finn

Thanks, but facts get in the way of my prejudices so I tend to ignore them. 😃 To be clear, I'm not saying KC always get the calls, just that they get them in critical moments. For example, if it was KC kicking that field goal yesterday and Denver blocking it, a Denver player would have been flagged for being Offside. (I'll let confirmation bias take it from here.)

Offenses like KC's feast on bend but don't break defenses like the Bills. You'd think the Bills would have learned that by now. Think how much time Geno Smith, Tua, and Flacco had in the pocket and imagine Mahomes back there instead. First, he can throw it more accurately than those three; second, he can run better (albeit like a constipated duck); and three, the refs will bail him out if need be. So no sacks, no holding calls, and no punts in critical situations, since there's always DPI and roughing the passer. Playing downhill isn't a panacea, but it helps with the first two. And if they get to him fast, the refs might not have enough time to think of a penalty. (I think they sometimes throw the flag and think of a penalty afterwards.)

Is it just what I'm seeing or are more people starting to notice the Chiefs getting all the calls, especially in critical situations? If the grumbling is spreading, it might reach be a tipping point where the refs (or league, gamblers or whoever is behind the bias) realize they've gone too far and pull back at least somewhat. Even Chiefs fans have to agree that the refs are helping them win. This is not a 10-0 team.

Seasons like this one make you realize just how quirky the game is. This is not the most talented Bills team of the Allen era, yet they have the best record at this point in the season. Same with the Chiefs, who could easily be 6-4 or even 5-5. Sometimes the better teams lose via bad bounces, heroic plays by the other team, missed calls, weird weather conditions, etc., and sometimes the weaker teams win, just like 2-8 offsuit can sometimes beat pocket kings. It's just probability. I never bought the B.S. that "good teams find a way to win." That's just after-the-fact rationalization, like most post-game commentary. Seventeens games plus playoffs just isn't a big enough sample size to iron out the quirks.

Amazing. They have an all-star offense and, on paper, one of the best defenses in the league. And they'll have just three wins after today.

Yes, that is what I meant. I still hate Tom Brady, and he doesn't even play. The antipathy runs deep.

I think the whole country outside of Missouri hates that team now. They're the new Dallas.

You're forgetting the refs. It'll be roughing the pass/PI/roughing the passer/PI then a field goal for KC to win. Watch.

That Cross is a player.

You know, Rapp is really playing well this season. I keep thinking we need to upgrade both safety positions, but I think Rapp is a real asset.

I'd trade two Olivers for one Buckner.

I'll be sure to confine my comments to praise for Allen from now on. Man, that second pick was a thing of beauty, wasn't it? No hesitation on his part.

Just not up the middle, where they're getting stuffed.

Oh, sorry. I forgot observations are forbidden on the board.

Allen has had one quality throw this game, to Knox. The rest have been check-downs Skylar Thompson could make.

Well, I'll credit him for being alert, but he didn't rush effectively, and Rousseau would have recovered the fumble he caused if Hamlin hadn't. So, no, Hamlin is not off the hook yet. You blitz a safety, you got to get there, not go winging by or, as he did earlier in the game, get blocked easily. All credit to Rousseau on this one.

Agree. They just get stuck to single blocks. No juice, no movement, no push. Time to blitz.

Allen is hurried every time he drops back, while Flacco is making himself a sandwich every time.

I had the same thought.

One of the problems with playing practice squaders.

8 yards on a punt return is reasonable.

What happened to him? I missed it.

Team not prepared.

Shoot, just let one of the coaches play back there if they just want someone to eventually get to the play. Hyde simply could not play worse than this.

Well, consider they're playing with ten guys and, you know, Hamlin, who is out there as a guarantee against plays of more than 50 yards.