Chiefs’ First Game Is Critical

@KC MikeG Like most of it. 1) of course, 2) goes without saying 3) really big question mark, mostly because no one else is going this way, Haley's way. If he can turn it on in two weeks, why have OTAs and training camp, just show up 2 weeks before the first game show up, stretch your hammys, and strap on your helmet.

I'm confident that we will start the year with a W because 1) We play the bills, 2) It's OUR house! and most importantly 3) Haley has a plan to succeed by building momentum during the preseason so we hit the 1st game in high gear! Check out the article from Bleacher Report - GO CHIEFS! CHIEFS WILL 2011!! http://bleacherreport.com/articles/807331-nfl-preseason-haleys-unorthodox-approach-could-work-wonders-in-kansas-city

Excellent research. Great post. I don't think we've had a dominant type team since sometime in the 90s. Consequently, whenever we have lost that first game, it has been very difficult for our team to overcome. Psychological? Yes. Motivational? Yes. Self- fulfilling prophesy? Yes. All that and more. Now, though... even though our team is still very young... the veterans can lead this team through losses and a losing streak. I just hope we don't need to test that theory out this season. However, my prediction for the season is based upon... first-game-success. I'm so very much hoping we're money against the Bills! :o

Because of the situation, lockout etc, the teams that can adapt the quickest will have wins this ONE year. Dick Vermeil told media, those who buy into it will do better than those who fight it. Now which is Haley? He is the only coach who is using the preseason for conditioning and preseason game as a scrimage. What does it mean? Got me. We have a four game period mid season that is almost garanteed 4 losses, if we are not prepared to win with the first game.....well it could get ugly long before the 10th game. I, for one, will not jump with joy if this team takes a huge dive under the guise of "we are still rebuilding", no 10 wins last years means we are not a loser anymore. I expect this team to play football, not scrimage its way thru the beginning of real play.

No, I totally agree with you, which is one of the reasons I'm optimistic this season. It is the first time I can remember that I felt the scheduling Gods have been kind to the Chiefs in a while (last year in retrospect, but it didn't look quite that way going into the season). Getting beat at home by the Bills would set a VERY bad tone. A win is nothing extraordinary, but it would keep the momentum and the confidence going for the Chiefs. And confidence is EVERYTHING. And I loved the first play from scrimmage last year (deep to Bowe). I want that this year only to Baldwin. Set the tone!

@random255 True random, but if you look at the history, when we win the first game we have not had a losing season, (good or bad team).

We saw last season how important it is to get off to a fast start. The Bills always play the Chiefs tough but KC has got to take care of business. With the schedule they face, winnable games against teams like the Bills (at home) and the Lions have to be taken advantage of. If the Chiefs get through the first four weeks at 3-1 they will be in excellent shape. I think it is very possible.

It's always good to start off right, but the Chargers have made a habit of crap early seasons and strong finishes to win the division. They nearly did again last year, but we held them off! The thing that makes it tougher this season is that killer stretch we have late in the schedule. We HAVE to win the "more winnable" games, so your point does hold more weight this year than most, IMOP.

Well, the fact is that since 2000 we've just had a LOT of losing seasons. I'm concerned about that first week, because after we battle the Bills on the 11th, we follow up with the Lions. Then the Chargers. Then the VIkes. Those first four weeks are important. If we don't head out of week 4 with a 3-1 or better record, it's going to be rough because the games jump in difficulty pretty sharply in week 5 (and a bye week in 6 probably won't do us any favors).

I'm confident that we will start the year with a W because 1) We play the bills, 2) It's OUR house! and most importantly 3) Haley has a plan to succeed by building momentum during the preseason so we hit the 1st game in high gear! Check out the article from Bleacher Report - GO CHIEFS! CHIEFS WILL 2011!!

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/807331-nfl-preseason-haleys-unorthodox-approach-could-work-wonders-in-kansas-city

Excellent research. Great post. I don't think we've had a dominant type team since sometime in the 90s. Consequently, whenever we have lost that first game, it has been very difficult for our team to overcome. Psychological? Yes. Motivational? Yes. Self- fulfilling prophesy? Yes. All that and more. Now, though... even though our team is still very young... the veterans can lead this team through losses and a losing streak. I just hope we don't need to test that theory out this season. However, my prediction for the season is based upon... first-game-success. I'm so very much hoping we're money against the Bills! :o

Because of the situation, lockout etc, the teams that can adapt the quickest will have wins this ONE year. Dick Vermeil told media, those who buy into it will do better than those who fight it. Now which is Haley? He is the only coach who is using the preseason for conditioning and preseason game as a scrimage. What does it mean? Got me. We have a four game period mid season that is almost garanteed 4 losses, if we are not prepared to win with the first game.....well it could get ugly long before the 10th game. I, for one, will not jump with joy if this team takes a huge dive under the guise of "we are still rebuilding", no 10 wins last years means we are not a loser anymore. I expect this team to play football, not scrimage its way thru the beginning of real play.

No, I totally agree with you, which is one of the reasons I'm optimistic this season. It is the first time I can remember that I felt the scheduling Gods have been kind to the Chiefs in a while (last year in retrospect, but it didn't look quite that way going into the season).

Getting beat at home by the Bills would set a VERY bad tone. A win is nothing extraordinary, but it would keep the momentum and the confidence going for the Chiefs. And confidence is EVERYTHING.

And I loved the first play from scrimmage last year (deep to Bowe). I want that this year only to Baldwin. Set the tone!

We saw last season how important it is to get off to a fast start.

The Bills always play the Chiefs tough but KC has got to take care of business. With the schedule they face, winnable games against teams like the Bills (at home) and the Lions have to be taken advantage of.

If the Chiefs get through the first four weeks at 3-1 they will be in excellent shape. I think it is very possible.

It's always good to start off right, but the Chargers have made a habit of crap early seasons and strong finishes to win the division. They nearly did again last year, but we held them off!

The thing that makes it tougher this season is that killer stretch we have late in the schedule. We HAVE to win the "more winnable" games, so your point does hold more weight this year than most, IMOP.

Well, the fact is that since 2000 we've just had a LOT of losing seasons. I'm concerned about that first week, because after we battle the Bills on the 11th, we follow up with the Lions. Then the Chargers. Then the VIkes.

Those first four weeks are important. If we don't head out of week 4 with a 3-1 or better record, it's going to be rough because the games jump in difficulty pretty sharply in week 5 (and a bye week in 6 probably won't do us any favors).