Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 11/19

11/18 Practice Recap: Three Days of Work in One from The Mothership

Monday for the Chiefs is usually reserved for game film and a light workout before a day off on Tuesday. But this week, that all changed. The team needs to travel on Wednesday, so with that in mind, they were right back at it Monday night under the lights.

"We threw the base [game plan] at them and then today they've got the goal line, red zone, short yardage and the rest of it thrown at them," Reid said Tuesday before practice. "There's not a lot of time for anything else here. You're kind of all consumed in this thing getting it right and accurate."

Each member of Reid's coaching staff shares that mindset.

Andy Reid Press Conference 11/18 from The Mothership

Q: Do you have to make a conscious effort to make sure the team doesn't overlook the Raiders this week after a big win and to that Denver game in two weeks?

REID: "Yeah, I think you just need to go through the process I've always done. Whether you win or lose the game before, you get back on the process of getting ready to play a game. This one's just a bit hurried up because of it being on a Thursday. If you do that the right way, it's all time consuming and you don't have to worry about all those other things."

Q: Is it a challenge to keep those guys looking at the task at hand and not ahead to the Broncos?

REID: "No I don't think that is. You turn on the film of the Raiders and you see good football players. They fly around. That catches you're attention right away. These guys have spent a lot of hours here yesterday and today we've had to kind of accelerate things. I think they're very well aware that they're playing a good football team."

Chiefs Players' Commitment to Strength is Best Ever from The Mothership

One of the key groups is the strength and conditioning staff, led by Barry Rubin, along with his assistants Travis Crittenden and Brent Salazar.

They are responsible for ensuring the players are at their peak athletic performance heading into the season and then helping maintain that strength throughout the year.

When asked about this year's team, Rubin offered special praise.

"This is my 18th year being in the NFL and these guys have been and I can say this, they are the best group that I've ever been with," Rubin said on Monday. "Because of their compliance, their good work habits and the energy they bring, I couldn't ask for any more out of these guys. They really have been so enjoyable to work with.

"They've made my job-it's the most fun I've had in strength coaching yet."

Chic Meets Chiefs at Style Lounge from The Mothership

"There were so many fun elements to this event, it was a great way to celebrate football and fashion," Tavia Hunt noted. "As women, we've been desperate from other options than the standard game day jersey. Now, the options are limitless and we are able to express our fandom and personal style on any occasion, beyond game day and beyond football season."

More than 400 guests were in attendance and enjoyed fashion shows, appetizers, drinks and a girls night out. There was also a "beautification station" setup by Beauty Brands, providing nail art, up-dos and red lips, as well as, a fun photo booth and a Chiefs Boutique.

KCChiefs.com Podcast: Chiefs Download 11/19

KCChiefs.com Video: Chiefs Brief: Arrowhead Grit

KCChiefs.com Video: NFL.com: Chiefs vs. Raiders TNF

KCChiefs.com Video: Opponent Preview: Examining the Oakland Raiders

KCChiefs.com Video: NFL.com: Chiefs vs. Raiders Game Preview

FS Kansas City Video: Sights and sounds from Chiefs open locker room, Nov. 18, 2014

Junior Seau, Greatest Show on Turf among 26 HoF semifinalists from ProFootballTalk

Also on the list are the five players who were in the final 10 of last year's voting but not among the five elected: Linebacker Kevin Greene, defensive end Charles Haley, running back Jerome Bettis, guard Will Shields and wide receiver Marvin Harrison.

Week 12: Tuesday injury report from Chiefs Digest

The Chiefs officially list wide receiver A.J. Jenkins (shoulder) and cornerback Chris Owens (knee) as not practicing Tuesday.

The short turnaround from Week 11 and considering the Chiefs don't practice Wednesday due to traveling to Oakland for Thursday night's game places Jenkins' and Owens' availability against the Raiders in doubt.

The Chiefs, however, could have optimism over tight end Anthony Fasano (knee) and potentially Donnie Avery (groin), as both players put in limited work Tuesday.

Chiefs would be wise not to look past winless, hapless Raiders from The Associated Press via FS Kansas City

Next week's matchup with the Broncos could lose some luster if the Chiefs somehow get caught looking past Oakland (0-10). The Raiders have gone a calendar year without a victory and are mired in the longest skid in the NFL since 2009, when St. Louis ended a 17-game slide and Detroit halted a string of 19 defeats.

