The Chiefs' Path to a Strong Finish

The Kansas City Chiefs are in a tough spot right now. They have a 5-5 record, which puts them ninth in the AFC. But don't count them out just yet. Their remaining opponents have a combined record of 36-35-1. That's pretty even. Three of these teams are currently in the playoff field, and three have a winning record. So, it's not going to be easy. The Chiefs have some tough games ahead, but they also have some advantages. Their toughest opponents, like the Colts, Chargers, and Broncos, will be playing at home. That's a big deal. Plus, they get to play the Texans at Arrowhead. Home field advantage can make a big difference. Right now, the Chiefs have a 52% chance of making the playoffs. But if they lose their next game against the Indianapolis Colts, those odds drop to less than 33%. So, this Sunday's game is crucial. The Chiefs have a lot going for them. They have one of the best coach-quarterback combos in the NFL. Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes have taken the team to five of the last six Super Bowls. Even though they've had a rough start this season, they're still in the running. Their schedule down the stretch is pretty soft, which could work in their favor. But there are also reasons to be worried. The Chiefs are 5-5 after a tough loss to the Broncos. They're four games behind first place with seven games left. That's a big gap to close. Despite all this, the Chiefs are still a contender. They have the third-best scoring margin in the conference. They're also in the top 10 for both scoring offense and defense. Sure, they've had some bad luck, but don't be surprised if they finish the season strong. They could easily go 6-1 or even 7-0 in their remaining games. The Chiefs' offense has been struggling. One of the main reasons is their lack of an explosive run game. Another big factor is Travis Kelce's decreased role. Kelce is one of the best tight ends in the league, but he's not as involved as he used to be. This could be a problem for the Chiefs moving forward. The Chiefs might consider drafting a tight end in the first round to replace Kelce eventually. Kenyon Sadiq from Oregon is a good option. He's 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, and he's shown he can shake coverage and pick up yards after the catch. He might not be a first-round pick, but he's worth keeping an eye on. The Chiefs' deep passing game hasn't been working. In their last game, they called three straight deep passes on their opening drive. All three were incomplete, and they had to punt after just four plays. That's not a good start. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes attempted 10 deep passes in that game. Only one was completed. Another was intercepted, which led to Denver's first touchdown. Two more drew pass interference penalties, but that's not a reliable way to move the ball. Mahomes' passer rating on these throws was a horrifying 12. 9. If you take those throws out, his rating would have been much better. And the Chiefs might have won the game.