Kansas City Chiefs: 5 keys to get back on track on Monday Night Football

Stop Turning the Ball Over

This one is pretty simple but has been KC’s biggest problem so far this season. Their seemingly never-ending string of turnovers has caused them to lose confidence and in the case of both the Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers games, to lose the actual games.

I feel like this third point should be much easier to achieve if they do the first two on this list. If the Chiefs can get in a rhythm with a short passing attack and consistently run the ball between the tackles I think it takes a lot of the pressure off of them and reduces the risk of them forcing something that could lead to a turnover.

Now, that having been said, there is more to not turning it over than that, but it’s a good place to start. The Chiefs also need to have an offense-wide focus on taking care of the ball. Ball carriers need to be actively protecting the ball when they are running with it. They know the opposing defense is going to be looking to punch the ball out in hopes of creating a turnover and sending the Chiefs into a spiral again.

The receivers also really need to focus on securing the ball and not allowing it to pop up into the air off their hands. A lot of Mahomes interceptions this season really haven’t been his fault. That doesn’t mean that he doesn’t start feeling the pressure after they happen. So far this season turnovers seem to up the frustration level for the offense which then leads to them pressing more.

Finally, Mahomes himself needs to stay calm and take what the defense gives him. Again, if they do the first two keys on this list that should help him, but in general, he needs to play with the mindset that it’s okay for a play not to work. Yes, you always want to gain positive yards and pick up first downs, but a throwaway or even a punt is better than a turnover. This Giants defense isn’t good enough to stop the Chiefs every drive so be patient and trust that eventually KC’s talent will get them in the endzone if they don’t get in their own way.

Now let’s talk about the defense.