Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

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

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The Kansas City Chiefs beat the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday by the final score of 19-14. There really isn’t such a thing as a “bad win” in the NFL. An ugly win counts just as much in the win column as a pretty one does. That having been said, this win was brutal to watch. In fact, I’m not sure that the Chiefs actually won the game as much as the Jaguars lost it. Blake Bortles was horrendous and cost the Jacksonville dearly at times. I decided that instead of focusing on any one positive or negative aspect of the game I’d hit on them all as I break down the good, the bad, and the ugly from this game.

Let’s start with the ultimate good that trumps absolutely everything else: the Chiefs won. That’s really all that matters as the Chiefs move forward and put this game behind them. The Chiefs played most of the game without Alex Smith, Jamaal Charles, Spencer Ware, Jeremy Maclin, and Travis Kelce. The fact that they beat any NFL team with that much talent not of the field is a HUGE positive. The NFL season is long and taxing and you see good teams drop games all the time. This was the ultimate trap game for the Chiefs as they faced a bad team without most of their best offensive players. The end result is another win added to the record and now the Chiefs are 6-2.

Before we get to what was not so good, there were a few KC players that deserve some credit for their performance as we continue “The Good” from Sunday.

Nov 6, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) throws a pass as Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Dee Ford (55) pressures during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The Good

Dee Ford – I think this section has to start with the Chiefs breakout start of 2016. I said it last week and I’ll say it again now, I was 100% wrong about Dee Ford. I was convinced that he would never be more than an average situational pass rusher. I saw value in having him on the roster but was amongst the majority that had decided he would never validate his first round draft slot. Boy were we all wrong. Dee Ford has become a one man pass rush for the Chiefs and his nine sacks is tied for the most in the NLF (at least before the prime time games). The thought of being able to package Ford with a healthy Justin Houston is tantalizing.

Ramik Wilson – I don’t have a lot to say here other than “Good for you Ramik Wilson”. The guy had to be devastated when he didn’t make the 53 man roster out of camp, but when Justin March-Lillard was lost to injury Wilson not only got back on the active roster but found himself starting. If Wilson continues to play like he did on Sunday he may just earn the right to keep the job in years to come.

Steven Nelson – Nelson is far from KC’s best cornerback. In fact, I think at this point he is clearly behind Marcus Peters, Phillip Gaines, and even rookie D.J. White (when healthy). Nelson is often targeted by opposing QBs when on the field, but he stepped up and made some nice plays on Sunday. Yes, he still gives up some catches here and there, but when your nickel corner can still step up and make plays like the one he did on fourth down at the end of the game you are in good shape. The Chiefs have arguably the youngest and least experienced group of corners in all the NFL but to their credit they are getting the job done. Nelson hasn’t let his past mistakes get into his head and keeps showing lots of fight out on the field. He stepped up when needed on Sunday and may have saved the win in the process.

While I would love to end the piece here, there are some bad things and some ugly things that need to be addressed.

Let’s go to “The Bad” next.

KANSAS CITY, MO – NOVEMBER 6: Quarterback Nick Foles

The Bad

Nick Foles – There was buzz online that if Nick Foles played lights out on Sunday that it might create a quarterback controversy in Kansas City. Well, at least we don’t have to worry about that! To Foles credit, he’s not afraid to throw the ball down the field and stretch the defense. That did result in a beautiful touchdown pass to Albert Wilson. He also threw an easy interception earlier that the Jags managed to drop and in general seemed to lack the accuracy to make Andy Reid’s offense work. I get that anti-Smith fans love to see more of those down field throws, but just attempting those more often doesn’t make someone a better quarterback. Foles isn’t as good as Alex Smith. Period. He certainly isn’t better than Smith at running Reid’s version of the West Coast Offense that relies on accuracy and timing. Alex Smith isn’t an exciting quarterback but he is MUCH better than Foles was on Sunday.

