The Chiefs are winning...............and

For many of us long suffering Chiefs fans this time of year is not a time during which we have been involved in thinking about whether or not the Chiefs will make it to the playoffs.  For way too many years, the Chiefs seasons have pretty well been wrapped up at this time of year, and naturally the talk would turn to the draft and the Chiefs team needs for the next season.

This year, however, the Chiefs are very much in the hunt for a playoff spot and in control of their own destiny as far as the playoffs are concerned.  From the opening Monday night when the Chiefs beat the reigning AFC West champion San Diego Chargers, the Chiefs have shared at least a tie for the lead in the AFC West and for much of the season have been all alone at the top of the AFC West heap. 

During that time Coach Haley has spoken numerous times on the subject of the team as a whole and has made statements to the effect that the team is a work in progress and is not yet a "good football team".  The team has shown signs of "becoming a good football team" during the course of this season, but has really lacked a "statement" game to add an exclamation point to the birth of a potential football dynasty in the making.  There have been promises and hints of the good things to come in terms of wrapping up some games and actually nailing the coffin lid down on a couple of teams.  I have said in the past that this team needs to develop a "killer instinct" along the journey somewhere to goodness or even greatness as a team.  There have been those few tantalizing tidbits of games in which we actually put a team away.  So far, so good.

So, we are winning and and still in the playoff hunt in December.  We are in control of our own destiny, all we have to do is win some more games, and slide into the playoffs.  We have had wins in which a segment of the team rose to the occasion and saved the day for the team vis a vis the game against Denver last week in which the defense stepped up big time.  (Thanks Brandon Carr)  What do we need now as a team to actually become "good"? 

What we need is a "statement game".  We have come close to making a statement to the NFL and the world, but have perhaps fallen a bit short as yet.  I know some will disagree with that analysis, but so be it.  When San Diego came to Arrowhead for the season opener for both teams on Monday Night Football we came at least close to making a statement.  Phillip Rivers was all in a snit and pitching a hissy fit on the field of play because those naughty Chiefs were thwarting his ability to be a star.  The media in general were apologetic for the hapless Chargers and blamed the opening Monday night loss on the weather and other factors.  In actuality the Chargers got their a** beat.  Pure and simple.

That brings us to the game coming up in San Diego this week.  What better opportunity will the Chiefs have this entire season to make a "statement" than this weekend against the Chargers.  We can absolutely assert our position as the new kids on the block by knocking off San Diego at home.  A Chargers loss will essentially mean they are out of contention for the AFC West race and the Chiefs are in control of the division.  A decisive win could make a huge impact on the media view of the team as the new dominant force in the AFC West.  Now is the time gentlemen (and coaches) of the Kansas City Chiefs.  Now is the time to step up and make that statement.  We need to come out swinging from the opening bell, and knock the Chargers on their collective a**.  We need to hammer in the nails of the San Diego division championship race coffin and throw dirt on the lid.  We need to slug them in the mouth and stand toe to toe with the former bully on the block.  I have spoken.  Now, Geaux, Chiefs.