The Kansas City Chiefs may have the worst special teams unit in the entire league. It’s been a headache for fans all season, and could cost them in the postseason.
As things currently stand, Kansas City holds the No. 2 seed in the AFC Playoffs. Per the new format, they would not receive a first-round bye, but will play host to the No. 7 Wild Card team.
It’s not a bad gig, as any underdog coming to Arrowhead Stadium will face a major test. Patrick Mahomes and Co. rarely lose in the first round of the playoffs. However, they’ve rarely had such a glaring weakness that can come back to bite them.
No matter who the Chiefs put back to return punts — whether it be Skyy Moore, Mecole Hardman or even Kadarius Toney — they just can’t seem to hold onto the ball. It happened again on Sunday against the Denver Broncos.
#Chiefs WR Kadarius Toney fumbles the punt return & it's recovered by the #Broncos. #ChiefsKingdom #BroncosCountry pic.twitter.com/ZMYNiTtD62
— Devon Clements (@DevclemNFL) January 1, 2023
What’s wrong with the Kansas City Chiefs special teams?
In theory, the players Kansas City has employed as the main punt return specialist are dangerous with the ball in their hands. However, Moore had very little experience returning punts. Hardman and Toney do, though, and ought to not suffer from the same fumbling plague.
At some point, the special teams coordinator needs to take blame. Dave Toub is a veteran, but any time special teams is noticed by fans, it’s rarely a good thing. This season, it’s arguably cost them games against the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals — losses that could come back to haunt them. One look at the standings — in which they have the same record as the No. 1 seed Buffalo Bills — will confirm that.
Can't blame Skyy Moore for that one
— Adam Teicher (@adamteicher) January 1, 2023
Guys.. I don’t think Skyy Moore was the problem. Special teams has been all around awful all year.
— Farzin Vousoughian (@Farzin21) January 1, 2023
Turnover aside, Kadarius Toney is going to be a very positive asset for this offense for the next few years.
— Arrowhead Addict (@ArrowheadAddict) January 1, 2023
Special teams turnovers strike again. Seemed like Kadarius Toney was the solution to that problem.
— Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) January 1, 2023
Kadarius Toney fumbled the ball and now denver is in the redzone. Fumbled on the punt. He did not muff the punt.
— Chiefs Hive (@chiefshive) January 1, 2023
Yikes. Now, Kadarius Toney fumbles the punt return, Broncos recover at the Chiefs' 16-yard line.
— Herbie Teope (@HerbieTeope) January 1, 2023
Turnovers, man.
Turnovers will forever haunt the Chiefs, as the only opponent who can stop KC is, arguably, themselves.
