The Kansas City Chiefs are in trouble, but the coach knows exactly why. After a 5-0 start, the team has dropped two straight games, including a 28-24 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Nov. 1. Head coach Andy Reid says the problem isn’t the opponents or the scheme. It is the team itself. According to Heavy.com, Reid made it clear that too many penalties are holding the squad back from getting back on track.
The numbers from the Broncos game tell a brutal story. The Chiefs committed 11 penalties for 105 yards. One specific mistake on right tackle Jaylon Moore cost the team the game-winning touchdown. Reid called out this self-inflicted pain directly. “Offensively when we stalled, we normally had something that was self-inflicted, and not necessarily what they (the Broncos ) did,” Reid said. The team cannot blame the defense or the other side when they shoot themselves in the foot with bad calls.
The Penalty Problem Is Real
Reid admits the errors are frustrating. He joked about the situation but kept the tone serious. “I don’t like penalties. Do they upset me? Yeah, they upset me,” Reid joked. He observed that the games are so tight and difficult that losing due to basic errors is unlikely. The team is young, and Reid reminded everyone that they are still learning. Per Heavy.com, he emphasized that the games are too tight to let bad discipline decide the outcome. A 105-yard penalty total in a four-point loss is a heavy price to pay.
Talent vs. Execution
Despite the losses, Reid believes the roster has the right stuff to win. This year he perceives a superior combination of skill and direction than existed during the previous season. The team sits at 5-2, which is still a good spot in the standings. “I’ve got guys who know how to win games,” Reid said. The next three opponents all have losing records, giving Kansas City a chance to fix these issues before facing the Buffalo Bills on Thanksgiving. The talent is there, but the execution must change.
The road ahead starts with the New York Jets on Sunday, Nov. 8 at Arrowhead Stadium. The Jets are 2-6, which makes them an easy target on paper. But the Chiefs cannot afford another self-inflicted wound. If the team cleans up the penalties, they can climb back to the top of the AFC West.
