Chefs, Again

On Halloween, Kansas City was excited the KC Chiefs appeared to be play off bound.  With a 5-2 records and full 2+ game lead in the division they looked at an easy schedule that appeared to have at least 5 more wins in it.  It was too easy to forget that Buffalo had taken the Chiefs to overtime and did not look like a winless team in the process.

Then came the hated Raiders.  Despite Oakland coaching blunders that handed the Chiefs a 10-0 halftime lead, the Chiefs handed the game back to the Raiders in the second half.  Any team that believes they are playoff caliber must win games when handed a lead.  The loss was the first sign that KC wasn't going anywhere in the post season.

Then comes the debacle in Denver.  The Donkeys are a horrible team.  The only things they had going for them were 2 weeks to prepare and playing at home.  Still, KC looked to be a better team.  The Broncos can't run the ball - the KC defense has played pretty well most of the season.  The Broncos can't stop the run - KC runs the ball well.  This should be a win, right?

Denver torches the KC defense and runs out to a 21-0 first quarter lead.  At that point I had seen everything I could bear and switched to the NASCAR race.  This saved me from 2 more quarters of ineptness and disappointment.  After the race I switch back to see the Cheifs are once again the Chefs and losing 42-10.  The final score was 49-29, but it wasn't that close.  The game was more like a 70-10 scorching.  My consolation was the NASCAR race was excellent and I saw most of it.  I was also glad that I was back  in time to see our classless head coach refuse to shake Josh McDaniel's hand after the game. 

Now the Chefs are 5-4 and tied for the AFC West lead with Oakland.  I am still feeling pretty good about my 8-8 forecast record.  They need 3 more wins and should get them in their weak schedule of remaining games.  But it is nowhere near certain.  The past 2 weeks has exposed the Chefs weaknesses.  Teams know they can stop the Chefs running game and won't be penalized by long pass plays.  They also know now this team is beaten up on defense.  The secondary is in shambles.  Any quarterback from Pop Warner league on up should be able to throw for 300 yards a game.

In two weeks, the Chiefs have gone from apparent playoff favorite to a struggling team trying to maintain a .500 record.  By Thanksgiving, they may be essentially out of the playoff picture.  This is the Chefs team I have come to know.  Things are once again right with our universe.