5 issues we realized from the Chiefs getting out of Denver wholesome

Here’s a conspiracy concept for all you tin foil hat-wearing aficionados on the market.

The Chiefs by no means flew to Denver.

The best way this concept goes, when the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs arrived at Kansas Metropolis Worldwide Airport on Saturday afternoon and realized their aircraft was grounded because of the winter storm that hit the Kansas Metropolis space over the weekend, they referred to as it quits and circled and went dwelling, opting as an alternative to ship Nearly Andy Reid and a neighborhood troop of highschool thespians to behave like they had been taking part in soccer of their place, even going so far as hiring look-alikes of quarterback Patrick Mahomes and defensive lineman Chris Jones to face on the sideline to assist promote con to the tv cameras.

Both that — or the Chiefs rolled into Empower Area at Mile Excessive on Sunday and gifted the Denver Broncos their first playoff beginning in practically a decade by resting most of their starters and deploying essentially the most milquetoast gameplan within the historical past of soccer to ensure they’re wholesome for the playoffs — letting the Broncos blow them out 38-0.

I’ll allow you to resolve which storyline you need to embrace as your reality.

It’s onerous to study something from a sport the Chiefs weren’t attempting to win, however listed below are 5 issues we realized getting this sport out of the best way:

1. Carson Wentz ain’t your Huckleberry

Picture by Matthew Stockman/Getty Photographs

Regardless of the Chiefs’ offensive line resembling 5 air dancers flailing their arms at passing defenders en path to pressuring backup quarterback Carson Wentz, Wentz did nothing to instill confidence in his skills that, if referred to as upon, he could lead on the Chiefs’ offense to victory.

I do know it’s not completely his fault the offense was ineffective. He didn’t have a lot to work with, however he didn’t do something with the little given to him, both. He missed chunk of throws to the few open receivers he did have all through the sport.

Two years in the past, when Patrick Mahomes was injured in opposition to the Jacksonville Jaguars within the Divisional Spherical Playoff sport, backup Chad Henne got here in, and no person panicked as a result of we knew Hennething was doable — the Chiefs went on to win that sport, 27-20, because of Henne’s postseason heroics.

If one thing comparable had been to occur this 12 months, I might perceive if all of us collectively sighed and stated, “Welp, the hopes of a three-peat just went right out the window.”

2. Talking of the air dancers…

Picture by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Put up

It was good to get left sort out DJ Humphries some reps forward of the playoffs so he may knock the rust off. However placing him subsequent to rookie offensive lineman Kingsley Suamataia didn’t do him any favors. Suamataia struggled to maneuver inside to left guard on this sport, and the problems snowballed down the road because the Chiefs acquired their developmental linemen some precious expertise, even when it wasn’t completely fairly.

This is how Chiefs are lining up on OL in warmups from left to proper: Humphries, Suamataia, Nourzad, Hanson, Morris.

Suamataia at left guard

— Adam Teicher (@adamteicher) January 5, 2025

Getting them within the sport was good, however the product was not enjoyable to look at.

If something. it highlights one thing we’ve recognized for many of the season: the Chiefs have little depth alongside the road, particularly at sort out. Strengthening this ought to be job primary within the offseason.

3. One thing shouldn’t be proper with Butker

Picture by Matthew Stockman/Getty Photographs

I don’t know what it’s. Chiefs particular groups coordinator Dave Toub stated placekicker Harrison Butker is totally wholesome, but when that’s true, then one thing else is off.

Certain, Butker missed two subject targets and a point-after try (PAT) earlier this season earlier than injuring his knee, and no person blinked an eye fixed. However each of these missed subject targets had been over 50 yards.

Butker missed one other subject aim in Denver.

Whereas the kick he missed on this sport was additionally over 50 yards, and if this kick occurred in a vacuum, and if Butker had not missed important time as a consequence of harm, and if it didn’t come on the again of him additionally lacking a PAT and a subject aim that was beneath 30 yards, then… we may most likely look previous it.

However given the truth that the stakes are larger than ever from right here on out, and the margins of error are razor skinny, the Chiefs want Butker’s leg locked and loaded with out worrying if they will depend on him when the chips are down.

4. Justin Reid and Trent McDuffie are the glue of the secondary

Picture by Joe Sargent/Getty Photographs

Just like the offensive line, the depth of the Chiefs’ secondary has been a degree of rivalry all through the season, however issues have been wanting up in latest weeks. Nevertheless, with out cornerback Trent McDuffie and security Justin Reid within the lineup to solidify the secondary, Nazeeh Johnson, Chamarri Conner and firm performed a really philanthropic model of move protection. Serving to Denver broad receiver Courtland Sutton line his pocket with an additional 500,000 bones.

It’s not completely their fault. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo saved his playing cards near his chest and performed a reasonably vanilla protection that was simple to maneuver the ball in opposition to.

5. Stage one of many mission is completed

Picture by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Put up

The primary aim in the present day was to stroll out of Denver wholesome. Conner left the sport with a collarbone harm, however after the sport, Andy Reid confirmed that X-rays had been unfavourable, and he ought to be fantastic.

The common season is over, and the Chiefs have completed each aim so far. They give the impression of being primed to develop into the primary group to three-peat as Tremendous Bowl champions.

Strap in Kansas Metropolis. We’ve got just a few weeks to attend, however issues are about to get enjoyable. The highway to Tremendous Bowl LIX runs by means of Kansas Metropolis, and the Chiefs maintain their very own future of their palms.

Three extra wins till immortality.