KC Chiefs: What Went Wrong in AFC Divisional Round

The KC Chiefs fell short of making it to the AFC Championship Game. What went wrong in the AFC Divisional Round? The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t beat the Kansas City Chiefs… The Chiefs simply beat themselves.

First off, let me say that despite the outcome of what happened last night, I am still really proud of our Chiefs team this year. Yes, I am sad and disappointed like the rest of you in Chiefs Kingdom, but let’s put this in perspective.

This is the first time since 2010 that Kansas City has hosted a playoff game. In one of my previous posts, I mentioned the KC Chiefs have been in the playoffs three out of four years under the current regime of John Dorsey and Andy Reid. I will take that kind of stability any day.

Unfortunately, I was right about Sunday’s game getting a name. It is one of those deals where I wish I wasn’t right. The new name for this game, at least for KC Chiefs fans, is “The Eric Fisher Hold Game.” This game will sting Kansas City for a long time.

I believe, and hope, that this crushing loss for the Kansas City Chiefs will be kindling on the proverbial fire for entire the organization like the KC Royals were in 2014.

Don’t get me wrong though. Eric Fisher didn’t lose the game for the Chiefs, though it sure didn’t help when they could have tied the game. That penalty, however, didn’t lose the game for the Chiefs.

It was the constant offensive penalties that really crushed Kansas City’s hopes. Every time the Chiefs would get something positive going offensively for themselves, they would commit a penalty and then third and short became third and long. That right there is the main reason the Chiefs lost to the Steelers

“Playoff Alex Smith” was surprisingly a no-show after the first drive, and didn’t decide to show back up until the last drive. Smith missed a couple of opportunities with a wide open Tyreek Hill. Smith also over-threw a critical pass to Jeremy Maclin that should have been an easy catch if Smith hadn’t over thrown it. Both just brutal misses by the veteran quarterback.

The KC defense wasn’t pretty at all, but they managed to hold the Steelers to only 18 points on six field goals.

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If this was the regular season, I would probably say that was a win in itself.

Holding the Steelers, who are debatably the best offense in the AFC, to only field goals and no touchdowns is a pretty good accomplishment. Unfortunately, that is also what makes it so bittersweet in this loss.

Some fans will consider this season a failure because the team lost and the Chiefs have historically choked in the playoffs.

I believe, and hope, that this crushing loss for the Kansas City Chiefs will be kindling on the proverbial fire for entire the organization like the KC Royals were in 2014. The Royals used the loss in the World Series in 2014 as motivation for the next year, and we all know how that turned out.

Once again we have to keep the faith and hope that motivating factor comes into play for the 2017 season.

Speaking of the Royals, there are only have 28 days until pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training! So at least we have that to look forward to. Trying to cheer everyone up here.

Next: Good, Bad, Ugly Vs Steelers

On a personal note: I blame my friend Alex Holiday for once again attending the game and just with his mere presence alone is enough for the football gods to jinx the Chiefs to make them lose. This is all on you Al!!

At the end of the day, this loss sucks, but I have faith that the KC Chiefs will come back stronger than ever in 2017.

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