The Kansas City Chiefs fell to 5-4 with a 28-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, and the team's two most glaring weaknesses showed up in the game.
The Kansas City Chiefs were rolling as they entered Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills. However, as been the case the last four times the Chiefs and Bills have played in the regular season, it was the Bills that got a victory.
While the final score was 28-21, the Bills were in control for much of this game. Josh Allen finished the game completing a career-high 88.4% of his passes, while Patrick Mahomes completed a career-low 44.1% of his attempts.
The fact the Chiefs even had a chance late in the game to tie it could be worrisome for a Bills fanbase who has seen the Chiefs come back and win the matchup in the playoffs every time.
At 5-4, the Chiefs still control their own destiny when it comes to winning the AFC West for the 10th consecutive year, the margin of error is nearly gone.
With the NFL trade deadline set for Tuesday, the Chiefs have some glaring needs that could use some work.
Running Back
The first, and the most fixable when it comes to the trade market is the running back position. The New York Jets have let it be known that they want a third round pick for Breece Hall. If that is what it going to take, then Brett Veach needs to make that happen.
Hall would be a perfect fit for the Chiefs, and would give the team the home-run threat from the running back position that it has been lacking since the first year Mahomes became the starter.
Kareem Hunt is a very good complementary running back, but he doesn't provide the type of big play threat the Hall would.
This move just makes too much sense for all parties involved, and it is a move the Chiefs could, and should make.
Defensive Line
While running back is the easiest position to add a true upgrade, this is the position that needs the most help. In the game against the Buffalo Bills, the Chiefs defensive line was dominated for most of the day.
Chris Jones is having arguably the worst season of his career, and the only way the Chiefs can create any kind of pressure is by bringing blitzes.
The Bills let it be known on Sunday what the game-plan will be in a potential playoff game, and that is to run the ball right at the Chiefs.
This may be the biggest weakness for the Chiefs right now, but this isn't as easy of a fix as the running back position could be.
Another Jets player Quennin Williams may be available, but that is going to require the type of financial maneuvering that makes this a very difficult deal to make.
The Dolphins have guys like Bradley Chubb and Jaelen Phillips are also guys the team could be interested in, and woud be easier to get.
Cornerback
This isn't a glaring need, but the Chiefs at times have had issues guarding receivers. Going up against a guy like Allen, it makes cornerbacks have to guard another second or two longer than they normally would.
Add the fact the Chiefs defensive line is not getting the pressure it has in the past, and the team could use another cornerback that can matchup with receivers on the outside.
One guy that is rumored to being on the trade block is Seattle Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen. He has fallen out of favor for the new Seahawks staff, but he made the Pro-Bowl after his rookie season in 2022 when he had six interceptions.
Brett Veach has proven to be as good of general manager as there is in the NFL, as he has continued to put a Super Bowl contender every year during the Mahomes era.
Despite the loss, this is a team that is more than capable of once again winning the Super Bowl. Veach has shown he isn't afraid to make a big move, and he needs to have that mindset this season as well.