Reid did a fantastic job tonight. If not for overpowered linemen grappling the defense and Frank Clark playing bongos on Bradys helmet this would have been a blowout
Absolutely. Mecole is causing me to use coarse language. Time for the young man to determine what his NFL future is going to be. Third or fourth option where we need to draft a WR high in 2021 or 2nd option once Sammy goes to get paid.
Great article! That was awesome to see the controlled aggressiveness on that final drive. I'm not so sure this is Andy turning over a new leaf as much as it was Andy being afraid to put the ball back into Brady's hands. Either way, it's nice knowing that he's capable of letting his MVP do his thing with the lead, instead of playing it safe. Especially against a good defense.
If I were to guess (and I'm not saying I agree), Andy viewed it different for a few reasons rather than just the QB.
The first would be the field position. They were within field goal range already as opposed to in their own territory by the time we got to that 1st and 2nd down, and DEN had expended 2 of their timeouts already (as opposed to the situation when the drive discussed here started).
That said, I definitely here where you're coming from and would've preferred a called pass or at least an RPO look.
I thought we lacked a killer instinct. Til maybe that last drive..we should have blown them out. Hardman dropped a tough catch but very catchable, for a 89 yard score.
Seth, did PM15 miss Mecole on that "should-have-been" TD throw? Or did Mecole turn the wrong way? Also, Hitch looked like he was flying around but why no Willie Gay? I thought he was our answer to the Gronkowski problem!!!
And not WIlson trying to keep pace with a RB missing a last moment Whiff giving up a TD. Clearly, Gay had a good game against Vegas. I clearly do not understand not using him versus the Bucs. Huh.
My guess is that the Raiders played a lot more in heavy sets - three combined running backs and tight ends - so that the Chiefs responded in base package more often with only two safeties. Tampa Bay played more with more receivers, so Chiefs countered with much more nickel coverage. Thornhill was back in as a third safety, and so a linebacker was sacrificed.
To follow up, according to an article at Arrowhead Report, the Chiefs were in dime coverage - meaning usually only one linebacker - almost half of the time. Lots of snaps for almost all of the defensive backs, and not many from the linebacking corps.
yes... I am aware. My problem is that Wilson isn't an answer. Hitch isn't an answer either long term it's just his money is to great a cap hit to get rid of him.
Based on what I'm told, the adjustments the LB's are asked to make (especially Hitch) to the alignments and the rest of the defense are a big part of it. I share your sentiment.
And not WIlson trying to keep pace with a RB missing a last moment Whiff giving up a TD. Clearly, Gay had a good game against Vegas. I clearly do not understand not using him versus the Bucs. Huh.
Mahomes missed the throw for sure. Had tons of room to put it in front of or even on Hardman, instead well behind. That said, Hardman got enough of his hands on it that it should've been a catch.
Gay is still the 3rd LB behind Wilson. That's how they're choosing to play it, though it's not the route I'd go!
Wonderful! I’m increasingly interested in Mahomes speed?! Several times he has made a joke/comment about himself “not being the fastest” But increasingly I’ve seen keeping ahead or leaving defenders. He doesn’t look that slow to me - any thoughts anyone?
I think Mahomes is as fast as he needs to be. There is no doubt in my mind that Jackson and Murray, for example, could be skill position players in the NFL if they weren't QB's. I don't think that is true about Mahomes. But he has such a sense of spacing on the field, that he knows how much speed he needs in a moment.
I think part of his speed is that he is deadly in so many ways and can punish defenders no matter what. Abrams jumps a scramble, and he hits Kelce for the game winner. They stayed with the receivers in the last four minutes yesterday, and he picked up two killer first downs. It is his mental agility within a play more than physical speed that slows down defenders.
He's not terribly fast, but he's not slow either for a quarterback. He's got decent change of direction skills and is just a natural "subtle fake" athlete. It seems to mess with defenders.
Great Article Seth. I am one of those who has given Reid the treatment about playing to a loss from the lead. I also have given him a poor grade on clock management. In the Day, big games were what I bet on and would bet against the Eagles and won a bit of coin. Reid has over-come that last category. I believe his clock management(or having a coach in his ear to do it) has been considerably better. The choice to put the game in Patrick Mahomes hands is icing on the cake. Thanks.
That last play was a great play call. If no one is open, Mahomes slides down and they kill the clock. If someone comes open, game over. Hope they continue to play aggressive like this.
Earlier this year, I was very worried about Andy not stepping on opponents’ throats once we get ahead by 10-20 points. It certainly creates unnecessary anxiety for the fans.
But other than Tennessee’s last-minute comeback a year ago, I don’t recall the Chiefs actually losing any other such games with Mahomes at the helm. (Please correct me if there have been others.)
So I’m getting a little more comfortable with Andy playing the odds ... but I still wish we’d win the games a little more comfortably.
Killer Instinct Andy and I'm here for it. Hope you are feeling better sir!
I am, and I appreciate it!
Reid did a fantastic job tonight. If not for overpowered linemen grappling the defense and Frank Clark playing bongos on Bradys helmet this would have been a blowout
Mahomes/Hardman missed connection was a huge moment too.
Absolutely. Mecole is causing me to use coarse language. Time for the young man to determine what his NFL future is going to be. Third or fourth option where we need to draft a WR high in 2021 or 2nd option once Sammy goes to get paid.
Great article! That was awesome to see the controlled aggressiveness on that final drive. I'm not so sure this is Andy turning over a new leaf as much as it was Andy being afraid to put the ball back into Brady's hands. Either way, it's nice knowing that he's capable of letting his MVP do his thing with the lead, instead of playing it safe. Especially against a good defense.
I'm trying to speak it into existence!
