Kansas City Chiefs: 4 Issues KC Must Address During Bye Week

The Kansas City Chiefs have picked themselves up after a tedious 0-3 start to the season. The Chiefs have won two games back-to-back and are now third in the AFC West. (Though keep in mind, the Chiefs won against teams with a combined 1-9 record.)

Kansas City's next game is a big one as they visit the Oakland Raiders after their bye week. If the Chiefs come away with the victory against the Raiders, they could take second place in the division, depending on how the Raiders do in Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns.

So, with a three-game winning streak on the line, what do the Chiefs need to accomplish before their next game and biggest test of the season? Here are four significant issues the team must address.

The Chiefs Must Get off to a Better Start

The Chiefs have had issues in the first half since the season-opening kickoff.

Dexter McCluster fumbled the opening kickoff to the Buffalo Bills, the Bills took advantage, and they put the Chiefs in the rear-view mirror.

The Chiefs have trailed their opponents at the half with a combined score of 85-31 and have had the halftime lead only once this season.

Had the Chiefs gotten off to a better start against the San Diego Chargers, the final result may be different and KC could be leading the division with a 3-2 record.

It is important that head coach Todd Haley stresses the importance of remaining consistent for four quarters. In the end, it could make all the difference in the win-loss category.

Find Their No. 1 Running Back

Last year was bad enough when Jamaal Charles finished second in the league in rushing—but second on the team in carries.

Thomas Jones leads the team in carries with 49 and has a 3.4 yards per carry average. But it is McCluster who leads the team in rushing yards with 172 on the year.

However, McCluster only carried the ball four times for eight yards this past Sunday against the Colts. It was the Jackie Battle who had a field day with 19 carries for 119 yards in Indianapolis.

Who is Kansas City’s top rusher? Will the Chiefs continue to feed the ball to Jones? Can McCluster bounce back? Will Battle be able to have another 100-yard game this season?

While the Chiefs are doing everything they can to make up for Jamaal Charles' absence, they can’t seem to find a leader at running back.

The Chiefs must find one player who can lead this team in carries and yards. Jones doesn’t seem to fit that bill and Battle did what many thought McCluster could do for the Chiefs.

As of now, it appears Battle and McCluster should be the front-runners to help the ground game's consistency, as they each own a 5.4 yard per carry average.

Eventually, the Chiefs rushing game, which is the only one in the league to not have a rushing touchdown, has to help out and contribute scores.

Get More Turnovers

The Chiefs only have five takeaways this season; all of them being interceptions.

The past two weeks, the Chiefs had only one interception against two struggling teams in the Vikings and Colts.

Turnovers are often the key number that can decide football games, and the Chiefs are at minus-five in the turnover margin.

The Chiefs must improve on getting more takeaways if they want any chance at success this season.

Help Tamba Hali Apply Pressure on Opposing Quarterbacks

Tamba Hali find himself in the same spot he was in last year. Hali owns 80 percent of the team's sack total with four.

It was expected that Andy Studebaker, Justin Houston or Cameron Sheffield would step up opposite of Hali and help the team's pass rush, but the Chiefs have already begun rotating Studebaker and Houston in the starting lineup this season.

Outside of Wallace Gilberry, no one else seems to be stepping up on the D-line, making Hali the lone leader once again.

If the Chiefs continue to struggle in this department, finding an outside linebacker opposite Hali must be the top priority this offseason.

Follow Farzin on Twitter @Farzin.