Can the Chiefs bounce back…again?

It seems to be a trend for the Kansas City Chiefs in the last two weeks. Primetime game, primetime breakdown, primetime loss.

The Chiefs are coming off a horrid display on both sides of the ball to the Green Bay Packers. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers put on a virtual, “This is how you become an elite player,”against a woefully outmatched Kansas City Squad.

With two consecutive bad losses for the Chiefs, who are sitting at 1-2 on the season and two games back of the AFC West-leading Denver Broncos, can this team regroup and get back to their winning ways? It would seem, at least according to fair weather fans, that this year is a bust, Alex Smith is a terrible quarterback, and Andy Reid can’t coach a team.

Is this the case? Is Smith awful and Reid a terrible coach? There is a simple answer; no. Bad games, played by good players and coached by good head coaches, will occasionally happen. Does anyone remember how everyone played the New England Patriots dead in the water after their embarrassing loss to Kansas City? Well they turned it around and won the biggest prize in the NFL.

Am I saying the Chiefs are the Patriots? Not exactly. But I am saying teams can look dead and then turn around their season. This team has all the pieces to come back together.

Sep 17, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid watches play against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

It all starts at the top. Reid has been highly criticized by the media for his questionable play calling in their two losses. His refusal to draw up plays that push the ball down the field, or use his keys players, is downright baffling. This is not the type of coaching and play-calling that Chiefs Kingdom is used to seeing. If the team wants to turn what is shaping up to be a terrible season, Reid needs to start coaching better.

The next step has to come with Smith. However, a lot of the fault does not lie on him, but with an offensive line that is falling apart. Smith has been sacked 13 times in three games. Constant pressure and breaking down of the protection has led to him running around and using short passes that don’t convert third downs. Giving Smith better protection will allow for him look down the field for his playmakers like wide receiver Jeremy Maclin.

The pass defense also needs to improve. Both Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers took advantage of the inexperienced, or in some cases disappointing, cornerback play. However, the return of Sean Smith from a suspension will make a great difference. Kansas City, unfortunately, lost Phillip Gaines for the season with a torn ACL suffered during the Packers game. Still, this secondary is immediately better with Smith in the lineup.

The Chiefs are a good football team, and their current record does not reflect their level of talent. This season will turn around and they will bounce back because Reid and company will not continue this downward trend.

There you have it, Addicts. Do you think they can bounce back from these losses, or are they doomed for the rest of 2015? Let us know in the comments.

Thanks for reading.

GO CHIEFS!