:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/20051309/20130919_hcs_sy4_046.0.jpg)
According to Andy Reid, the best stat about the KC Chiefs through three games -- besides 3-0 -- would be +9. As in +9 turnover ratio.
After last year's disaster, the Chiefs lead the league in turnover ratio through three games. What a world the NFL is!
Reid spoke with reporters following Monday's practice where he talked about the correlation between turnovers and winning and losing.
"I told the team this," Reid said, via quotes from the Chiefs, "not having turnovers and forcing turnovers are probably the two most important things that you have as a football team. You don't want to turn the football over. Year-after-year you see that stat and if you turn the ball over you lose the football game. If your takeaway ratio is high, normally, if not close, normally you're winning.
"Those are two important stat points: takeaways and giveaways."
Then it's good news that the Chiefs are excelling in this area. They don't give up a lot of points and they don't turn the ball over. They will at some point the ball over. Probably this weekend against the Giants. Or maybe in a month. i don't know. But it will happen.
I've been hammering the turnover point home since the beginning of the season. They're important for any team but especially these Chiefs because these Chiefs win games by not beating themselves. Turnovers are a way of beating yourself.
Given the context of the situation -- isn't this mostly the same team that has won just 9 of their last 32? -- I still have a few doubts about the Chiefs beating the Giants. But not turning the ball over and playing good defense will almost always keep you competitive. And a competitive season is all I really asked for this season (maybe I should have asked for more?).