For the past handful of years, we have become accustomed to the Kansas City Chiefs being a buttoned-up team on both sides of the ball, and more importantly, coming through in the clutch in the fourth quarter.
But this year, after being bulletproof in one-score games (12-0), the Chiefs are now 1-6 in those situations. That was the case against the Dallas Cowboys, as self-inflicted wounds plagued the Chiefs in the 31-28 loss.
One thing being pointed out is the drops down the stretch, with Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce seeing big chances go through their hands.
But for head coach Andy Reid, he's not worried about the drops; it's the costly penalties he wants cleaned up.
"We've got to take care of the penalty part of it," Reid said. "Get that taken care of, these things are happening at crucial times, and it takes you out of a flow, you're first-and-15, first-and-20, it takes you out of your run game stuff, or whatever you have going at that time that's sending you forwards, now you're going backwards."
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Penalties becoming a huge problem for Chiefs
The Chiefs currently rank 10th in penalties with 86 on the year, but here is where things go south when looking at the past five weeks.
Of the Chiefs' 86 total penalties, a whopping 39 have come in those last five weeks.
With nine, three, 10, seven and 10 penalties, the Chiefs are 2-3 in those games.
Reid knows those penalty issues are hindering his team, and it is the most critical thing the team has to get a handle on, because, given their current state, Kansas City can't afford to consistently be behind the sticks.
As things stand, the Chiefs are set to have their most penalties in a season since 2021.
In 2024, the Chiefs totaled 94 penalties; in 2023, 96; and in 2022, 87. In 2021, they committed 111 penalties.
So it is a big problem, and one Reid knows has to get fixed. And fast.
More Chiefs news:
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- Updated chances for Kansas City to make 2025 NFL postseason in Week 13
- Rashee Rice sends big dare to Chiefs Kingdom after loss to Cowboys
- Patrick Mahomes shares harsh reality regarding Chiefs' playoff hopes