The Enemy Can Answer These 5 Questions: Arrowhead Pride’s Tom Childs talks about the Bengals chiefs.
The top seed in the AFC would be up for grabs between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs when Week 17 of the NFL schedule was revealed each year. Even though it has not happened yet, both clubs will be significantly impacted by this game in the playoffs.
We spoke with Tom Childs at SB Nation’s Arrowhead Pride to get his thoughts on the Kansas City Chiefs before of their big game against the Cincinnati Bengals. This is our conversation:
1.) AC My first one has several facets: Greg Cosell, a reputable expert on NFL video, has observed that Patrick Mahomes is not seeing the field the same as he used to and that he is not doing well on “second reaction throws.” No.1, are you in agreement with that feeling? And in regards to Nos. 2 and 3, is it more the fault of Mahomes or the supporting group not doing their share of the work?
In my opinion, Patrick Mahomes has recently turned into a quarterback who should be read and left alone. But I do not think he is been acting this way the entire season. The Chiefs’ offensive line held up well in pass protection at the start of the season, but the wide outs were not finding openings.
The offensive line can barely maintain coverage for a few seconds these days, while some wide receivers are still unable to break through. Consider the Raiders’ performance from last week! The Raiders may have been the best squad to ever play the Chiefs in my opinion. Knowing that the Chiefs had no real deep threat and that the offensive line would not hold up, they challenged everyone to win early. Though it was a great concept, it resulted in Mahomes’ lowest EPA per drive performance of the season.
This is not to argue that Mahomes is at blame for the Chiefs’ offense deteriorating to the point where it is at most mediocre. He has occasionally exhibited weak technique and made questionable decisions, which alarmed many scouts when he was leaving Texas Tech.
Isiah Pacheco appears to be healthy after suffering a concussion last week. All I can hope for is that he will finally tighten his chin strap after taking a knee to the back of the skull. However, I still anticipate Clyde to play a significant role, even if Pacheco does leave.
To be completely honest, I was a major supporter of the Chiefs selecting Clyde in the 2020 selection. He was, as you said, a versatile running back who appeared to have the potential to follow in the footsteps of a long line of accomplished Chiefs running backs.
Sadly, Clyde has never really been able to establish himself. While injuries have played a role, his inability to establish himself has caused him to drop down the depth chart in his first three years of play.
As he is currently viewed as the backup running back, behind Pacheco and McKinnon, his performance has improved because fewer expectations are placed on him. This year, he has rushed with purpose, recognized opportunities in the run game, and, of course, demonstrated the hands for which he was known at LSU.
Given the upcoming heavier workload and the Chiefs’ likely increased reliance on the run and screen game, I believe—okay, hope—that Clyde will have a mini-breakout performance.
3.) Putting Taylor Swift aside, what would you say was Travis Kelce’s 2023 season like? Although his yards (968) and receptions (90) are still rather high, his touchdown totals from the previous season are significantly lower, and his yards per reception are down by over two yards from his pro average. Is it true that he has attracted more attention and filled in for wide receiver inconsistency, or is the 11-year tight end finally starting to show signs of aging?
I believe that despite the numbers, everyone will agree that Travis Kelce’s season has been incredibly frustrating. And no, Taylor Swift has nothing to do with it, in my opinion.
There have been increased expectations for Kelce, understandably, given the current state of the receivers. He is Travis Kelce, after all. One may argue that he and Mahomes are among the all-time great tandems. Those two must be the ones who can help the Chiefs overcome their current slump, am I right?
False?
Like every other member of the Chiefs squad, Kelce has a history of paying insufficient attention to detail. Fumbles, dropped passes, and, more lately, offensive pass interference penalties have all been witnessed.
He still has the capacity to be open, and his health appears to be adequate. Perhaps the only thing lacking in him, like in everyone else, is accountability.
Rashee Rice is the only viable response. No one else is possible. The problems with Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes, and the offensive line have already been covered. In addition, everyone and their aunts is aware of how awful Skyy Moore, Valdes-Scantling, and Kadirius Toney have been.
Noah Gray is the only other player that might be worthy of recognition, although even when compared to Rice, Gray’s impact has been little.
The only offensive players on the Chiefs that will have any redeeming qualities will be Rice and Gray if their season ends badly, as I believe it will. Though obnoxious, it took Andy Reid and Matt Nagy a little longer than the rest of us to figure out that Rice was superior to his contemporaries. However, Rice’s recent snap counts have increased with each passing week as he has made more of an impression while the other wide receivers have completely destroyed their reputations.
His 811 yards and 7 touchdowns are quite an accomplishment. If he had been given a larger role early in the season, just think of the stat line that might have resulted.
Over the past four years, one of my favorite encounters has been visiting Cincy Jungle once a season. I have appreciated coming over here and leading with a little smack talk, just like Ja’Marr Chase. Some of you may recall my comment from last season about being the “annoying little brother,” which sparked an especially entertaining comments section. All a part of the competition.
There is none of that in this matchup.
These two clubs are not going to win the Super Bowl. Without Joe Burrow, the Bengals will not make it out of the AFC, and the Chiefs’ present offensive line of failure makes it impossible for them to win the Super Bowl.
The game on Sunday will prove this.
I anticipate that this will be among the most offensively ugly games I have witnessed since Christmas Day. Lou Anarumo will be successful against Mahomes once more, and the Chiefs defense will keep being amazing.
Believe that the Chiefs will barely get it through, but the Bengals will almost definitely win the game. There is little doubt that this matchup between these two clubs will not be the classic that we are accustomed to.
Next season will have to see the return of the true rivalry.
We appreciate the conversation with Arrowhead Pride and Tom Childs. Visit their website to see the other side of the debate.
