Right here’s a abstract of this week’s feedback in regards to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs…
Don’t overreact about Kansas Metropolis’s first loss, which didn’t occur till nearly Thanksgiving; it felt prefer it was coming for the previous a number of weeks. The Chiefs got here all the way down to earth, dropping a uncommon two-possession sport at Buffalo. [That means] we’ve gone from speaking about an unbeaten season to immediately questioning if Kansas Metropolis will find yourself with a first-round bye within the playoffs. [But] now, the Chiefs know exactly what they will and can’t get away with. [For example]: Rashee Rice was off to an amazing begin to the season, main the NFL with 24 receptions and the second-most receiving yards (288) earlier than Week 4. [Now, however,] they acquired Xavier Worthy going towards the Payments. That will probably be huge down the road. [Since] Andy Reid wants 62 extra wins to go Don Shula and grow to be the NFL’s all-time winningest coach within the common season, they’ll simply shrug and preserve going. Three of the following 4 video games are towards groups a minimum of 4 video games beneath .500 — which ought to imply bonus tickets at Arrowhead in late January.
Right here’s this week’s sampling — a few of which can sound acquainted:
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If the Chiefs had received Sunday, they could have all however wrapped up the AFC’s No. 1 seed. Now that race is doubtful, with the Payments on their tails and the Steelers just a few lengths again (a Week 17 assembly in Pittsburgh looms). So we’ve gone from speaking about an unbeaten season to immediately questioning if Kansas Metropolis will find yourself with a first-round bye within the playoffs. We all know from historical past that solely issues a lot; for 2 of their three Tremendous Bowl wins through the Andy Reid period, the Chiefs weren’t the convention’s prime seed. Taking the lengthy, arduous highway to a 3rd straight Tremendous Bowl title continues to be a giant, huge ask, even for this legendary dynasty. Essentially the most tough half about Sunday’s defeat to Buffalo is that among the huge canines got here up brief. Patrick Mahomes threw two robust picks, Travis Kelce was held in test, DeAndre Hopkins was quiet and the vaunted protection didn’t carry out as much as its typical normal.
— Eric Edholm
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Preseason scorching seat: WR Rashee RiceCurrent temperature of scorching seat: Chilly
Rice was off to an amazing begin to the season, main the NFL with 24 receptions and the second-most receiving yards (288) earlier than Week 4. Then he injured his proper knee in an unintentional collision with Patrick Mahomes and had posterolateral nook surgical procedure in early October. The priority earlier than the season was Rice’s authorized troubles, which nonetheless haven’t been resolved. However he was essential because the Chiefs’ main receiver previous to his harm.
— Adam Teicher
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Head coach seat temperature test: Gold
That’s not a typo that ought to learn chilly. Andy Reid’s seat is a throne. The 66-year-old will depart Kansas Metropolis when he’s prepared and never earlier than. He’s beneath contract via the 2029 season, and that contract is value $100 million, in accordance with Sportico. Reid wants 62 extra wins to go Don Shula and grow to be the NFL’s all-time winningest coach within the common season. He must keep on a torrid tempo to get there by the top of this contract, however he’s on a torrid tempo now.
— Josh Kendall
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Now the Chiefs know exactly what they will and can’t get away with. The go rush wants to enhance. And go safety as effectively. Patrick Mahomes was beneath strain on practically 40% of his snaps regardless of the Payments speeding greater than 4 defenders on roughly 22% of Mahomes’s dropbacks. The Payments did a superb job, in my view, of layering strain and attacking Mahomes through the latter components of his drop when he’s usually capable of lengthen performs and permit vast receivers to interrupt open.
— Conor Orr
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They’ll simply shrug and preserve going.
— Mike Florio
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A lot for the undefeated season. At the very least they acquired Xavier Worthy going towards the Payments. That will probably be huge down the road.
— Pete Prisco
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Don’t overreact about Kansas Metropolis’s first loss, which didn’t occur till nearly Thanksgiving. The Chiefs misplaced a detailed sport on the highway after beginning the season 9-0. They’ve received back-to-back championships. The Payments acquired again within the race for the No. 1 playoff seed with a giant win Sunday, however the Chiefs nonetheless have the higher report and the lead in that race. Kansas Metropolis nonetheless deserves the No. 2 spot within the rankings for now. They’re not going anyplace.
— Frank Schwab
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The Chiefs got here all the way down to earth, dropping a uncommon two-possession sport at Buffalo. Mahomes performed effectively, however the protection had just a few extra lapses than anticipated. They’re nonetheless in charge of the AFC’s prime seed, and in the long run, getting the loss out of the best way may be factor for the playoffs.
— Vinnie Iyer
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“The undefeated factor was cool. However that’s not our final purpose.” Nicely mentioned, Mr. Mahomes. Dwelling-field benefit can also be cool, and three of the following 4 video games are towards groups a minimum of 4 video games beneath .500 – which ought to imply bonus tickets at Arrowhead in late January.
— Nate Davis
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The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs lastly misplaced, and it felt prefer it was coming for the previous a number of weeks. The offense has seemed good in spurts, however it hasn’t constantly scored 24+ factors.
In opposition to good groups, that’s what you should do. The Chiefs will probably be simply high-quality in the long term, and a loss like this might find yourself being factor for them. So don’t panic an excessive amount of right here.
— Marcus Mosher
