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Five keys for the KC Chiefs to keep the AFC’s top seed

By Lyle Graversen

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 16: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on December 16, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 16: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on December 16, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 03: Darrel Williams #31 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 3, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 03: Darrel Williams #31 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 3, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

3. Utilize The Running Backs

At this point, we all know that the drop-off in receiving talent for the Chiefs after Tyreek Hill is pretty steep. Yes, guys like Mecole Hardman and Byron Pringle can make a couple of nice plays per game, but they just aren’t dependable enough to plan on them being consistent contributors. So if the ball can’t go to Hill and Travis Kelce 20+ times per game, you are going to have to find touches for more guys on offense. A lot of those touches should go to the running backs Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Darrel Williams.

While the passing attack really took off with Hill and Kelce late in the win over the Chargers, the one area of the offense that never did materialize was the running game. CEH and Williams combined for just 14 carries for 44 yards and 2 receptions for 18 yards. That’s just not enough. The Chiefs have to find a way to get those two more involved in keeping drives going.

If they can line up and run the ball right at their opponents and move the chains that way, then do it. If they aren’t having a lot of luck running the ball then they need to get them more involved in the passing game. Andy Reid has a long history of screen passes being a big part of his offense, but that just hasn’t been the case recently. With this offense starving for production outside of Hill and Kelce they should be doing everything in their power to get these two backs going one way or the other.

Now let’s talk about the defense for a minute.

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