Back To Basics: How the Chiefs can turn things around

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
For the 2013 Kansas City Chiefs, things have gone from bad to worse, as the team finds themselves on a three game losing streak. The streak is a huge change from the 9-0 they started the season with, but even as things have not gone the Chiefs way they need to stop, take a breath, and do the following:

Get Back to Basics.

Why were the 9-0 Chiefs able to play with such conviction and win the first nine games of the season. One could point out the fact they simply outscored the opposition, and kept them out of the end zone. But there is a lot more to the streak than that.

The Chiefs came out with passion, coupled with basic fundamentals of football. The first key to winning those games was to take out the Quarterback. By pressuring the quarterback they were able to throw off the timing which in turn led to sacks, yards lost, and turnovers.

John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports If the hurt Chiefs defense wants to regain the former glory, they need to return to the aggressive front they had during the nine game winning streak. Yes Justin Houston is hurt, and Tamba Hali is not a full strength and Mike DeVito is out, but the roster is deep and has the talent to step it up. The pieces are all there, they just need to start clicking again.

The second key was to play mistake free football. Most Chiefs fans were excited that the team went out and got a reliable quarterback who is smart and plays it safe.

Denny Medley-USA TODAY SportsAlex Smith is more than he was advertised to be, and despite the losses that occurred Smith has shown he is more that “Captain Check-Down” and has the ability to air it out, just need the receivers to step up and catch them. For the Chiefs to return to their winning ways, Smith needs only to keep improving and develop some great chemistry with his receivers.

Give the ball to running back Jamaal Charles.

Denny Medley-USA TODAY SportsCharles is having a career year. He is breaking his own personal records, and for good reason. He is the best offensive weapon on the field next to Smith, and he needs to get the ball more. There are times when the running game seems to be abandoned in favor of passing the ball, which is fine when it is needed, but by sticking to what makes this offense click, the run game and Charles needs to be fed the rock, and often.

In conclusion the Chiefs have all the tools to finish the way they started. They simply need to to;

1. Get back to what made this defense scary
2. Continue to play mistake free football, and air it out on occasion.
3. Give the ball to Charles and let him work the field.

For the Chiefs returning to the above will greatly improve the rest of the season, and this team can go into the 2013 playoffs with their heads held high ready to get the first playoff win in over a decade.

What do you think Addicts? What do the Chiefs need to do as a team in order to bring back the winning ways?

Sound off below.