to a desperate Chiefs team that got lucky late, and today, the Chiefs lost to a hot Titans team that got lucky late. It happens. Has happened. Will happen. 

 

The Lions had everything to play for at the Giants today. First-round bye. Home playoff game. Division title. They blew it. Laid an egg. 

 

The Broncos, the defending Super Bowl champs, are fighting for their playoff lives. At home. New England rolls in. Big crowd. And ... the Broncos have 3 points and trail by 10 entering the 4th quarter as I type this. 

 

The Raiders, much like the Chiefs today, have everything to play for. As I type this, they trail the Chargers 16-13 early in the 4th quarter. Maybe the Raiders will win, maybe they won't, but no matter what happens in the next 10 minutes, they're a legitimate threat to win the AFC. 

 

And so are the Chiefs.

 

You might try to convince yourself otherwise, but you won't convince me. Because this year's NFL is filled with flawed teams, and the Chiefs--despite what you might think--are more balanced and have fewer flaws than most.

 

You will hear, again and again, how bad the Chiefs offense is. But if evaluating them on a per-play basis, adjusting for strength of opponent and a host of other variables that points per game and total yards don't tell you, the Chiefs are rated #12 offensively. They are, per advanced metrics, an above average offense. Above average despite playing 1.5 games without Alex Smith, despite missing Jeremy Maclin several games, despite missing Spencer Ware for a game, despite weather that has often times stunk--from the rain in Oakland and Pittsburgh, to the bitter cold of KC the last few weeks. 

 

You will hear, again and again, how the Chiefs defense has bailed the offense out repeatedly this year. There is some truth to that. At minimum, the defense has given the offense plenty of great opportunities after forced turnovers. But, the fact remains: On a per-play basis, adjusting for several factors, the Chiefs defense ranks 11th. 

 

The Chiefs also rank as the 2nd best special teams. They have a reliable kicker, an amazing punter, and one of the most lethal return men the league has ever seen. Add it all up, and the Chiefs are 12th in offense, 11th in defense, 2nd in special teams.

• The Patriots are 3rd in offense, 20th in defense, 9th in special teams.
• The Cowboys are 2nd in offense, 21st in defense, 8th in special teams.
• The Falcons are 1st in offense, 27th in defense, 7th in special teams.
• The Giants are 20th in offense, 4th in defense, 19th in special teams. 
• The Lions are 13th in offense, 31st in defense, 4th in special teams.
• The Seahawks are 18th in offense, 6th in defense, 11th in special teams. 

Only the Steelers (9th offense, 9th defense, 15th special teams) have three units that rank in the top half of the league. The other teams in the league are flawed and have obvious holes. And they are not clearly better than the Chiefs. Arguably better? Maybe. Clearly better? No. 

 

Ryan Succop's game-winning field goal attempt went up in the air. It looked short at first, but then it looked like it might have enough, and then barely--just barely--it went over the cross bar. The Titans won, and the Chiefs lost. 

 

The Chiefs are, have been, and will be, a tough opponent for any team that plays them.

 

They'll give themselves a chance to get to the Super Bowl. 

[kcchief4lif 910]

And no matter what happens here on out it will not change the fact the chiefs will not have enough to out coach or out qb the steelers or patriots.

[azchief21 5,278]

How did the Titans get lucky late? They drove the ball down our throat scored a TD, took a chance on a 2 pointer to win, stuffed the Chiefs on a 3 and out then drove the ball down to win the game. In what about 3 minutes? That's luck? If they were lucky, were we just unlucky at the end?

[andysredflag 7]

How did the Titans get lucky late? They drove the ball down our throat scored a TD, took a chance on a 2 pointer to win, stuffed the Chiefs on a 3 and out then drove the ball down to win the game. In what about 3 minutes? That's luck? If they were lucky, were we just unlucky at the end?

 

The Titans deserve credit for winning, no doubt. But it requires a lot of luck to pull off that comeback. 

 

Throughout the entire 4th quarter, the Titans were never better than 3-to-1 odds to win in live betting, and were 8-to-1 long shots after failing the two-point conversion. To kick the ball off with 3:30 left, force a three-and-out, and then drive 40 yards down the field in 50 seconds against one of the league's better defenses takes luck. Takes skill too, don't get me wrong. But also luck. 

 

Ryan Succop kicked the field goal, and missed. But it didn't count. "Bad" decision by Andy (though almost nobody would have second-guessed had Succop's kick went in), but it was a lucky break for Succop, who then made the second kick moments later. 

 

In fact, when Succop merely lined up to kick the field goal -- after the touchdown drive to pull within 17-16, after the ensuing 3-and-out, after the 40-yard drive with no timeouts in less than a minute -- the Titans needed luck. Succup has attempted 207 field goals in his career. He's only ever made four from that distance. Ever. Prior to today, he had made 13 of 26 career field goals from 50+ yards. So, he's a coin flip kicker from that distance. But today's kick was from 53 yards, on the road, with the game on the line, in 0 degree weather, with an ice ball. He made the kick, and good for him.

 

But the Titans were lucky.

