Arrowhead Pride
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:
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:
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...
