How the Chiefs treat ugly wins as lessons for sustained greatness in the NFL.

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Despite their dominance and 11-1 record, the Kansas City Chiefs face mounting doubts due to inconsistent performances, defensive struggles.

and a left tackle dilemma, raising questions about their readiness to maintain their dynasty.

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Despite countless references to their existence and numerous stories of their lore, no one quite knows the specifics of the “football gods. My own theory states that they are Vince Lombardi, George Halas, Tom Landry, and the most recent candidate, Bill Belichick. Football’s four fathers would have the strongest campaigns but gods aren’t elected.

 

 

In all actuality, these “gods” are probably a group of unknown executives and commissioners meeting in the darkest room of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Whomever they actually are, they have decided that this era of the Kansas City Chiefs will rarely lose.

Obviously, that’s not a bad thing on its face.

Winning games leads to playoff qualification and more winning leads to perks within these capabilities like home-field advantage.

The Chiefs’ routine involves all of the necessary prerequisites with the exception of weekly domination of clearly lesser opponents.

 

The 11-1 Chiefs face doubts over inconsistencies and challenges despite their dominance.

 

That’s also not such a bad thing if you dig a quarter-inch deeper.

Defensive tackle Chris Jones mentioned the adversity that true, elite contenders will go through in the playoffs.

Aside from the frigid Wild Card game, all of the Chiefs’ playoff games were one-score, road (or neutral site) decisions.

Kansas City has built that late-game muscle better than nearly anyone in history.

So why were there so many reports coming from Charlotte that players were frustrated after a seemingly conventional win in their newfound style.

Why do the Raiders doing the most “Raiders” thing in the world to lose a game feel relieving.

Why aren’t the Chiefs the Chiefs?

Alright, they are 11-1 and clinched a playoff spot already, so the Chiefs are still the Chiefs, so the overreaction from some fans and most of the media is exactly that: an overreaction.

Where the concern lies is with the defense’s slide over the last few weeks.

After going to overtime with Tampa, Kansas City has won on a blocked field goal, allowed 30 points for the first time in 30 games in Buffalo, granted Bryce Young’s career resurgence.

and let Aidan O’Connell move the ball in key moments, which is the biggest crime of all.

Steve Spagnuolo is endowed with the same get-your-s–t-together gene as the quarterback.

so I have hope in the only four-time Super Bowl champion on the team (currently).

The left tackle situation should be fixed with D.J. Humphries’ pending debut.

Frankly after Wanya Morris’ lame performance against Vegas’ pass rushers, Humphries is probably the last hope for a formidable solution to the positional issues.

Patrick Mahomes’ blind side is the sole problem moving forward which could be a season-ender.

If the Chiefs hadn’t won the Super Bowl after actually losing games last year, a first-round exit would and should be predicted.

They won the Big Game, though.

They stood in the face of legitimate adversity and prevailed.

so what happens when they don’t have any real adversity to face?

The Chiefs are treating the closest of wins against the worst opponents as bona fide losses.

That is the only way you can deal with your first-dworld problems and still climb the mountain.

The Chiefs’ crown is ridiculously heavy and they have to remove a ruby or two to lighten the load and remain the dominant kings they are.