Lookin' To Get Lucky At The Halfway Inn

I calculated the collective record of the teams we’ve faced so far this season the other day, and after subtracting games played against the Chiefs, determined it to be 34-23.  Put differently, through the first half of the season, the Chiefs “average” opponent has been a playoff team (and at least a couple of pretty damn good ones at that). Considering whom the Chiefs have faced, who they are in terms of youth/inexperience and what is reasonable to expect in terms of where they are in the rebuilding process, a 1-7 record does not, all factors considered, seem all that surprising. Sure, another win or two along the way would have been nice, but come on. Take away bad calls and bad luck along the way and we could just as easily be 3-5, i.e., one game out of first place.

I next calculated the collective record of the teams we have yet to face, excluding divisional opponents, to be 14-19 (30-39 all opponents). In other words, the “average” non-divisional opponent (or combined if you like), for our remaining 8 games could be characterized as non-contending. Denver, struggling atop the division at 4-4, by contrast faces non-divisional opponents with a collective record of 24-16 (30-34 all opponents) with all but one those non-divisional games being played on the road. San Diego, a shocking 3-5, faces non-divisional opponents with a collective record of 20-12 (28-36 all opponents) which involves away games with Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay and home games against Indy and Atlanta.

In case anybody was wondering or even cares, I purposely choose to ignore that “other” team because they and their disgusting fans are such a repulsive blight upon our division.

Anyway, to move on, I have seen signs of improvement and consistency over the last couple of games thanks in no small part to the surprisingly effective play and leadership of none other than one previously much-derided, former 3^rd string QB Tyler Thigpen. Further, despite two consecutive, disappointing losses, there have nonetheless been signs of progress on both offense and defense. Among other things, we’re moving the ball better, blocking better, involving more playmakers on offensive, introducing more aggressive/creative play calling, improving against the run, creating more turnovers, and making field goals.

On the flipside, our coverage teams continue to significantly undermine the progress being made in other areas by keeping opponents’ hopes alive via generous field position opportunities and points allowed. The ongoing inability to apply pressure to opposing quarterbacks, injuries and off-the-field distractions at RB, injuries and the resulting drop-off in talent in the secondary, injuries along with continued weak play at LB, and injury to our pro-bowl caliber punter all stand as significant impediments to whatever hopes we might have for continued improvement.

To sum this all up . . .

The Chiefs have the easiest remaining schedule of teams that matter in our division. Our struggling divisional rivals now face the toughest part of their schedules. Amazingly enough, even at 1-7, the Chiefs have reason and hope to continue the fight and they appear to be making steady progress at a time when it can still benefit them. Injuries and other factors will require that the entire squad play above their abilities. If they can manage a couple of non-divisional wins (entirely doable), and take care of business within the division (as doable as ever), the Chiefs still have a pretty decent shot at making this one of the most entertaining, if not wildest, seasons we Chiefs fans have ever witnessed.

Crazy, I know. Next stop, San Diego.  Si, se puede.  Cheers!

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