Coffee with the Chiefs – Super Bowl contenders?

Good morning, Addicts! The Kansas City Chiefs are hoping to have some better health on Thursday, after five players missed practice on Wednesday. The Chiefs were without linebackers Tamba Hali and Justin Houston, safety Husain Abdullah, tackle Jah Reid and returner De’Anthony Thomas.

Kansas City is aiming to win its 10th straight game on Sunday against the Oakland Raiders, this time facing its longtime foe at Arrowhead Stadium. On Wednesday, head coach Andy Reid did mention that he would be playing to win the game, playing his starters. There had been some question as to Reid’s strategy after the Chiefs clinched a playoff spot on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.

Here’s the news you need to know…

Chiefs looking like legitimate Super Bowl contenders – Bucky Brooks of NFL.com

"As I dug into the All-22 Coaches Film, I was impressed with how Reid and offensive coordinator Doug Pederson have featured Smith’s favorite routes prominently in the game plan. Smith is absolutely torching opponents down the seams; the coaching staff has done a great job of dictating the terms to the defense to create big-play opportunities. This is particularly apparent in the red zone, where the Chiefs are wearing opponents out with various seams and skinny posts against single-high coverage (Cover 1 or Cover 3) or blitz pressure."

Andy Reid says Chiefs will try to win Sunday – Adam Teicher of ESPN

"For how long is another matter. The situation is complicated because the Chiefs can still win the AFC West championship. Failing that, the Chiefs could finish as the AFC’s first or second wild-card playoff entrant, the difference being a first-round game at Houston or at either Denver or Cincinnati."

Reid better off having come to Kansas City – Adam Teicher of ESPN

"Nothing good could come from comments any more expansive than that, so it’s difficult to blame Reid if he did not say what he was really thinking. What he was probably thinking: I’m glad I’m not in Philly anymore."