The Kansas City Chiefs will have their biggest game of the season on Sunday and Patrick Mahomes won’t be 100%. Here’s how the offense can still thrive.
The Kansas City Chiefs came away from their divisional playoff game with the Jacksonville Jaguars with a crucial win that kept their Super Bowl dreams alive. However, the price of their 27-20 win was steep as All-Pro quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a high ankle sprain that will seriously hamper his ability to play in his unprecedented 5th straight AFC Championship Game. To make matters worse, the Chiefs next opponent and nemesis, the Cincinnati Bengals looked fantastic in their 27-10 win in Buffalo.
The Bengals have had the Chiefs’ number since Joe Burrow became their starting quarterback, having beaten the Chiefs three consecutive times. Not only has Burrow been fantastic, but defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo has done an incredible job of scheming up ways to keep Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense off balance.
It goes without saying that in order to win this matchup the Chiefs’ defense is going to need a fantastic effort, yet even with that, the Chiefs are going to have to find ways to move the ball and score points with a hobbled Mahomes at the helm.
I believe the Chiefs can still put up points on the Bengals next week, but they need a smart plan and players to step up and make it happen. In fact, there are five main keys to making this happen and it starts with K.C.’s man with a plan.
Andy Reid Needs To Call A Great Game
Andy Reid is a sure-fire Hall of Fame coach. On Saturday he became the first coach to ever coach two different teams to 10 playoff wins and his 20 total playoff wins are tied for second all-time in NFL history. On top of that, he’s seen as one of the best offensive minds in all of football history. Here’s the deal though, despite all of those accolades and accomplishments (that are well-earned) he has moments, stretches, or games where his play calling leaves you scratching your head. That can’t happen on Sunday. The Chiefs need their Hall of Fame playcaller to call a Hall of Fame-worthy game.
When the AFC Championship Game comes to an end we need to look back on the game and see Andy Reid’s play calling as something that helped the offense succeed and not something we’re frustrated or confused by. Yes, the players have to execute, but Andy has to put them in a position to do just that.
I mentioned that the Bengals’ defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo has done a good job against the Chiefs in their previous matchups. It’s more than that though. He’s evolved into one of the premier defensive game planners in all of the NFL. Anarumo is making a great name for himself, but Andy Reid is the Hall of Famer and he needs to prove that by winning this coaching matchup on Sunday.
What should that game plan include? Let’s start with trusting his rookie running back.