Kansas City Chiefs: Andy Reid Must Be Considered For, and Win, Coach of the Year

As we get through the midway point of the 2014 NFL season, the discussion for league awards begin to heat up alongside which teams will reach the playoffs. Outside linebacker Justin Houston is likely the only player on the Kansas City Chiefs who will represent the team as a candidate for a league award, more specifically for Defensive Player of the Year.

However, Andy Reid proved after Sunday’s big win over Seattle that he deserves serious consideration for Coach of the Year. In fact, because of the improvement the Chiefs have made, Reid should be the Coach of the Year.

Following a disastrous loss in the season opener to the Tennessee Titans, I conducted a poll in an article asking fans where they stand with the team and 44 percent, including me, wrote the Chiefs off.

The Chiefs had an utterly discouraging preseason. The first-team offense failed to score a touchdown in the preseason and started off on the wrong foot when quarterback Alex Smith threw three interceptions to kick off 2014. The Chiefs fell just short of pulling off an upset against the Denver Broncos in Week 2, forcing the Chiefs to go 0-2 to start off the season.

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According to the Business Insider in an article earlier this year, teams that have started off a season 0-2 since 1990 have just a 12 percent shot at making the playoffs.

To deplete Kansas City’s hopes and chances of a turnaround, the Chiefs went into Week 3 without nine starters due to mostly injuries and one suspension.

But the historic statistic for 0-2 teams and the injuries were not going to hold Reid back from continuing to coach his team with 14 games remaining. In fact, the Chiefs began to manufacture chemistry and found ways to win.

Kansas City pulled out a win in Week 3 against Miami on the road, hoping that it would be a start in the right direction. The Chiefs then toppled the Patriots at home on Monday Night Football. Although the Chiefs fell to 2-3 after a close loss to the 49ers, the Chiefs fought back and have not lost since then.

They came away with big key wins against the Chargers, Bills and most recently the defending Super Bowl champions, the Seahawks.

After going 0-2, Reid has guided the Chiefs to seven wins in their last eight games, and the team currently rides a five-game winning streak.

Even though this is Reid’s second season, he’s already had to do a lot to try to lift the Chiefs. In his first year, the Chiefs started 9-0 after going 2-14 the previous season.

This year, Reid faced the challenge of trying to get his players to overcome an 0-2 deficit.

Reid admitted his mistake the first time when he did not give the football enough to his best player in running back Jamaal Charles. Reid made the same mistake again in Week 5 against San Francisco. Since then, Reid avoided making the same mistake a third time, making Charles active and an important part of the offense.

Now, the Chiefs find themselves standing at 7-3 and tied for first place with the Denver Broncos in the AFC West. Because of Reid, the Chiefs are in position to finish the season very well, and it is highly likely they reach the postseason. Now, the Chiefs are legitimate contenders in winning the AFC West, despite the lackluster start.

Since his arrival in 2013, Reid has revamped the franchise. With a stimulating schedule this year, Reid got his players to buy in, fight back and get back to be in the hunt to make the playoffs.

Despite losing safety Eric Berry for part of the season, Kansas City’s defense managed to play at a high level. With a lot of unknowns in the secondary, the Chiefs rank first in the league against the pass. In addition, Kansas City’s defense has allowed the second-fewest points in the league.

The Chiefs have also been strong on third and fourth downs. The defense has allowed opposing teams to convert on third down only 35 percent of the time, tying for a league best, while allowing only four conversions out of 14 attempts on fourth down.

Offensively, Charles has been more active as Reid has made sure he has earned more touches, preventing the error he made twice. In addition, tight end Travis Kelce has played well after missing his rookie season. Running backs Knile Davis and De’Anthony Thomas have had bigger roles to help the offense, even as backups. Quarterback Alex Smith has been one of the more reliable quarterbacks in the league, throwing just one interception since Week 2.

The Chiefs own the third-best conversion percentage, moving the chains 48 percent of the time. They are also one of the more mature teams in the NFL, committing 45 penalties, the second-fewest in the league.

There is still room for improvement, especially against the run and with the wide receivers. For now, the Chiefs have respect from plenty of people around the league.

Kansas City is one of the hottest teams in the NFL right now and is playing smart football. Reid made some errors early on in the season, but he made changes in the way he coaches in addition to helping his players perform better on the field. Because of this, Reid’s name must be in the mix for Coach of the Year. By the time the season is over and awards are handed out, don’t be surprised if Reid receives several Coach of the Year accolades.

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