With 2:32 left, Andy showed that he hasn’t necessarily turned over a new leaf. It apparently was a one-time deal because of Brady.
We ran on 1st-and-10 and on 2nd-and-9, and left Mahomes with a long 3rd-and-12.
Give Mahomes at least two throws to get a first down—and preferably three—and he’ll usually get the first down and run out the clock.
Andy’s approach worked last night—as it almost always does—but it left a risk of a comeback win.
If I were to guess (and I'm not saying I agree), Andy viewed it different for a few reasons rather than just the QB.
The first would be the field position. They were within field goal range already as opposed to in their own territory by the time we got to that 1st and 2nd down, and DEN had expended 2 of their timeouts already (as opposed to the situation when the drive discussed here started).
That said, I definitely here where you're coming from and would've preferred a called pass or at least an RPO look.
With 2:32 left, Andy showed that he hasn’t necessarily turned over a new leaf. It apparently was a one-time deal because of Brady.
We ran on 1st-and-10 and on 2nd-and-9, and left Mahomes with a long 3rd-and-12.
Give Mahomes at least two throws to get a first down—and preferably three—and he’ll usually get the first down and run out the clock.
Andy’s approach worked last night—as it almost always does—but it left a risk of a comeback win.
I thought we lacked a killer instinct. Til maybe that last drive..we should have blown them out. Hardman dropped a tough catch but very catchable, for a 89 yard score.
Now if you can convince him to unholster PMII on 3rd and 1...
I think it's time they accept their limitations on the interior on 3rd and short and spread out defenses similarly to how they would on 3rd and 8.
AMEN!!!
Seth, did PM15 miss Mecole on that "should-have-been" TD throw? Or did Mecole turn the wrong way? Also, Hitch looked like he was flying around but why no Willie Gay? I thought he was our answer to the Gronkowski problem!!!
And not WIlson trying to keep pace with a RB missing a last moment Whiff giving up a TD. Clearly, Gay had a good game against Vegas. I clearly do not understand not using him versus the Bucs. Huh.
My guess is that the Raiders played a lot more in heavy sets - three combined running backs and tight ends - so that the Chiefs responded in base package more often with only two safeties. Tampa Bay played more with more receivers, so Chiefs countered with much more nickel coverage. Thornhill was back in as a third safety, and so a linebacker was sacrificed.
To follow up, according to an article at Arrowhead Report, the Chiefs were in dime coverage - meaning usually only one linebacker - almost half of the time. Lots of snaps for almost all of the defensive backs, and not many from the linebacking corps.
if there is a linebacker who is fast, and can cover receivers, it is Willie Gay, Jr, with 4.6-40 speed.
They've got him as the third LB, so basically any time there's only 1 or 2 LB's on the field he comes off.
yes... I am aware. My problem is that Wilson isn't an answer. Hitch isn't an answer either long term it's just his money is to great a cap hit to get rid of him.
Based on what I'm told, the adjustments the LB's are asked to make (especially Hitch) to the alignments and the rest of the defense are a big part of it. I share your sentiment.
we can't say more because we don't know more. :) - Where's Willie?
And not WIlson trying to keep pace with a RB missing a last moment Whiff giving up a TD. Clearly, Gay had a good game against Vegas. I clearly do not understand not using him versus the Bucs. Huh.
Mahomes missed the throw for sure. Had tons of room to put it in front of or even on Hardman, instead well behind. That said, Hardman got enough of his hands on it that it should've been a catch.
Gay is still the 3rd LB behind Wilson. That's how they're choosing to play it, though it's not the route I'd go!
Wonderful! I’m increasingly interested in Mahomes speed?! Several times he has made a joke/comment about himself “not being the fastest” But increasingly I’ve seen keeping ahead or leaving defenders. He doesn’t look that slow to me - any thoughts anyone?
I think Mahomes is as fast as he needs to be. There is no doubt in my mind that Jackson and Murray, for example, could be skill position players in the NFL if they weren't QB's. I don't think that is true about Mahomes. But he has such a sense of spacing on the field, that he knows how much speed he needs in a moment.
I think part of his speed is that he is deadly in so many ways and can punish defenders no matter what. Abrams jumps a scramble, and he hits Kelce for the game winner. They stayed with the receivers in the last four minutes yesterday, and he picked up two killer first downs. It is his mental agility within a play more than physical speed that slows down defenders.
He's not terribly fast, but he's not slow either for a quarterback. He's got decent change of direction skills and is just a natural "subtle fake" athlete. It seems to mess with defenders.
Depending on the how long Andy stays, do you ever see him letting Mahomes call his own plays?
Great Article Seth. I am one of those who has given Reid the treatment about playing to a loss from the lead. I also have given him a poor grade on clock management. In the Day, big games were what I bet on and would bet against the Eagles and won a bit of coin. Reid has over-come that last category. I believe his clock management(or having a coach in his ear to do it) has been considerably better. The choice to put the game in Patrick Mahomes hands is icing on the cake. Thanks.
I definitely freak out less at the end of close games than I used to, and at the end of halves.
That last play was a great play call. If no one is open, Mahomes slides down and they kill the clock. If someone comes open, game over. Hope they continue to play aggressive like this.
Absolutely. It's all or nothing there, and it's a superb play call
Earlier this year, I was very worried about Andy not stepping on opponents’ throats once we get ahead by 10-20 points. It certainly creates unnecessary anxiety for the fans.
But other than Tennessee’s last-minute comeback a year ago, I don’t recall the Chiefs actually losing any other such games with Mahomes at the helm. (Please correct me if there have been others.)
So I’m getting a little more comfortable with Andy playing the odds ... but I still wish we’d win the games a little more comfortably.