During Chiefs Losses, A Broken Record Plays

The Kansas City Chiefs suffered another close loss on Sunday to the Buffalo Bills. For the first time this season, Kansas City has dropped back-to-back games, though. The Chiefs are sitting at 8-5 with four games left to play. Meanwhile, the issues in this loss were not any different than prior losses for Kansas City this season. All told, a broken record continues to play throughout the Chiefs losses in 2023.

Four of the five losses this year for KC are by one score. But as the season gets deeper, the more infuriating these have become for the Chiefs. As we mentioned last week, you should not count out someone like Patrick Mahomes or Andy Reid in the playoffs. Yet, the concerning parts of this team have been evident all season long. Kansas City just has not been able to make any improvements on those. In the end, they are just not playing good football.

What were the greatest mistakes that led to this particular Chiefs loss? Let’s kick it off.

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

The Chiefs offense started slow. Their ability to come back and make things even showed some positive signs. However, this Kansas City team did what they have done in some other losses. The Chiefs had no problem being able to move the ball in certain moments. Nevertheless, finishing drives strong was still hit or miss in this contest against Buffalo.

Kansas City had to settle for a field goal in the red zone, once again, on one particular drive. At the same time, the Chiefs offense had some moments where drives stalled due to previous ailments that cost them in other games. A penalty may have wiped out a solid gain. A drop here and there also happened in some moments against the Bills, as we have seen in prior losses. In the end, the Chiefs offense continued to hinder their own progress, by shooting themselves in the foot. Getting out of their own way has been a constant hurdle. And in all of the Chiefs losses this season, KC has not been able to avoid that.

Offense Unable To String Drives Together

It was not the best of starts for the Chiefs defense. Buffalo drove right down the field for a touchdown on their second drive. But as the game got deeper, Kansas City began to get after Josh Allen, got off the field and forced some punts. There were opportunities that the Chiefs had to switch the momentum completely in their favor. They were able to get back even on the scoreboard in some moments. But when opportunities arose to possibly take control, Kansas City just could not do it.

After some scoring drives, open looks for the pass catchers and solid running plays, the Chiefs would sometimes be hurt by going for broke. Kansas City saw some drives stall by looking for routes to develop down the field that led to zero separation. Mahomes was unable to escape pressure in other situations. And on drives where Kansas City did not muster any yardage, th e Chiefs were unable to get into any rhythm with their attack.

Lack Of Awareness Costing Chiefs

We have seen issues like penalties, turnovers or drops costing the Chiefs in all of their losses. And sure, those were prevalent, once more. However, an aspect that was much more evident in this loss, was the lack of awareness from the Chiefs. There were snaps where Mahomes was yelling at guys to get in the right spot and to get set. Kansas City failed to be on the same page in post-snap on some offensive play calls, to boot. On the other hand, there were times where targeted pass catchers were not ready or aware that the ball was traveling their way.

We of course had a similar situation to last week at Green Bay. The Chiefs were given a chance to change things at the end of the game, late in the fourth quarter. Though, simple things like knowing where to be on the field cost the Chiefs. Kansas City also had a lack of urgency to get themselves spaced out throughout the route concepts. And most concerningly, the Chiefs offense was unable to pick each other up and take advantage of what the KC defense did for them late. That lack of cohesion made everything even more disjointed.