Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs must find identity

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

foxsports

Oct 2, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) and tight end Travis Kelce (87) talk on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 43-14. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

As the Kansas City Chiefs departed for their bye week, they have left fans with more questions than answers.

Kansas City showed ability to come back from long odds against San Diego. The next week they were unable to do anything at all against the Texans. The Chiefs controlled the Jets game from the start and then never had any control in the Steelers game.

Each game has been a completely different type of story and at this point there is no real way to know which one is true. Kansas City is receive a boost on offense. The return of superstar running back Jamaal Charles should help them when they resume play against the Raiders. They have the possibility of getting back another superstar shortly after the bye week. Houston is eligible to return for the Saints game but is more than likely out for a little longer.

The Chiefs head to Oakland for a game against the currently 3-1 Raiders. Oakland is a better team than in years past but they have yet to be truly tested. Their defense doesn’t look nearly as dominant as some may have thought they would be. Offensively, Carr is getting into a good rhythm with his wide receivers but he is still making mostly quick reads.

While the defense has played well in half of the games they couldn’t do anything to stop the Steelers last Sunday night. The Chiefs had injuries in the secondary but were torched for 5 passing TD’s and almost 300 yards passing by Big Ben. Kansas City must find a way to create more pressure on the QB’s moving forward.

Jan 3, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) is pressured by Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City won the game 23-17. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

The defense must be able to take away any quick reads that Carr may have. If they can find a way to get him to hold on to the ball for just a little bit longer the pass rush may be able to get to him. The Chiefs pass rush isn’t formidable to this point but Sutton has multiple blitzes he can use to create pressure. Kansas City must find a way to get Carr off his game early. Otherwise, the Raiders will jump out to a quick lead and never look back.

The biggest issue with the Raiders starting quick and never having to look back is that the Chiefs offense couldn’t catch them. Kansas City’s defense has had the Chiefs in three of the four games where if the offense is just decent KC should win going away. Instead KC is 2-2 and could just as easily be 1-3 after the horrible season opener.

Why has the Chiefs offense taken so many steps back? Several factors have caused a step back on offense. First, missing Jamaal Charles has not helped the KC rush attack. Spencer Ware started the first game great but has now had a fumble in 3 straight games. This happening after not fumbling since before high school. Charles’ return to the lineup should be a boost for the ground game.

Kansas City has lacked a second wide receiver for some time but Chris Conley is changing that. Conley has shown he is fully capable of being that added dimension in the offense. Smith has shown that he trusts Conley to make plays as well. With the addition of Conley to the mix and Maclin rounding back into shape the Chiefs should be in position to take a step forward against the Raiders.

What do you think, Addicts?