Our Kansas City
Chiefs found a way to avoid losing against a considerably lesser opponent
last week, but in just minutes, the Chiefs face the defending NFC champs. We
know Kansas City won't win all the games they "should", but they
"should've" lost against the Jags last Sunday. The Chiefs earning a
win in ugly fashion, and without many of their most important pieces, stands as
evidence that KC is legit. However, fans can't take too much from a victory
against such an inferior team. We can rest easy knowing they snuck away with a
win, but it wasn’t a pretty moment for the Nick
Foles-led Chiefs.
The cellar-dwelling 2-6 Jaguars dominated Kansas City in
practically every important statistic, except for the stat that matters most -
turnovers. Chiefs reporter BJ Kissel pointed out that during this four-game
winning streak, the Chiefs never turned the ball over, and the defense forced
10 turnovers. Since the last time KC turned the ball over, the Denver Broncos have lost two games and
given up the ball seven times. So, who's the best team in the AFC West?
I think it's the Chiefs, but man, it's close. The Oakland Raiders proved...something by
beating up the Broncos last Sunday night, but I still don't think they proved
they're as legit a team as the Chiefs. If anything, the Raiders only proved
that Denver is less-daunting an opponent than I assumed. The incredible softness of Oakland’s schedule
and a commanding KC victory in The Black Hole tells me our Chiefs are the cream
of the crop in the NFL’s best division. The extremely impactful emergence of Dee Ford could be the biggest reason
why.
After myself and many others deemed him a bust, Dee Ford may
end up helping KC reach a Super Bowl this year and solidify their defense in
years to come. Thinking about this new-and-improved Ford opposite a fully
functioning Justin Houston is enough
to give me goosebumps. If Houston looks like himself shortly after returning to
play this season, watching this duo will inspire confidence and make the
diminishing production from Tamba Hali
much less sad. Only six QBs in the league have been sacked more often than Cam Newton, so Ford’s contributions
today could decide KC’s status in the division (for now).
On the other side of the ball, Carolina ranks 4th
in sacks, and their front seven consistently stifles their opponents’ running
game. KC ranks 27th in rushing yards allowed, while Carolina ranks 3rd.
Spencer Ware is back in action now,
and the Chiefs need him to succeed against a dominant defense in order to
successfully control the clock in Carolina today.
Turnovers, or a lack thereof, will ultimately decide this
game. Carolina owns the NFL’s 5th-worst turnover ratio, while KC has
the league’s best. If the Chiefs continue on this pace, they’ll have a good
chance at a win today, but it won’t be easy against a Panthers D that looks
more daunting with every stat I read. Without the ability to manage the game by
successfully run the ball, Andy Reid’s
offensive game plan often goes haywire.
I’m predicting a 24-17 defeat for our Chiefs this afternoon,
but it wouldn’t be shocking to see KC win. If they make me look stupid (won’t
be the first time) and come away with a nice road victory, our Chiefs will be a
bona fide first-place team for the first time this season. That would be something to be thankful for, but hey, let me save my corny Thanksgiving material for next week.
Doug LaCerte enjoys insulting the Raiders on Twitter @DLaC67, and he's still ignoring friend requests from numerous family members on Facebook.
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