The obstacles that come with the short Thursday turnaround for a road game add to the challenge, but the Chiefs appear well prepared to extend their longest win streak since starting 9-0 last season.

Kansas City Chiefs' offense blossoming under Andy Reid's watch from NFL.com

When considering contenders for Coach of the Year, voters should take a long, hard look at Andy Reid-- and appreciate the work he has done in Kansas City. While there are plenty of deserving candidates, including Arizona Cardinals head man Bruce Arians, the adaptability Reid has showcased in retooling the Chiefs' offense has been extraordinary. In fact, Reid's work has been so impressive that Kansas City could overtake the Denver Broncos as the team to beat in the AFC West and make a legitimate run at the top playoff seed in the conference.

After poring over the All-22 Coaches Film, I've come up with three reasons why the Chiefs' offense is blossoming under Reid's guidance:

The Film Don't Lie: Chiefs from ESPN

It's not unusual for Poe and Bailey to play almost all of the defensive snaps in a given game. It is unusual for them to do it on a short week like the one the Chiefs are now facing.

So it's a good idea for the Chiefs to play a couple of backups, Vance Walker and Kevin Vickerson, more against the Raiders.

Cornerback depth ensures Chiefs don't need to rush CB Jamell Fleming back from Chiefs Digest

Cornerback Sean Smith remains a mainstay on the right side. But Fleming's pending return offers a dilemma considering he became the starting left cornerback in Week 7 after the Chiefs made the move from Marcus Cooper.

With Fleming down, defensive back Ron Parker started at left cornerback the previous two games and rookie cornerback Phillip Gaines drew a start at the position in Week 9.

Whether Fleming takes over his previous starting role when he's 100 percent healthy remains to be seen.

Chiefs defensive line still shutting teams down from The Associated Press via FS Kansas City

Sure, opponents have come close. Just last Sunday, Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch was repelled at the 2-yard line, setting up fourth down. Seattle threw a pass incomplete, and Kansas City went on to win a 24-20 nail-biter against the defending Super Bowl champions.

Other teams have come close to scoring on the ground, too. But none of them succeeded yet.

"It's all about communication and knowing assignments," said Vickerson, a veteran defensive tackle signed early this season. "When you know your assignments you can play fast. You're not over there thinking. Communication is very important. That's what we've been doing pretty good."

Chiefs focused on Week 12 opponent, not looking ahead from Chiefs Digest

The Chiefs have won five in a row, including seven of the last eight games.

And it would be easy for a team coming off a win against the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks to overlook the Oakland Raiders, especially with a showdown looming on the horizon against the Denver Broncos.

But don't expect the Chiefs to change how they approach game week, much less fall in a trap considering Thursday night's winless opponent.

Chiefs QB Alex Smith Talks Raiders from Raiders.com

Q: Last year you played Week 15 in Oakland and you guys threw, I believe, it was three or four screen passes for touchdowns. Why do you think that was so effective?

Smith: "Probably for a number of reasons. It's tough to say. Timing, a matter of hitting them at the right time, that's kind of the deal with those sometimes. We felt like, looking at them last year, I can remember it just felt like on the road and time and circumstance were some 3rd-and-longs and they were coming after the passer. Tough to totally remember I guess, but looking at the film a little bit, I just remember where we were at last year, kind of a different team at this point."

The Microsoft Engine That Nailed The World Cup Is Predicting Every NFL Game - Here Are Its Picks For Week 12 from Business Insider

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Oakland Raiders - Chiefs win, 82% chance (Chiefs -7)

Chiefs HC Andy Reid Talks Raiders Week from Raiders.com

Q: From what you've seen on film, does what you see jive with the record that you see?

Coach Reid: "No. Listen, these games are close through three quarters. They're playing good football, so all I had to do was turn on the tape. They've got a good scheme. I'm a big Tony Sparano fan. He's a heck of a football coach. [They are] playing tough football, playing good football. [Defensive coordinator Jason] Tarver's got the defense playing well. It doesn't take you long when you turn on the film. There's a very small margin between winning and losing in the National Football League, we understand that."

Q: Why are you a big Tony Sparano fan? What do you think he does well?

Coach Reid: "He's a good football coach. I think he brings toughness. He's got a good scheme. He's a relentless worker."

History doesn't favor Jamaal Charles vs. Raiders from ESPN

After catching eight passes for 195 yards and four touchdowns in one of last year's games against Oakland, Jamaal Charles doesn't need to apologize for his career performances against the Raiders.