[jetlord 10,209]

The Chiefs are not a top three team.  Without DJ and JC, they are above average and a playoff wildcard type team.  Yeah, they could have and should have won after leading all game, but they've dominated no one, lost two home games to slightly above average teams, beat themselves twice at home with dropped passes and a couple of ill advised interceptions, and failed to score from the half yard line on two plays that would probably have put the game away early.  NE is better.  Dallas is better, Seattle is better, GB is better, the Giants are better, and I doubt the Chiefs could beat ATL or MIA if they played right now.  They may have trouble against DEN next weekend and OAK is playing better than the Chiefs.  West hasn't made plays all season.  Knile can't even make the roster.  They're down to their fourth and fifth ILB.  Mariota wasn't even pressured on most plays by the Chiefs vaunted trio of Houston, Hali, and Ford even though it was obvious the Titans had to throw.  The Chiefs have been overrated because they stole a few victories away from good teams, but they could just as easily be 7-7.  Now they have to win a game to even get a wild card.

[FANATIC 852]

The Chiefs are not a top three team.  Without DJ and JC, they are above average and a playoff wildcard type team.  Yeah, they could have and should have won after leading all game, but they've dominated no one, lost two home games to slightly above average teams, beat themselves twice at home with dropped passes and a couple of ill advised interceptions, and failed to score from the half yard line on two plays that would probably have put the game away early.  NE is better.  Dallas is better, Seattle is better, GB is better, the Giants are better, and I doubt the Chiefs could beat ATL or MIA if they played right now.  They may have trouble against DEN next weekend and OAK is playing better than the Chiefs.  West hasn't made plays all season.  Knile can't even make the roster.  They're down to their fourth and fifth ILB.  Mariota wasn't even pressured on most plays by the Chiefs vaunted trio of Houston, Hali, and Ford even though it was obvious the Titans had to throw.  The Chiefs have been overrated because they stole a few victories away from good teams, but they could just as easily be 7-7.  Now they have to win a game to even get a wild card.

EXACTLY

[andysredflag 7]

The Chiefs are not a top three team.  Without DJ and JC, they are above average and a playoff wildcard type team.  Yeah, they could have and should have won after leading all game, but they've dominated no one, lost two home games to slightly above average teams, beat themselves twice at home with dropped passes and a couple of ill advised interceptions, and failed to score from the half yard line on two plays that would probably have put the game away early.  NE is better.  Dallas is better, Seattle is better, GB is better, the Giants are better, and I doubt the Chiefs could beat ATL or MIA if they played right now.  They may have trouble against DEN next weekend and OAK is playing better than the Chiefs.  West hasn't made plays all season.  Knile can't even make the roster.  They're down to their fourth and fifth ILB.  Mariota wasn't even pressured on most plays by the Chiefs vaunted trio of Houston, Hali, and Ford even though it was obvious the Titans had to throw.  The Chiefs have been overrated because they stole a few victories away from good teams, but they could just as easily be 7-7.  Now they have to win a game to even get a wild card.

 

The Chiefs don't have to win a game to get a Wild Card. They clinch a playoff spot if the Steelers beat the Ravens Christmas afternoon.

 

All teams steal victories. The Raiders have been as fortunate as any team in the league, and the Chiefs whooped them in Oakland and beat them again at Arrowhead. I will grant you that the Chiefs were lucky (or fortunate) to beat the Chargers, Falcons, Panthers and Broncos. But they were fairly unlucky in losing to the Bucs and Titans. And though we'll never know, the Chiefs easily could have -- and arguably would have -- driven down the field to beat the Falcons if needed. And they could have, maybe would have, won in OT against the Panthers. 

 

On a neutral field, there aren't any teams in the league that I think would definitely beat the Chiefs. Some, like the Patriots, would undoubtedly be favored. But it wouldn't be by much more than a field goal. Keep in mind, the Patriots have won seven of their 12 games against the Jets, Browns, Rams, 49ers, Bengals, Bills and Cardinals. It hasn't been a torturous schedule, and they've proven to have more flaws this year than previous years.

 

I've heard plenty about how the Chiefs can't win with Andy & Alex. Since those two arrived, the Chiefs have won 41 games and have lost 21. 

 

Only three teams have fared better in the last four years:

 

Patriots 48 wins (won Super Bowl two years ago)

Broncos 45 wins (won Super Bowl last year)

Seahawks 44 wins (won Super Bowl three years ago)

 

Neither of them are perfect. I'd rather have Belichick and Brady than Andy and Alex. But it hasn't been that bad. It's actually been the best four-year stretch since the mid-90s. 

[liquidfriend 1,151]

Chiefs are on pace to sweep the AFC West and be a Wild Card team.

 

Let that sink in.

 

And if they slip anymore, they could end up playing their first playoff game at Pittsburgh.  A massacre.

[Calichief 3,016]

Chiefs are on pace to sweep the AFC West and be a Wild Card team.

 

Let that sink in.

If we play offense like this again, we won't win another game.

[andysredflag 7]

Chiefs are on pace to sweep the AFC West and be a Wild Card team.

 

Let that sink in.

