KC Chiefs vs. Dallas Cowboys: Lessons learned from Week 11
By Matt Conner
Clyde Edwards-Helaire is back
After having him sit out the last several weeks due to an MCL sprain, it was clear the Kansas City Chiefs had missed their lead running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. That’s no slight to Darrel Williams and company, who did a strong job in his absence, but Edwards-Helaire brings a greater ceiling overall with his speed, hands, agility, and burst. The Chiefs clearly missed it as they went to him early and often in this game.
Edwards-Helaire began the afternoon as the key player on the first three plays of the game (two runs and a catch), making it clear he was going to be favored throughout. From his touchdown run early in the second quarter to catching all of his targets on the day, he’s going to be an important cog on this offense going forward.
That’s not to say Edwards-Helaire was overused by any means. In fact, Williams still had some opportunities as the Chiefs ease CEH back into the game plan (he hasn’t played since Week 5), but it was nice to have the Clyde Effects back at work for the Chiefs offense.
Killer instinct still missing
There was a mid-game stretch for the Chiefs in which the Dallas defense looked as if they had Patrick Mahomes and company completely figured out. There were five straight drives that featured nothing but punts and turnovers, which kept the Chiefs from putting away the Cowboys through the second and third quarters. It was frustrating for a Chiefs team that had Dallas on the ropes so early to be unable to put them away.
Even when they were finally able to score again, a drive late in the third quarter, the team only came away with three points because Harrison Butker converted a massive 53-yard attempt (that could have been good from far longer if needed).
It’s true that the referees did not help, and Dallas has talented defenders a la Micah Parsons who certainly deserve credit for how they were able to limit the Chiefs (especially in getting pressure on Mahomes). However, the Chiefs’ inability to make adjustments for so many drives with such a big lead is going to force the team to look at the film during the coming bye week and figure some things out. A killer instinct is needed for the postseason that currently isn’t there.