By HCR Staff | Nov. 19, 2019
Here’s what we saw in the Kansas City Chiefs victory over the Los Angeles Chargers last night.
Andy Reid’s end of the game coaching still needs work. The Chiefs were presented two opportunities beginning with just over six minutes left in the game to tack on three points and ice the game last night, but both drives failed. As a result, the Chargers had two additional opportunities to tie the game. In short, the Chiefs still haven’t demonstrated that they have a four-minute offense, and that falls on head coach Andy Reid. The play-calling was uninspired, but to be fair, Reid has been dealing with multiple injuries across his offensive line, and speedy wide receiver Tyreek Hill also left the game early with a hamstring injury. Reid’s done a good job to get his squad to 7-4, but if they are to advance deep into the playoffs, they’ll have to develop an end of the game killer instinct.
The Chargers have been sloppy all season long, and it showed in last night’s loss. The Chargers entered this season with enough talent to compete in the AFC West. Of course, they had to deal with running back Melvin Gordon’s early-season hold out, and injuries to left tackle Russell Okung and safety Derwin James, but there still was enough depth on the roster to make a good run at a divisional title. The problem with the Chargers simply has been sloppy play. The execution has been lacking all season, and that falls on head coach Anthony Lynn. All seven of their losses have been one score games, and better execution could have flipped all seven of them. A season-long issue has been the uneven play of quarterback Philip Rivers. He’s been undisciplined all season, and since the Chargers have never drafted a quarterback to prevent against any complacency on Rivers’ part, Rivers never is in danger of being benched. That circumstance creates an environment for a lack of accountability, and that is going to be a significant organizational matter for the Chargers to confront in this offseason.
Offensively, Andy Reid has done a good job of distributing the ball. The Chiefs have an embarrassment of riches at the skill positions. There is a lot of explosion, and numerous players are home run hitters. One thing that we believe Andy Reid has done really well over the past two seasons is ball distribution among this talented group. Reid’s ability to do this keeps opposing defensive coordinators on their toes, and all of his players interested in the game as well. Reid did a good job last night adjusting once WR Tyreek Hill went out of the game early in the first quarter. For example, he dialed down the home run shots, and generally had QB Patrick Mahomes take what the Chargers were giving him.
Chargers defensive coordinator Gus Bradley continues to perform well–he may get another shot at a head coaching job. The Chargers defense really only allowed 17 points last night, as one of the touchdowns surrendered was on a very short field after an offensive turnover. Obviously, much of the credit for the defense of performance this year goes to defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. The Chargers’ defensive situational play generally is good, and they have played with consistent energy all year. While he had a terrible experience as a rookie head coach in Jacksonville, we feel he make get another shot this offseason. He’ll at least generate an interview or two in our view, and he certainly has gained more experience.
