Like most NFL coaches, Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid has a stubborn streak. Most people are writing the Chiefs off given that their record is 6-6, but Reid remains convinced that Kansas City can still make the playoffs.
That’s his job, of course, but for Reid it’s more than that. He’s seen his team do miraculous things, especially his quarterback, Patrick Mahomes.
“We’re still in the mix right here,” Reid said in an article written by Jesse Newell of The Athletic, “which is a great thing.”
Maybe so, but many see it as the beginning of the end for the Chiefs dynasty. Too many little things are going wrong, and the Chiefs are failing in ways we’ve never seen them fail before.
But that’s exactly what Reid is talking about, really. He stayed defiant yesterday as he talked about Kansas City’s chances, regardless of what the opinions are outside of the building.
“You saw it in this last game. You pick up a play here or there, that’s the difference in the game,” Reid said. “And that’s where we’re at right now. We’ve got to flip that around.”
One stat that supports Reid’s optimism is the Chiefs’ point differential. As Newell pointed out, it’s +73 right now, versus +59 through 12 games last year, and last year’s team eked its way to an 11-1 start. Reid has catch phrases for this, and they’re familiar to Chiefs fans.
“Doggone, I’m telling you. It’s a few plays there,” Reid said. “That’s what it is.”
The latest leaks in the boat are about penalties and the pass rush. The Chiefs had ten flags for 119 yards in last Thursday’s 31-28 road loss to the Dallas Cowboys, but Reid says, “we’re not going to use that as any kind of an excuse.”
The pass rush issue is different and relatively new. Defensive tackle Chris Jones has been scuffling all year, and against Dallas defensive end George Karlaftis had to deal with a hand injury.
“You can’t allow quarterbacks at this level to stand back there and throw the ball with comfortable feet,” Reid said. “We know that.”
Ried also knows that change is a constant in the NFL, and that, too, is part of his optimism.
“Things change quickly in this league — one way or the other. So you’ve got to keep going, and keep going forward and try to eliminate some of the things that are taking you backwards and do it with a positive attitude,” Reid said. “It’s the only way to go.”