Four reasons to remain optimistic about the KC Chiefs in 2022
Since late-November, the Kansas City Chiefs have looked much more like Clark Kent than Superman. The good news is that there’s a phone booth just around the corner.
Over the past four weeks, it’s been tough sledding for the Kansas City Chiefs. The team is 3-1 over that stretch, but lost ground in its bid to host a fifth-straight AFC Championship Game. Fortunately for them, they rebounded from a rough Week 13 loss with a slim victory over the Denver Broncos. That said, the past two games have revealed a few chinks in the armor of the AFC’s No. 2 seed.
Defensively, Kansas City has shown some inconsistency, and worse, ineptitude in big moments. The Chiefs’ biggest weakness offensively has been efficiency in red zone situations. Make no mistake, a 10-3 record and a shot at home-field advantage is all anyone can ask for in a “re-tooling year”, but it’s fair to consider the height of this team’s 2022 ceiling. Do they truly have what it takes to represent the conference in the Super Bowl? That answer depends entirely on whom you ask, but with four games remaining, there are reasons for optimism. If hearts and minds are clear, let’s explore them.
Brandon Williams
The Chiefs have come to be known for late-season defensive line additions. This season, it comes in the form of former Ravens standout Brandon Williams. The 6-1, 336-pound defensive tackle was signed to Kansas City’s practice squad on November 30th. Eight days later, he was elevated to the active roster in time to see game action this past Sunday.
In his debut with the Chiefs, he played just 15 snaps, but recorded two quarterback hits and registered a half sack. Williams is a massive, space-eating force who can help shore up the Chiefs’ leaky run defense down the stretch. He adds a veteran presence with the kind of nasty playing style that can help elevate the other linemen around him. Williams was on a snap count last weekend but should see his playing time increase in the weeks to come.