Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs grades: Winning from behind

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Kansas City Chiefs looked putrid during the first half of their game in Carolina on Sunday.

They were so bad that it really looked like the Panthers’ 17 point lead was insurmountable. Don’t tell that to Eric Berry or Marcus Peters. The defense continues to be the strength of this team and right now it isn’t close.

Offense: C-

Ok so the Chiefs are without Jeremy Maclin and it appears that wide receiver might be the thinnest position on the team. The depth behind Maclin struggles to hold on to the ball and there is a severe lack of experience. Tyreek Hill is exciting and Chris Conley is strong but Albert Wilson is not who the Chiefs want starting on the outside.

CHARLOTTE, NC – NOVEMBER 13: Tyreek Hill

Another position that has turned out to be more of a hinderance than a strength is tight end. Outside of Travis Kelce it is drop city. The blocking doesn’t look all that great either from Ross Travis or Demetrius Harris. James O’Shaughnessy has proven some use but the Chiefs need playmakers in the passing game.

None of this is to shift blame from Alex Smith however. He had a bad day in the redzone with at least two touchdowns missed with bad throws. He is usually very accurate and it may just be a lack of rhythm due to missing last week or he is skittish from the big hits he took in Indianapolis. Either way this offense needs to get back on track.

The one place aspect that continues to outperform their expectations is the offensive line, especially in pass protection. The sacks achieved by Carolina on Sunday were due to coverage and not blown assignments. The running game struggled but the Panthers entered the game with one of the best run defenses. Penalties are really the only issue I have with the offensive line.

Nov 13, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) before being stripped of the ball by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters (22) with 29 seconds left in the fourth quarter. The Chiefs defeated the Panthers 20-17 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Defense: B+

The defense spotted the Panthers 17 points before really clamping down. They were begging for the offense to get something going but in the end had to go out and win it themselves. It wasn’t the first time and it may not be the last. Eric Berry is considered by many to be playing better than he was even before his cancer diagnosis.

The fact that he beat cancer at all is nothing short of a miracle but to be playing better afterwards? That is insane. Berry is making a great case for All-Pro consideration as he gets to feast on the likes of Jameis Winston and Trevor Siemian the next two weeks.

Elsewhere the Chiefs were able to pressure Cam Newton in key situations with the likes of Dirty Dan Sorensen and Dee Ford. Getting back Justin Houston in the next few weeks will make the front seven of Kansas City virtually unstoppable.

Denver has proven that championships can be one with a great defense and a subpar offense. But the Chiefs have proven already that they can put points on the board, they just have to get and stay healthy.

Nov 13, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Kansas City Chiefs kicker Cairo Santos (5) celebrates with long snapper James Winchester (41) after kicking the game winning field goal at the end of the fourth quarter. The Chiefs defeated the Panthers 20-17 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Special Teams: A

What can I say about Cairo Santos? The guy has proven game in and game out that he can be relied on in big moments. When the offense sputters in the redzone Santos gives the Chiefs wins off his right foot. It is a major luxury to have a kicker that doesn’t let pressure get to him and comes through in big moments.

The rest of the special teams played just as large of a role in this win as the defense. Tyreek Hill provided sparks with his returns and Dustin Colquitt set up the defense in great positions throughout the second half. One of these games Hill is going to get his touchdown on a return. He can’t be stopped forever. As the weather gets colder more and more will depend on these two units to win games. They could be the difference between an AFC title and a first round exit.

Coaching: A

We can gripe a lot about the playcalling the last few weeks but if the offense can’t execute, no manner of playcalling will fix it. Alex Smith needs to look to himself to stop the field goals and up the touchdowns in the redzone. Reid did a great job this week in getting some discipline on this team. Sure Peters still nearly blew it by punting into the stands but that was the only real issue on the day. The Chiefs never panicked despite being down 17.

This is a team that isn’t supposed to win from behind. The reason they continue to get these ugly wins despite all the injuries is Big Red. He and his coaching staff really deserve coach of the year so far this season.