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Many people had high hopes for the Kansas City Chiefs coming into the 2013 season, despite their 2-14 record from a season ago. But when you bring in a head coach like Andy Reid and you upgrade with a new quarterback like Alex Smith, that’s to be expected. At the same time, not many people had the Chiefs pegged to start out 2013 with three straight victories. But after a convincing win against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night Football, that’s exactly where the new-look Chiefs stand.
So how have they done it?
For starters, it’s clear that Reid has changed the culture in KC. The team he took over wasn’t really lacking in talent, it was a team that needed a change and someone to properly utilize the players on the roster. Reid’s been around long enough and he has a proven record as a winner – players respect that. So he clearly has this KC team bought in to what he’s selling.
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As far as their play on the field is concerned, it’s been fairly well-balanced. Through the first three games, the Chiefs have gained 1,000 yards of total offense. They’ve gained 618 through the air and another 382 on the ground. On the defensive side of the ball, they’ve got to the quarterback on 14 occasions. Justin Houston has led the way with 6.5 sacks of his own.
But perhaps the most important stat of them all for the Chiefs in 2013, they currently have a turnover ratio of +9. Long story short, the Chiefs aren’t shooting themselves in the foot and they’re playing well on both sides of the ball. That’s always been a recipe for success in the NFL.
KC will now have an extra few days to prepare for their week four matchup at home against the New York Giants.
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