Chiefs grades: Kansas City, fans deserve more
By Andrew Jones
Special Teams: C
Everyone was so excited that Tyreek Hill had taken over the kick return duties again. Then they saw him get plastered on the 10 yard line. The Steelers focused on stopping Hill before he got going and they accomplished their mission. Not once on Hill’s four returns did he get it past the 25 yard line. When a team relies so heavily on big plays from special teams it can be real deflating when they can’t do what they’ve been doing all year.
The punt game was solid and when Colquitt was able to pin the Steelers deep it allowed the defense to finally force a fourth down that resulted in their own punt. The kicking game and field goal game remained solid but a lack of opportunity keeps the grade low at a C.
Coaching: C-
Many will be calling for the head of Andy Reid after this game. That I don’t agree with. Reid didn’t have a good game but he didn’t have a bad one either. The plays were there and the players failed to make them. Dropped passes and penalties are rarely on the head coach but the players executing. Reid had some great things dialed up that just didn’t work out.
There were some puzzling moments to be sure. The decision to take two of his timeouts away when they could have helped give the Chiefs the ball back at the end. The defensive scheme lacked blitzing and relied to heavily on the front four to hold their gaps. Bob Sutton should have realized that his defensive line was not getting the push it needed and changed things up. Instead he kept most of his players back and let Bell have his way with the defense.
Andy Reid will likely get an extension this off season and I would say that he deserves it. More wins in his first four years that any other coach will do that for you. Chiefs fans have the coach and GM they need. They have built a solid roster and should continue to do so. The issue remains an elevating quarterback. Not a take what you get QB, but a takes what he wants QB.
“There’s always next year. I’m so tired of saying that,” a fan walking down the concourse remarked. We all are, friend. We all are.