This was always going to be a challenging game for the Kansas City Chiefs. The Houston Texans’ defense was tailor-made to give this version of the Chiefs problems. The unit plays man coverage at a high level, has an elite four-man pass rush and stops the run.
On top of this, Kansas City was down three offensive linemen and had to play third-string left tackle Esa Pole, who played well. It was never going to be a peak offensive performance.
To the Chiefs’ credit, I thought head coach Andy Reid’s game
plan was strong for three quarters. Was it perfect? Absolutely not. The Chiefs gained 12 yards over the first two possessions. But over the second and third quarters, the Chiefs found success. Here were four consecutive drives that occurred in that stretch:
- 12 plays, 72 yards, four first downs, missed field goal
- Eight plays, 56 yards, two first downs, touchdown
- Seven plays, 40 yards, two first downs, punt
- Seven plays, 30 yards, one first down, field goal
If kicker Harrison Butker made a 43-yard field goal, the Chiefs would’ve averaged 2.2 points per drive while putting up 5.3 yards per play in the middle quarters. That’s a good rate considering the context.
Then the fourth quarter started, and the Chiefs fell apart. Before the game became a two-score margin late, the Chiefs had four drives: 13 plays for 19 yards with zero first downs. There were two turnovers and two unsuccessful fourth downs. It was ugly, and probably the worst quarter the Chiefs’ offense played in years.
Let’s examine some of the errors that happened in the fourth quarter:
Film Review
On the first play of the fourth quarter, third-and-6, the Texans drop seven into coverage. The Chiefs only have three routes open. Tight end Travis Kelce is covered running over the ball, wide receiver Tyquan Thornton is passed off on the skinny post. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes chucks it to wide receiver Hollywood Brown and throws a bad ball — he could have set his feet more — but he’s also rolling left with an edge rusher chasing him down. It would have been difficult to set his feet and avoid the hit.
At this point in the game, Houston likely figured out Kansas City was keeping extra bodies in line for protection. Still, it was a waste to have wide receiver Rashee Rice chip against a tight end.
On this first down, the Chiefs go under center in 13 personnel (three tight ends, one running back) with seven players in protection and two routes releasing downfield. The Texans rush four and play Cover 3 behind it.
This play has little chance to work from the jump. The Texans had zero fear of the run, which is a theme for the Chiefs’ opponents this season. Kansas City has been efficient running from under center, but teams don’t care. Defenses are willing to give up 4-5 yard chunks because there is no fear of an explosive run. Combine that with the need to have as many bodies in pass protection as possible, and this play has no chance.
I’m not going to dive too deep into Reid’s decision to go for fourth-and-1 from the Chiefs’ 31-yard line; I would’ve punted it, but the play design is solid. Running back Kareem Hunt is a quasi-TE to chip the edge rusher. He is not a threat to run a route, but he’s a great chipper. Brown is motioned into the backfield before releasing to the opposite flat.
The Chiefs have run this play for years, and it’s almost always worked with their running backs. Kansas City could be critiqued for using the same play that had been scouted, and that’s fair, but I would’ve liked to see wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster settle into that open hook window. That’s the primary failure of the play; he was open, and if he sat still, the Chiefs convert.
This will be a belabored point this upcoming offseason: the Chiefs need a receiver who can beat man coverage. Kansas City has none on the roster, and it’s a massive problem. This play is the perfect example. Despite having two tight ends on the field, you have two top-50 picks on the field at wide receiver. Neither of them does anything to separate against man coverage. That’s just unacceptable and needs to be addressed.
Catch the ball.
This play is a perfect encapsulation of the season. That’s all I have to say.
The Bottom Line
The Chiefs have serious existential problems on offense. This fourth quarter displayed every issue Kansas City has had this year. The offense:
- Does not have a serious run game that any team respects
- Does not have a single wide receiver who can create their own separation
- Does not showcase playmakers that catch the ball in traffic
The pass protection issues are related to the offensive line injuries, and no one should be upset with their performance this game considering the circumstances. This is on everything else. The Chiefs’ unserious approach to the running back position cost them. No opponent cares to defend the run.
They spent two top-60 picks on Rice and Xavier Worthy; both struggle to win on the outside. To be fair to Worthy, he ran two excellent routes versus man coverage this game. Rice did nothing. This season exposed Rice and all his warts, and I’m not treating him like a serious playmaker until he proves he can beat man coverage.
There are a lot of problems the Chiefs will be contemplating this offseason. When they’re identifying the issues, I hope this is the quarter of film they watch before getting back to the drawing board.
