3 things Chiefs need to improve on in 2023
The Kansas City Chiefs need to improve three things to be the first team to repeat as Super Bowl champions since the New England Patriots in 2005.The Chiefs almost did it in 2020. The 2019 Super Bowl was amazing, and it was special. It was the first time in 50 years they won the Super […]
The Kansas City Chiefs need to improve three things to be the first team to repeat as Super Bowl champions since the New England Patriots in 2005.
The Chiefs almost did it in 2020. The 2019 Super Bowl was amazing, and it was special. It was the first time in 50 years they won the Super Bowl, and that bled over into the next year. Sure, the Chiefs still went back to the Super Bowl, but they got badly outplayed in the big game.
They will try to make it back to the Super Bowl this year but finish it on the winning side. To do so, they have to improve in three areas. And you may be asking yourself, how does the best team in football, a team on the verge of a dynasty, improve? Well, everyone can improve, and here is how the Chiefs can:
What the Chiefs need to fix
1. Defensive consistency
The defense wasn't bad last year. In fact, it was some of the best defense we have seen from this team in some time. However, it wasn't consistently good. They played extremely well against good team, but often times looked lack luster against the teams they should have no problem with.
They only held two teams under 20 points, and gave up 33 to the Houston Texans, and even let the Indianapolis Colts score 20 and beat the Chiefs. But when they played some really good teams, their defense was stout. It has to be more consistent.
With the pieces they have added this offseason, and also adding in the development of the rookies from last year, this defense should be much better. It's already better on paper, but now they have to put it all together.
2. Be more diverse using the run game
The Chiefs are known as an offense that does a lot of crazy things. They use shovel passes, used full backs in the past, and even run some wildcat stuff occasionally. However, one thing they have also been notorious for is passing the ball a ton.
The Chiefs don't run the ball a lot, and a lot of that is because you want the ball in your best players hands – Patrick Mahomes. They also haven't had a running back who is built for a lot of carries throughout a season. Now they do.
Kansas City finished 20th in rushing yards per game last season. When Pacheco became the full time starter, it opened up so much more in the offense. If you are more diverse, then it's harder to figure out what your next move is. Pacheco is a beast, and he almost had 1,000 yards rushing after not starting the first few games of the season. Give it to him and watch him work, just like you did in the playoffs and Super Bowl.
3. Special teams has to be better (ALL PHASES)
The Chiefs have never really been a bad special teams group, until last season. Even last year they weren't terrible, as there were definitely some teams who were worse, but they made a lot of mistakes. You had the fumbling issue on punts, the missed field goals followed by drama with a former Chiefs punter; it just wasn't good.
Special teams coordinator Dave Toub has been so since 2013 with the Chiefs, and there is a reason he has been there that long. He is one of the best in the business, so, while last year was bad, I don't really see it happening again.
Punt return, kick return, kickoff, field goal kicks, and punts all need to be better. The Chiefs have one of the best kickers and punters in the league, both who are All-Pros, so, it's kind of unacceptable.
These issues aren't easy to fix by any means, but they need to be. If there is any team who can correct the things that need to be corrected, it's Andy Reid and the Chiefs. There is a reason they are starting to be called a dynasty. Fixing these things would guarantee improvement, making it easier to repeat as Super Bowl champions.
Chiefs: Dave Toub make a big prediction on special teams for 2023 season
The Kansas City Chiefs are looking to improve in one huge area right out of the gates according to one of their coaches.
Featured Image Via Robert Scheer/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
