A tough Chiefs loss could propel the team heading into the postseason

Santos would redeem himself in the fourth quarter. He made a 27-yard field goal early in the quarter and later hit from 39 yards out to extend Kansas City’s lead to three possessions. Dontari Poe capped the Chiefs scoring for the night with the now-infamous touchdown pass to tight end Demetrius Harris. Reid was able to post nearly 500 yards of offense on one of the league’s top defensive units (484, officially). That’s a good sign and much-needed improvement heading into the final week of the regular season. If the Chiefs expect to make a run in the postseason, they’ll need more production from the offensive side of the football.

It should be noted that Sunday’s performance was a departure from the offensive strategy Reid took into the contest with the Titans. Tyreek Hill carried the ball six times for 95 yards. Travis Kelce had another career day with 11 receptions for 160 yards and an 80-yard touchdown. The team’s most explosive offensive players were at the fore and they proved to be difference makers in an offense that’s struggled for most of the month of December.

Nothing’s preferable to winning a game with playoff implications, but if something constructive can be taken from that missed opportunity, the Chiefs will take it. Kansas City’s defense has been in playoff form for most of the regular season. The emergence of cornerback Terrence Mitchell has helped stabilize Kansas City’s secondary. Justin March-Lillard’s expected return to the lineup could also bring balance to a run defense that’s been inconsistent since it lost Derrick Johnson. That said, if there were ever a time for this offense to establish an identity, it’s now.