Do the Kansas City Chiefs have too many concerns to make a deep playoff run this season?
The Chiefs’ offense is one of the best in the National Football League, and the defense has been solid for the most part.
However, there are some glaring holes on both sides of the ball that should have been addressed by general manager Brett Veach at the trade deadline this past Tuesday.
Offensively, the Chiefs had a clear need for a running back to replace starter Isiah Pacheco. Pacheco is dealing with an MCL injury in his knee that sidelined him against the Buffalo Bills in Week 9. He is expected to be back after Kansas City’s Week 10 bye for their matchup in Denver against the Broncos.
Kareem Hunt assumed the starting role, and while he is usually effective, there was a talented dual-threat running back whose price tag was a third-round pick.
New York Jets running back Breece Hall was made available, and he would have been a perfect fit in the Chiefs’ backfield. Veach offered a fourth-round pick for Hall but refused to give up a third, when just a few seasons ago, the Chiefs traded for receiver Kadarius Toney for a third- and a sixth-round pick.
How could the team trade that package for Toney, who never amounted to anything prior to the trade, but not for Hall?
Defensively, the team had a need at defensive tackle. The defense hasn’t gotten enough pressure on opposing quarterbacks despite defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s blitzing tendencies.
Star DT Chris Jones hasn’t been his dominant self and the team will need to rely on him to get going after not addressing the issue.
“Can Jones elevate his play to superstar level again? At age 31, Jones hasn't been as dominant as in previous years,” ESPN’s Nate Taylor wrote Thursday. “The Chiefs didn't make a move at the deadline to improve their pass rush around Jones, either. Once again, Jones will have to carry the burden for lifting Steve Spagnuolo's unit. Entering their bye week, the Chiefs have recorded just 20 sacks and nine takeaways.”
Another concern is the win-loss record in one-score games. Typically, the Chiefs dominate one-score games with Patrick Mahomes under center. This season, the team is 0-4.
One-score wins usually separate the Chiefs from other teams, but the Chiefs haven’t had the same luck this season. They will look to knock off the first-place Broncos in Week 11.