Familiar issues pile up to bury Kansas City Chiefs vs Denver Broncos
3. Special teams miscues (especially punt returns)
Dave Toub has a reputation for being one of the top special teams coordinators in the NFL. On the surface, with the success of kicker Harrison Butker and punter Tommy Townsend, it would be easy to pat Toub on the back for a job well done, but the coverage and return units simply haven't been as impressive. In fact, you can make an argument that the kick and punt returns have been a downright mess for years and he hasn't been able to get it fixed.
The punt return nightmares have been chronic. Hardman was a mess a couple of years ago and they finally took him off of it. They then tried Skyy Moore who was even worse. Kadarius Toney showed promise, but since he can't typically stay healthy for more than a few plays, they decided not to keep him there. It looked like Richie James might be the answer, but he was bad early in the season and then got hurt. Finally, someone actually looked good at the job, but Montrell Washington was kicked off the active roster to make room for Hardman. Then Hardman had a brutal flubbed punt on Sunday that took away a chance for the Chiefs to make a last stand.
The problem isn't just the ability to find (and keep) a capable punt returner, it's that Toub isn't coaching up the returners to do the right thing. There is ZERO reason for Hardman to field a punt at the five-yard line. Period. The worst-case scenario is they are able to down it about two yards deeper than where Hardman would have fielded it. Best case scenario: it bounces into the end zone and K.C. gets a touchback. It's either bad coaching that he didn't let him know not to field it that deep, or Toub should have been on him as soon as he did. Hardman should be benched for "being greedy and selfish" and going against what he was told to do,
If the Chiefs aren't going to be as explosive and high-scoring on offense and are going to have to win more close defensive games it becomes all the more vital that they not have glaring issues on special teams like this. Let's move on.