After going to five Super Bowls in six years, the Kansas City Chiefs are at risk of missing the playoffs altogether this season. Kansas City’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys 31-28 on Thanksgiving Day dropped their record to 6-6 on the season. Their offense and defense still rank high in most statistical categories, and they still have Patrick Mahomes. So, what has changed? Let’s take a look.
Going into today’s loss, the Chiefs’ offense ranked seventh in points scored and fifth in yards. They are second in passing yards and first in time of possession. Patrick Mahomes has not been dominant, but his numbers are on pace to be similar to his last two seasons. The team ranks 14th in rushing, but that is considerably better than last year’s 22nd. Despite the rankings, the offense has definitely had some struggles this year. Going into Thursday’s game with the Cowboys, Kansas City was converting on seven percent fewer third downs than last season. It is tied for fourth in dropped passes, something that plagued the team last year, as well.
The Chiefs‘ defense ranks ninth in points allowed and sixth in total yards allowed. They are ninth in rushing yards allowed and 11th in passing yards allowed. Those numbers are fairly positive, but they can be a little misleading. The defense ranks 15th in rushing touchdowns allowed and 17th in rushing yards per attempt. Kansas City also isn’t getting much pressure on opposing quarterbacks. That has resulted in the team ranking 24th in sacks with 22. The lack of pressure has also put more pressure on their own secondary. The Chiefs rank 22nd in interceptions with just six.
While Kansas City’s offense and defense appear to be about where they usually are in the rankings, those peripheral stats can be telling. The most telling statistic, however, is the drastic change in the team’s record in one-score games. Last season, counting the playoffs, the Chiefs were 12-0 in one-score games. This season, they are 1-6. The team just isn’t clutch when it counts this season.
Part of that is the dropped passes. Part of that is their leading receiver, tight end Travis Kelce, being 36 years old. Part of that falls on the people calling the plays. Part of that is Kansas City taking longer to score this season. A major part of the problem, though, is that Mahomes’ biggest weapon, Rashee Rice, was suspended for the first six games. When he has been in the game, he has been a difference-maker. Not having him to start the season was a huge loss for an offense that needed his youthful energy and playmaking ability. His return has not saved them, though. They are the same 3-3 with him as they are without him.
Regardless of how you assign blame, this team should have a much better record. In the end, the only stat that really matters is your record, and by that metric, this Chiefs’ team is mediocre. If Coach Andy Reid cannot instill that closer’s mentality soon, that killer instinct that led the team to five Super Bowls, this team’s playoff aspirations are finished.
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