Chiefs head into BYE week with momentum

When the Kansas City Chiefs took the field against the Lions on Sunday morning it looked like it would be a long day on defense as the Lions quickly moved the ball down the field but were forced to kick a field goal. Kansas City’s offense returned the call of the Lions first score as they drove the length of the field for a rushing touchdown by De’Anthony Thomas on a jet sweep.

The defense then took a step forward and started getting pressure on Stafford. The defense was able to force two interceptions and helped their offense start with a short field on a day that it didn’t look like they would need to have a short field. The defense ended the game with six sacks and if it wasn’t for a late junk TD for the Lions would have only allowed less than 10 points. It didn’t matter on the day as the Chiefs offense were moving the ball well enough to put plenty of points on the board.

The most impressive part of the entire game to me was the ability of Smith to get out and get running. While he has pulled the ball down at the wrong times in the past his running ability opened up lanes later in the game. The Chiefs were able to have four different runners score rushing touchdowns with Thomas, Smith, West, and Spencer Ware as well as two passing touchdowns one to Kelce and another to Maclin.

The Chiefs were forced to use their fifth different lineup on the offensive line and it worked well. Eric Fisher has looked good as he’s stepped back into the starting lineup at left tackle and today Jeff Allen took the snaps at left guard for an injured Ben Grubbs. Jah Reid stepped in for Allen at right tackle and we now have seen how far Donald Stephenson has fallen in the eyes of the Chiefs coaches.

Headed into the bye week the Chiefs have momentum coming off two wins even if they were against the Steelers without Big Ben and against a struggling Lions team. When the Chiefs get back to the film room they will have a lot of things to take into the bye to be happy about. The offensive line is playing better, the defense is starting to find its rhythm and its aggression.

The Chiefs head into the bye a single game back of the Raiders and way behind the Broncos as Denver beat the previously unbeaten Packers. With the Broncos coming up after the bye the Chiefs will look to continue their momentum headed into the second half of the season with a weak schedule including only two current teams over .500.

When Kansas City comes back from the bye week they will more than likely have Grubbs back and the line could look much different as it was reported today that Joe Thomas and Alex Mack are available for trade. I don’t think there is a reason to go and get Alex Mack but I will say that I think it’s possible that KC could think it would be good to get Joe Thomas.

Thomas’ contract over the next couple of years only has a cap hit of 10 million per year for the next three seasons. While Fisher has been good the true upgrade could come in moving Fisher back to right tackle and putting Jeff Allen at right guard. If the Chiefs had a line of Thomas, Grubbs, Morse, Allen and Fisher to head into the second half of the season it could completely change the thought process of heading into the second half of the year.

Another big headline coming out of before the game was Clark Hunt coming out before the game and stating that regardless of how the Chiefs finish this year both Andy Reid and John Dorsey will be back in 2016. I really like the faith that Hunt is showing in both Dorsey and Reid. Even with the slide this year that the Chiefs had dropping five straight games they are set up well for the future and the end of this season could end them up over .500 if they get a couple of the bounces they have yet to get this year.

There are plenty of storylines headed into the bye week for the Chiefs. The Chiefs aren’t where they wanted to be headed into the bye but they have momentum. They will work to get healthy and they will enjoy the extra time off after the long trip to London and back within a four day stretch.

What do you think, Addicts? What is the biggest story line heading into the bye week?