The Kansas City Chiefs are their own worst enemy
The Kansas City Chiefs lost their fourth game in the last six weeks on Sunday and once again they have no one to blame but themselves.
The Kansas City Chiefs were clearly the most talented team on the field on Sunday, but that didn’t stop them from once again finding a way to lose as they fell to the Tennessee Titans by a final score of 35-32. It was the Chiefs fourth loss in the last six games, and I would argue that in three of those four losses, K.C. was the more talented team. They simply couldn’t get out of their own way.
As I thought about the game and how the Chiefs seem to be their own worst enemy, the ’90s song “My Own Worst Enemy” by Lit came into my head. If you aren’t familiar with it, you can listen to it HERE. Regardless of whether you know (or even like) the song, some of the lyrics seem appropriate for this team.
“It’s no surprise to me I am my own worst enemy
Cause every now and then I kick the living s— out of me”
Maybe not the most poetic lyrics, but it sounds like something our beloved Chiefs could sing about themselves, doesn’t it?
The game certainly left me singing:
“Please TELL me. Please tell me why-y-y-y-y … we’re losing to the Titans and I’m … watching such bad run D … special teams have gone out the window … and now.this game’s … gone”
Cue the guitar! [Ba da dat dat dat dat dat dat dat, ba da dat dat dat dat BAH DAH]
Look, at this point you either have to laugh about it or break things and I’m trying my hardest to go with the first option.
Frankly, I still can’t really wrap my head around how the Chiefs lost that game. Patrick Mahomes threw for 446 yards and 3 touchdowns in his first game back from a dislocated knee. Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce combined for 18 receptions, 232 yards, and 2 touchdowns. They had nearly 100 yards rushing. They outgained the Titans by about 160 yards. They had 4 sacks and countless other pressures. They won the time of possession by over 15 minutes.
The fact that the Chiefs found a way to lose this game despite all those factors is almost impressive. I’d use that Will Ferrell GIF “I’m not even mad, that’s amazing” but frankly I am mad. It’s ridiculous. Derrick Henry is a great running back, but I’m not sure I can think of another player on the Titans roster that was impressive in that game. Credit to Ryan Tannehill, he made a couple of nice throws (and runs), but all in all, the Chiefs lost that game.
I heard some people complaining that the defender that blocked the potential game tying field goal was offsides, but it was so close that I’m not blaming that loss on that not being called. The game should have been well out of reach long before that field goal attempt. This loss was 100% on the Chiefs and there is a long laundry list of reasons why.
The tackling went back to being total garbage (I’m looking at you, Juan Thornhill) and that was the biggest reason Henry went bananas in the second half. Plus, the Chiefs let Ryan Tannehill truck stick defenders twice on key plays in this game. Ryan. Tannehill.
The penalties were a massive problem in the first half and even took a touchdown off the board.
The special teams are trash. Just total garbage. They’re good defending returns but that’s it. Mecole Hardman has to be off return duties. He’s fair catching balls inside the five, can’t get his gloves on in time to catch the punt, plus he looks like he’s going to fumble every time he’s touched. The field goal unit was a total train wreck with a botched snap, blocked field goal, and missed extra point. At this point Dave Toub looks closer to the unemployment line than a head coaching gig.
While the Chiefs did put up 32 points, Mahomes missed a couple of easy throws and there were also WAY too many receiver drops on passes that were right on the money.
The play calling by Andy Reid was fantastic early on with the sort of creative calls that helped them get by while Mahomes was out. Then with the game on the line and the team just a first down away from running out the clock, it completely went away.
Don’t even get me started on the timeout before the two-point conversion when you’re about to try and drive down to win the game with 30 seconds to go. What in the world? What is going on with this team?
Seriously, please TELL me, please tell me why-y-y-y-y any of that garbage is remotely acceptable on a team that is suppose to be trying to win a Super Bowl?!
I’m not even sure at whom to direct my anger. On one hand, when a more talented team gets beat with countless mental mistakes, my gut reaction is to blame Andy Reid and his coaching staff for not having them focused and ready to compete. But is it really fair to blame Steve Spagnuolo for guys getting run over by Ryan Tannehill? Ryan. Tannehill.
Is it Andy Reid’s fault that Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins dropped multiple passes that hit them right in the hands? The players can’t be off the hook for this either. Blame belongs on all parties. Players. Coaches. Offense. Defense. Special Teams. Every single one of them deserves to have their noses rubbed in that stink just like a puppy that just pooped on the carpet.
“Bad Chiefs! No no! Bad football team! We don’t do that! Bad Chiefs!”
Jalon Dodson wrote after the game that the Chiefs need to keep playing like they did when Mahomes was out with an injury and he may be onto something. It seemed like when Mahomes was out, everyone ratcheted their intensity and focus level up because they had no room for error with him out. Why isn’t that happening every week? The second Mahomes is back and throwing for 400-plus yards, we’re right back to sloppy tackling, penalties, dropped passes, and putrid special teams play? That’s a mentally weak football team. Period.
The Chiefs team that beat the Minnesota Vikings last week should be a Super Bowl favorite when you add Patrick Mahomes to them. Instead, they’ve lost the last three games that Patrick Mahomes was the primary quarterback in. Think about that for a second.
Hey Chiefs, please TELL me, please tell me why-y-y-y-y that’s the case?
Actually, don’t bother answering that. I know it already. You’re a mentally weak team. You’ve got Super Bowl talent but Cleveland Browns-esque consistency and mental focus. Until you get your heads screwed on right this is going to continue to happen.
It’s no surprise to me you are your own worst enemy.
Cause every now and then you kick the living……
Well, you know the rest.