3 Fatal Flaws That Could End Chiefs' Playoff Run

With Patrick Mahomes under center, the Kansas City Chiefs can beat anyone. Their offense is explosive enough that it can carry the load no matter who they're facing. However, lurking below the surface are some problems they'll need to fix before the postseason arrives.

3. Poor Running Game

The Kansas City Chiefs have had a solid offense in 2019, but the run game has been lacking. / David Eulitt/Getty Images

For all of the explosive players the Chiefs have on offense, the running game has been less than ideal late in the season. Injuries have sidelined Darrel Williams and Damien Williams, and they've averaged just 4.1 yards per attempt as a team this year heading into Sunday's game. LeSean McCoy is going to have to carry the load in order for them to remain successful.

2. Penalties

Penalty yardage has been costly for Kansas City in 2019. / Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

Discipline has been a major problem for Kansas City this year. They've been flagged for around a league-average amount of penalties, but the problem is that those penalties have been extremely costly. Their 878 penalty yards rank seventh most in football, and if they continue to play sloppy football for the rest of the season and into January, it could prevent them from making the Super Bowl.

1. Weak Run Defense

The Kansas City Chiefs have struggled to contain the run. / David Eulitt/Getty Images

The Chiefs' defense has made major strides this year compared to last, but when it comes to defending against the run, they rank as one of the worst units in all of football. They've allowed 1,790 rushing yards (fifth worst heading into Sunday's game) on 5.1 yards per attempt (third worst). Unless they can figure out how to at least slow down their opponents on the ground, they're going to meet a swift and untimely end in the playoffs.