Bizarre Chiefs Decision Proves Coaching Staff Doesn't Trust Harrison Butker After Injury

The Kansas City Chiefs are rolling and officially clinched the top AFC seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs on Christmas. Now, they can rest their starters in Week 18 and have an additional time off with the first-round bye. Considering their tight schedule in recent weeks, this was a godsend for the Chiefs.

Improving to 15-1, however, doesn't mean the Chiefs don't have problems heading into the postseason. In fact, questions surrounding Harrison Butker and kicking reached new heights during the win over the Steelers.

First, Butker missed his second extra-point attempt of the season after Kansas City's first touchdown. He then converted a 32-yard field goal in the second half but it was obvious that the coaching staff didn't trust him with any kicks over 40 yards.

In the first half, the Chiefs decided to punt on a 4th-and-11 situation from the Pittsburgh 40-yard line. Instead of kicking a 57-yard field goal, Andy Reid uncharacteristically sent the punt unit out.

Butker has hit 60+ yard field goals in each of his previous two seasons. Kicks over 55 yards are generally not a concern for the veteran kicker. However, since coming back from the arthroscopic surgery that landed him on the IR list in November, things haven't been the same for Butker.

In his first game back against the Browns, Butker missed a 29-yard attempt. During the kick, his knee clearly buckled under him and his mechanics looked off. Since then, the 29-year-old hasn't attempted a field goal over 50 yards.

So far, this has not come back to bite the Chiefs. In the postseason, when the margins are so small, however, it could. The Chiefs can't afford to have Butker's struggles affect playcalling. This will be one of the primary issues Kansas City has to solve between now and their first playoff matchup. Fortunately for them, they will have plenty of time to figure it out.

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