Even at 0-2, Chiefs’ season is far from over

By Adam Best  |   Thursday, September 20, 2007  |  Comments( 21 )

Kansas City Chiefs
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While many might see an 0-2 start to the regular season as a kiss of death for NFL teams, that's not always the case. In fact, the Kansas City Chiefs started off 0-2 just last season, yet they still made the playoffs. Such a recovery doesn't happen often, but the Chiefs' postseason hopes aren't necessarily dead after the team is once again out of the gate at 0-2.

The long road back to the playoffs will start this Sunday. It's Kansas City's home opener, and the Minnesota Vikings are set to visit the unfriendly confines of Arrowhead Stadium.

The Vikings aren't exactly a team that strikes fear into opposing hearts, but that doesn't mean second-year head coach Brad Childress' squad hasn't improved after missing the playoffs last year. The Vikes are 1-1; they beat the Falcons in Week 1 and lost in overtime last Sunday in Detroit.

Still, given the Chiefs' unparalleled record at home, on paper this contests mirrors last year's third game -- the Chiefs' 41-0 home blowout of the San Francisco 49ers and young QB Alex Smith.

As everyone knows, football games aren't played on paper, or by simulators, but instead inside stadiums. And even inside the most rabid of stadiums -- like, ahem, Arrowhead -- anything can happen on a weekly basis.

What can the Chiefs do to secure what's essentially a must-win home game? Several things ...

1. Shake things up offensively by taking some shots early instead of on third-and-1 plays in the fourth quarter.

That's an obvious jab at Mike Solari, the Chiefs' novice (and that's putting it nicely) offensive coordinator. Nevertheless, it's a jab he deserves. The Chiefs never open it up early in games by taking shots downfield, and constantly run conservative plays that develop behind the line of scrimmage on third-and-long situations. That isn't winning play-calling -- it's a case of trying not to lose. There are plenty of teams that would love to have a trio of game-breakers like Dwayne Bowe, Larry Johnson and Tony Gonzalez, but Solari just hasn't figured out how to get his offensive studs going. This weekend's game would be a good time for him to finally figure that out.

2. No more special teams screwups.

This usually goes without saying, but the Chiefs' special teams has been putrid. Through two games, this unit has allowed a punt return touchdown, missed a field goal and turned the ball over. That's not a winning formula, even at home. If this group doesn't get its act together soon, then guys like special teams coach Mike Priefer and even return specialist Eddie Drummond might need to be shown the door, like ex-kicker Justin Medlock was after he shanked a Week 1 chip-shot.

3. Cut down on penalties.

Fourteen penalties through two games -- one which negated a much-needed fourth-quarter touchdown against the Chicago Bears last week -- is far too many. If the Chiefs are going to keep their home-field advantage intact, they'll have to exercise more discipline. Herm Edwards' team is starting to look like AFC West rival Oakland in terms of how many penalties it takes.

4. Continue to force turnovers.

Taking the ball away is the one thing the Chiefs have actually done effectively during the opening two games. Creating turnovers is also something the Chiefs have always done well at Arrowhead, which has helped pad the team's impressive home record over the past two decades. The linebackers and safeties have done a great job of accruing takeaways, but the cornerbacks and defensive linemen will have to get in on the act, too, for this unit to become a truly dominant one. The return of end Jared Allen, possibly the defense's best player, will help. His pass-rushing skills will buy veteran corners Patrick Surtain and Ty Law more time. He also is known for causing quarterbacks to fumble, so he can force turnovers both directly and indirectly. Even at home, the Chiefs need to keep producing turnovers at a high rate, especially considering how giveaway-prone the offense has been thus far.

If the Chiefs can make the aforementioned adjustments, they should not only win this Sunday but do so in decisive fashion.

Adam Best, RealFootball365.com 's Kansas City Chiefs senior columnist, also covers the Chiefs for ArrowheadAddict.com, where he serves as the site's lead writer.
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CommentsComments: 21  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
bigsnow81		10:35 AM
09/21/2007
This blog is now possesion of the Raider Nation. This is due to the Chiefs lack of offense and quite frankly because the suck ...
No.2
Chief Tom		10:55 AM
09/21/2007
Hey BigBlow I bet this article has you worried. I notice they never have anything good to say about the raiders. we'll be 1-2 ...
No.3
uelander		03:50 PM
09/21/2007
Chief Tom you're funny, not only obsessed with the Raiders but Al's nether region. If you had read the NFL reports this week you ...
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