The Chiefs continue to press toward the playoffs

Dec 6, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) celebrates after a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Oakland Raiders 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

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There’s something to be said about Kansas City’s resilience in their past few victories. I don’t think that last year’s Chiefs team nor many of the one’s before that would have won these past two games against the Buffalo Bills and Oakland Raiders. For the longest time, Kansas City has lacked the combination of maturity and heart to push itself back into hard-fought games.

This is a characteristic (maturity) that adds a ton of value when pushing for a playoff spot and advancing in the playoffs should they get in. There are teams we’ve seen portray these traits of just having a relentless attitude of refusing to lose. Take for instance the Seattle Seahawks in last year’s playoff matchup with the Green Bay Packers.

The Sehawaks turned it over five times (four interceptions and a fumble) and still found a way to win late in the game. When you look at last Sunday’s game over the Raiders, both teams we’re almost identical in yardage and ball control for the most part. The main difference before the fourth quarter was the Chiefs turned the ball over twice on lost fumbles (Maclin and Kelce) and the Raiders did not.

These kinds of things can shift momentum to an opposing team especially at their stadium but Kansas City battled to stay in the game and was rewarded with three interceptions in the fourth quarter that would allow it to take the lead and win 34-20.  That’s what good teams do and that’s why you always hear these cliché phrases describing good teams like “you can’t ever count them out of it” or “you don’t want to let them hang around.” The Chiefs are now that team.

Last year in a similar game where the Chiefs were once again contending for a playoff spot ran into trouble in Oakland, much like last Sunday. They couldn’t seem get going and in my view ended up losing heart which resulted in a bad road loss that sent the season spiraling down the plunger.

These Chiefs have learned. They’ve been there, done that, and don’t want to do it again. You have to imagine that it’s taken a lot of effort to climb out of the gaping hole they started with in their first six games. While I don’t think there’s any way this team would fall apart and make it a wasted effort, I still can’t help but try to keep my composure and try not to get too excited. There is still a quarter of football left and every team will be trying to play spoiler.

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