Chiefs Things I Think – keys to the season

10 –

Chris Conley is under-utilized, particularly it he red zone. I have been talking about Conley all year. What else does he have to do Andy? He has grown light years form his rookie season, led the team in receptions in game and made tough catches over and over. When the team gets in the red zone, especially inside the 10-yard line, he has to get looks. He has the physical mismatch to successfully run the slant, fade and back-of-the-end-zone crosser to score. Just throw it tot he crossbar and let lonely go get it!

9 –

Kansas City has to win the collision battle starting now. Collisions are the name of the game. Hit the other team’s quarterback and don’t let yours get hit. Sacks or QB hits both qualify. Unfortunately, the first quarter was an utter failure in the department for the Chiefs and their coaching staff. over the first four games, Alex smith was sacked or hit 39 times, nearly twice as much as the opposing quarterbacks at just 20.

8 –

Attacking the middle of the field is imperative for this team. Albert Wilson had some success last time out. Tyreek Hill and Chris Conley have both made plays out of the slot. Reid has get back to calling the downfield variety of routes for these three players. Dig route if one, but slows momentum. He needs to get the intermediate crossers going again. He needs to attack with a post route ever drive. At this point, I would pay good money to see Hill run an ankle-breaking Sluggo route against the speed deprived Raiders.

7 –

This team needs its swag back on both sides of the ball. Attitude is everything for a defense. Being asked to give up pass after pass in a soft zone coverage is deflating. The Offensive line has shown they can run block better than pass block. Let them do it. Let them grind down the defenses they face. It helps the clock, the play action passing and the defense. Let the big dogs lead the way.

Related Story: Check out AFC Power Rankings podcast here

6 –

Travis Kelce is fun and a little goofy, but it’s not funny how wasted Kelce’s talent was used over the first two weeks. Reid has gotten wrapped up, once again, in intricate play design and lost site of the elite advantage he has at tight end. Kelce is 6th in the NFL in receptions, yet on 41st in yards per reception. Reid has a short (yardage) leash on his best weekly mismatch. Reid has to attack with passes to Kelce in the 15-20 yard range until defenses show they can stop him. Its just that simple. Few will be able to.