The Officials – I’m not a blame the officials type of fan. In fact, I usually role my eyes whenever someone starts blaming officials when talking about a game. Just to be clear, I’m not saying the officials were part of the reason this was an ugly game for the Chiefs, but it does seem like the officiating in the NFL is really struggling and inconsistent. Sometimes the calls are baffling, other times the lack of a call is baffling, and in general I think most fans walk away feeling frustrated with the situation. The no call on Travis Kelce was bad (more on Kelce in a minute) but the worst call was probably one that greatly worked in KC’s favor. Replay seemed to clearly indicate that the fumble that KC recovered in the end zone broke the plain of the goal before the fumble occurred. That play could have had a HUGE impact on the game had it gone Jacksonville’s way. It’s time for the NFL to make their officials a full time and year round position. They need to be payed well and then held accountable if their performance isn’t up to standard. The current level of officiating in the NFL simply isn’t good enough.

Now let’s get to the ugly.

KANSAS CITY, MO – NOVEMBER 6: Running back Chris Ivory

The Ugly

The Run Defense/Tackling – What is going on!?!? The Kansas City run defense has become one of the worst that I can remember in recent years. During the game I think I summed up my thoughts on the matter with this tweet:

The Jaguars ran all over the Chiefs and Jacksonville has been awful at running the ball this season. As I write this the Chiefs are giving up the sixth highest yards per game on the ground in the NFL and their yards per carry allowed is tied for the third worst. The tackling is awful. Period. Even a KC legend like Derrick Johnson is getting flat out embarrassed out there at times (and it hurts me to write that). That having been said, it’s not JUST the tackling. There are plenty of times when the ball carrier is 8-10 yards past the line of scrimmage before the Chiefs miss their first tackle. So even if they weren’t sliding off ball carriers like they were drenched in butter they would still be giving up big runs because guys aren’t filling the run gaps. The Chiefs MUST get this sured up if they want to continue having defensive success.

The Travis Kelce Ejection – Rant coming in 3…..2…..1…..

ARE YOU KIDDING ME KELCE?!?!?!?!?

I get it, you’re upset with the officiating. I just got done saying it was an issue but you have to be smarter than that. I don’t care if they missed the call. I don’t care if they missed multiple calls this week and last week that you’re pissed off about. Getting yourself kicked out of a game that is still very much in question when your team is already without all their other best offensive weapons is probably the single dumbest thing I have seen a Chiefs player do in my time as a Chiefs fan. No Alex Smith, no Jamaal Charles, no Spencer Ware, no Jeremy Maclin and you decide that it’s more important to send a message to the officials that you’re upset than to be there for your team? That’s an immature, selfish, and ultimately stupid decision that was a Steven Nelson pass break up away from possibly costing the Chiefs a win on Sunday. I love Travis Kelce but I really hope he learned a lesson from this because he was 100% wrong on this one.

Finally, a few closing thoughts.

KANSAS CITY, MO – NOVEMBER 6: Wide receiver Albert Wilson

Its important to remember that the Kansas City Chiefs are 6-2 and that’s really all that matters. There were things that were good, bad, and ugly on Sunday but somehow the Chiefs were able to walk away with the win. They did it without most of their offensive firepower and hopefully they won’t find themselves this short handed again for the rest of the season. Alex Smith will be back against the Panthers this week and there won’t be any quarterback controversy upon his return. Travis Kelce will be back on the field (assuming the NFL doesn’t suspend him for his antics). We’ll have to see about Spencer Ware and Jeremy Maclin but if they are able to contribute at all next week it will be an improvement over this week.

The really interesting question moving forward is the status of Justin Houston. Dee Ford is making a case for himself as one of the better pass rushers in the NFL this season and the thought of pairing that player with the Justin Houston we saw before the recent knee issues is down right scary for opposing quarterbacks. Will Houston be back this week? If he is will he be even close to his old self? I can’t wait to find out.

In the meantime, KC survived an ugly game and got the win. So what do you think Addicts? Do you agree with my good, bad, and ugly from this game? Would you add anything to my lists? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

As always, thanks for reading and GO CHIEFS!!!!!!!!