Surviving the kitchen sink approach and other Chiefs takeaways from Week 9
By Matt Conner
Yet Another Comeback
It feels like we’re slowly learning.
If you’ve been a member of Chiefs Kingdom for long, then you know how easy it is to slip into some despair mode at the first sign of issues. An opposing running back pulls off consecutive first downs and you start asking if Bob Sutton is back at the defensive helm. The Chiefs fail to gain the yards required for a first down and you scream at Andy Reid. A team gets ahead by a score or—gasp!—even two and you’re ready to throw in the towel… in the first half.
It was that way for years. But times have also changed.
These days, if you’re anything like me, you’re less prone to despondent takes and more likely to believe the Chiefs will truly, actually win. This roster brimming with talent, these coaches adjusting as they go, this organization built on stability—it’s all part of turning this franchise into a consistent winner, one that only goes down when they play poorly, the opposition plays perfectly, and the planets align for just enough luck.
On Sunday, the Panthers looked ready for the challenge as they jumped out to a 14-point lead. Meanwhile, the Chiefs were relying on Harrison Butker to kick field goals as Christian McCaffrey led the Panthers offense to a solid showing at Arrowhead. But just like so many games before, the Chiefs were not going to be denied.
What’s so amazing about this Chiefs team—and likely Patrick Mahomes in particular—is that it typically only takes a single quarter of exceptional football for K.C. to put another team away. They will flounder for a spell and let the other team believe they are executing the game plan needed to beat them only to turn on the proverbial jets and fly right past them when it matters most.
The Panthers were heard saying the Chiefs defense couldn’t stop them early and, at times, that was true. But at some point, the screws were tightened and both sides showed up long enough for the momentum to swing the other way. By the end, the Panthers were so desperate that they required onside attempts, crazy heroics by Bridgewater, sloppy penalties by the Chiefs and a 67-yard field goal attempt for a chance to win. These Chiefs don’t lose.