Fansided

Chiefs, Steelers heating up while Seahawks faltering

By Matt Williamson

Dec 8, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) evades the tackle of Oakland Raiders fullback Jamize Olawale (49) during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 8, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) evades the tackle of Oakland Raiders fullback Jamize Olawale (49) during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers are looking dangerous, while the Seattle Seahawks have real problems without Earl Thomas.

We are coming down the home stretch of the NFL regular season and the battles for playoff spots remain as competitive and intriguing as ever. After an excellent slate of late-season games in Week 14, here are several things that stood out.

Going all the way back to Thursday Night Football, Kansas City made a bit of a statement to the rest of the league that it is not to be taken lightly. Andy Reid has won a lot of games in this league and his Chiefs have won 20 of their last 23 contests. They now have an abundance of playmakers not only on the defensive side of the ball, something we have become accustomed to, but also on offense.

Tyreek Hill is more than just a gimmick player. He is a difference-maker, while Travis Kelce is having the best season of any tight end in the NFL. Kelce is now the straw that stirs the drink in Kansas City’s passing game, but this group also should have a healthier Jeremy Maclin going forward.

Derrick Johnson will be missed without question, but no team in the league has a trio of edge pass-rushers like Justin Houston, Dee Ford and Tamba Hali to go with Eric Berry and Marcus Peters on the back end. While this was certainly a highly impressive win over a very good Raiders team, the question is if the Chiefs formula is sustainable. Derek Carr is clearly bothered by his finger injury on his throwing hand right now and Oakland missed two sure-fire touchdown throws where the receiver should have walked into the end zone.

But like the Vikings found out very early in the season, counting on defensive and special teams touchdowns is very difficult to do in this league and that was the fourth game out of the last five in which Kansas City has scored a non-offensive touchdown. This isn’t to take anything away from what the Chiefs are doing and clearly they are a high-quality team, but dig a little deeper and there is some reason for concern if it is maintainable.

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