 

The Raiders are 11-3. They're having a great season. It's not like the Chiefs are playing in the AFC South (division leader has 8 wins), the AFC North (9 wins), the NFC North (9 wins), the NFC South (9 wins) or the NFC West (9 wins). They have the misfortune of playing in the same division as another team that's racking up a ton of wins. It's the same misfortune that the Dolphins, Jets and Bills have felt for FIFTEEN years as they play for second place behind the Patriots; the same misfortune the Texans, Titans and Jaguars felt for 15 years as they competed for second place behind the Peyton Manning Colts. 

[liquidfriend 1,151]

It means they aren't taking care of business that they should be taking care of.  They are sweeping the toughest division in the NFL, but poop themselves to .500 squads.

[FANATIC 852]

The Raiders are 11-3. They're having a great season. It's not like the Chiefs are playing in the AFC South (division leader has 8 wins), the AFC North (9 wins), the NFC North (9 wins), the NFC South (9 wins) or the NFC West (9 wins). They've had the misfortune of playing in the same division as another team that's racking up a ton of wins. 

Division records do not tell the whole story. Depends on who you are playing in the other divisions. In my mind AFC West is nothing special. Chiefs 4-0 in the division. Oak very flawed. I do not see a really good team in the AFC West.

[andysredflag 7]

It means they aren't taking care of business that they should be taking care of.  They are sweeping the toughest division in the NFL, but poop themselves to .500 squads.

 

They've lost to:

 

Texans (8-6) on the road

Steelers (9-5) on the road

Bucs (8-5) at home 

Titans (8-6) at home

 

So, to recap, four losses to teams that are a combined 33-22 and are currently in first place or in a tie for first in their respective divisions. 

[andysredflag 7]

Division records do not tell the whole story. Depends on who you are playing in the other divisions. In my mind AFC West is nothing special. Chiefs 4-0 in the division. Oak very flawed. I do not see a really good team in the AFC West.

 

So, who is good? If you think the AFC West teams aren't really good, then you can't possibly think any team in the AFC South, NFC South or NFC North are really good. You might think the Seahawks are really good, and perhaps they are, but they've played a joke schedule in a horrible division. You probably think the Cowboys are really good, and I wouldn't disagree, but they're flawed at the QB position. You probably think the Patriots are really good, though I'd argue they're getting by on reputation. 

 

Is that the list?

 

In a league of 32 teams, only three are really good? 

[gochiefsgo 380]

Another 1 and done season. Chiefs will make the playoffs and beat someone and then blow it. So sick of this shit.

[kcchief4lif 910]

Another 1 and done season. Chiefs will make the playoffs and beat someone and then blow it. So sick of this shit.

Yep, if they happen to make round 2 they will not be able to hang.

[KCSLC2008 606]

They've lost to:

 

Texans (8-6) on the road: 7-7

Steelers (9-5) on the road: 8-6

Bucs (8-5) at home: 7-6

Titans (8-6) at home: 7-7

 

So, to recap, four losses to teams that are a combined 33-22 (29-26) and are currently in first place or in a tie for first in their respective divisions.

But it should be the above for some of them.

[liquidfriend 1,151]

They've lost to:

 

Texans (8-6) on the road

Steelers (9-5) on the road

Bucs (8-5) at home 

Titans (8-6) at home

 

So, to recap, four losses to teams that are a combined 33-22 and are currently in first place or in a tie for first in their respective divisions. 

Texans benched their starting QB today and barely squeaked it out against a 2 win team.  Record is inflated because AFC South is shit.

 

Steelers was the one true legitimate loss.  Their record would be higher is Landry Jones wasn't a tirefire.

 

Bucs are average as shit and the Chiefs should be embarrassed they lost.

 

Titans:  See above.

 

The Chiefs expectations were to be a Super Bowl squad.  Super Bowl squads don't lose games they should win.  There's no way to excuse it, or try to sugarcoat it.

[kcchief4lif 910]

The Chiefs expectations were to be a Super Bowl squad. Super Bowl squads don't lose games they should win. There's no way to excuse it, or try to sugarcoat it.

As cousin eddie would say. "BINGO"

[maryannbr2 0]

Novel devise

http://pattaya.girls.blogporn.in/?entry-janiya

lionel informatics plural meditation legacy

 

[KC Warpaint 3,235]

As cousin eddie would say. "BINGO"

 

 i like his other saying....Shitters full!

[Spfdchiefsfan 621]

I'm not sure wht is going on, it's like Reid goes in to a shell in the second half and hopes to hold on!

[DefensiveMan 758]

I'm not sure wht is going on, it's like Reid goes in to a shell in the second half and hopes to hold on!

 

Maybe he'll learn from this. 

[kcchief4lif 910]

Maybe he'll learn from this. 

Or not...

 

[qnet 1,150]

Another 1 and done season. Chiefs will make the playoffs and beat someone and then blow it. So sick of this shit.

 

Believe me, I understand your frustration but not your post entirely. The Chiefs just won a playoff game, that they hadn't in a long while, last season. One and done would be the norm, not beating someone and then blowing it.