Chiefs Blitz: A look at the good, the bad and the ugly from Sunday’s loss to the 49ers
Do tell the truth
1. How disappointing is this loss?
It’s definitely a tough one to swallow. The Chiefs played their tails off in the first half and were in position to win in the second half. But the offense came up empty, and the defense let the 49ers chew up the clock.
2. How do you explain the way the Chiefs went so pass-happy in the second half?
Everyone has lauded coach Andy Reid’s play-calling for the better part of three weeks, so let’s not forget that the man knows what he’s doing. Even still, 13 of the Chiefs’ 17 second-half offensive plays were passes, and with the way the Chiefs were churning out yards on the ground, that’s a stat that’s just begging to be criticized.
3. Is the Chiefs’ run defense making progress, at least?
Sure. The group looked pretty disoriented against the run against Tennessee and Miami, and while the 49ers got 171 rushing yards, the Chiefs still had plenty of moments where they looked competent, and the 49ers’ 4.3 yards-per-carry average wasn’t incredible. At the end of the game though, the Chiefs certainly weren’t good enough, and they better pick it up if they hope to make the playoffs.
4. Speaking of the playoffs, is that still a possibility?
Yes. The Chiefs now have two weeks to get ready for a road test at San Diego, and while that game won’t be easy, they should be prepared. Win that game, and they’re 3-3 with the rest of their season ahead of them. Against this schedule, the Chiefs will take that. A loss to the Chargers will obviously make it harder, though.
5. Well, at least Jamaal Charles made a little bit of history, right?
Charles moved into second place on the Chiefs’ all-time rushing list Sunday, surpassing Larry Johnson by rushing for 80 yards on 15 carries. Charles is now53 yards shy of surpassing Priest Holmes for the team’s all-time mark. That’s something to chew on for the next two weeks or so while baseball fever envelops Kansas City.
The number
5 Offensive plays the Chiefs ran in the fourth quarter.
| Terez A. Paylor, tpaylor@kcstar.com
This story was originally published October 5, 2014 at 8:19 PM with the headline "Chiefs Blitz: A look at the good, the bad and the ugly from Sunday’s loss to the 49ers."