At 9-2 and as the AFC’s top seed, the amazing thing is that fans have yet to see the Kansas City Chiefs play at their highest level
Wow. What a wildly fun ride it has been up to this point in the season for the Kansas City Chiefs.
In a year that many expected to fall short of last season’s results, it now appears that the Chiefs may be primed for a Super Bowl run. With electric playmakers and an elite level quarterback, it has definitely been entertaining football to watch.
That being said, I don’t believe we have seen the Chiefs play at their highest level. Here’s what could still be improved to propel the Chiefs to a Super Bowl.
Does defense win championships?
I will say this: I did not expect the defense to improve as much as it has over the last several weeks. Now, in order to be at their best, the Chiefs will need their inside linebackers and safeties play at their highest level, which I don’t believe we have seen. With the likes of Anthony Hitchens and rotation of Reggie Ragland and Dorian O’Daniel, the middle of the field should be very well balanced against anything that offenses throw at them. With the defense beginning to show a resurgence, I expect Hitchens to begin to play his best football of the season. As O’Daniel gets more snaps, I expect the defense to get even better.
The Chiefs offensive playmakers
Whether it be Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, or Sammy Watkins, the Chiefs have been one of the NFL’s most exciting offenses to watch; However, it has been rare that all three players have been on the field at full health, at the same time. Hill has been hobbled from time to time. Watkins has been and still is banged up. The last time they all shared the field and played at their best, the offense had not taken its full shape. Now, in a late-season push, if the Chiefs’ playmakers can get healthy, it will propel the offense even higher.
Eric Berry
Ron Parker. Daniel Sorensen. Jordan Lucas. Josh Shaw. Eric Murray. Thank God for Eric Berry’s return. Berry playing at 25% capacity is better than anyone else on this team playing at 125% capacity. I don’t think it can be overstated how important Berry’s return will be to the Chiefs. On deep passes and playmaking on passes underneath, Berry is unmatched in his ability to single-handedly slow down offensive playmakers. If Berry can get anywhere close to his best, the defense’s ability skyrockets immediately.
The offensive line
When Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and Mitch Morse went down with an injuries, I have to admit, I was very nervous about the offensive line. However, the depth has been very good for the most part. Now, with one and potentially, both players returning this season, the Chiefs may get even more of a lift on offense than some have bargained for.
A complete game
The Chiefs have won a lot of games, but have yet to look completely dominant all the way through a single game. I believe that we will see this at some point this season and I pity the team that has to be the opponent. With a talented pass rush and dominant offense, it seems likely that it could be the Raiders that fall victim to the wrath of the Chiefs.
If we see any improvement on any of these things, the Chiefs are going to go to the Superbowl. I can’t imagine that there is any way that the Chiefs get beat if their defense is even a tick better. All signs point to their defense taking a major leap in the upcoming weeks. The Chiefs have not played their best football yet and that is both fun and terrifying, depending on what side you look at.