It's still interesting to note that the Raiders, that dismal failure aside, have done the best job of defending Charles of any frequent Kansas City Chiefs opponent. The Chiefs play the Raiders in Oakland on Thursday night.

Tarver: "What we're concerned about is ourselves" from Raiders.com

Q: You guys have been getting more pressure on the quarterback. Given how much they like to run, is that something that's a possibility against a team like Kansas City?

Coach Tarver: "Kansas City does a good job running and passing the ball. They've improved, they have a good scheme. What we're concerned about is ourselves. We need to continue on our progression, which is setting edges, using our hands, continuing to improve techniques and fundamentals inside and outside. You asked specifically about the inside guys; they're improving in what they do. We're improving in how we work together. We need to stay on our progression and keep getting better, play-in and play-out. This team has some explosive players that we need to keep in the cage."

NFL Playoff Picture: What to watch for heading into Week 12 from CBS Sports

The Patriots now have a one-game lead in the conference with head-to-head wins against Denver, Indianapolis and Cincinnati. Their only real blemish is the loss to Kansas City, so Pats fans will need to keep an eye on the Chiefs. Miami is also a few steps away as they are two back of New England but has the Week 1 win over the Patriots in its back pocket...

...Kansas City's big win over Seattle has put the Chiefs in a position to control their own destiny for the AFC West title and a first-round bye (No. 2 seed) as the Chiefs can still split head-to-head with the Broncos and would win a tiebreaker on common opponents record if they are tied in division record. Denver also has the same control, but the surging Chiefs are a new development.

2014 NFL Power Rankings - Week 12: Cardinals, Packers, Chiefs move up but Patriots still No. 1 from The Washington Post

4. Kansas City Chiefs (7-3) | Previous Rank: 7

They were clearly the better team on the field Sunday against the Seahawks. Suddenly it's the Chiefs, not the Broncos, who have resembled the AFC West's best team lately. The Chiefs lost in Denver early in the season but the rematch in Kansas City is still to come, on Nov. 30.

Bell's Awards Week 11: Patriots welcome newcomer Jonas Gray from USA Today

This week's genius: Andy Reid. Look who's in first place? After an 0-2 start, the Chiefs have won seven or their past eight games to pull dead even atop the A-West with the Broncos (7-3), who have stumbled in losing two of three. Kansas City's effort against the Seahawks was gritty; the Chiefs rushed for 190 yards sparked typically by Jamaal Charles (20 carries, 159 yards, 2 TDs), but gave up 204 yards on the ground. Chiefs receivers still don't have a receiving TD this season, and Alex Smith threw for just 108 yards. But they found a way to win. Smith was efficient running Reid's game plan, completing 11 of 16 passes. And the hungry defense came up huge in stuffing Marshawn Lynch in the goal-line and short-yardage situations that ultimately won the game. There's a lot of credit to share, but so much starts with Reid, 18-9 (including playoffs) as Chiefs coach.

Week 11 power rankings from ProFootballTalk

8. Kansas City Chiefs (No. 11; 7-3): Suddenly, the Chiefs are becoming dominant.

Week 12 fantasy football rankings: Defense/special teams from SportingNews

4. Kansas City Chiefs @ OAK. Kansas City has scored the sixth-most fantasy D/ST points in the last four weeks and gets a great matchup against a winless Raiders team.

6 Implausible, Absurd, Far-Fetched - But Most Likely - Ways The Broncos Make The Super Bowl from CBS Denver

The Chiefs win out and the Patriots lose once.This path doesn't reroute the road to the Super Bowl through Denver, but the Broncos' chances of winning in Kansas City seem plausible compared to beating the Patriots on the road.

If Kansas City wins its remaining games, and New England loses at, say, Green Bay - which is very possible, if not probable - the Chiefs and Patriots would tie with 13-3 finishes. Kansas City would secure the No. 1 seed in the AFC courtesy of its September rout of the Patriots. The Chiefs' remaining slate isn't too frightening - it includes two games against Oakland - but they also play at 9-1 Arizona.

It's far too early to envision playoff seeding - in this universe, the Broncos might still travel to New England as a wild card. But the Broncos' chances of a Super Bowl berth increase in Kansas City and not New England.

Packers, Cards are for real in playoff picture from The Penn

Kansas City was positioned to experience a sophomore slump in 2014 after an impressive turnaround in Andy Reid's debut season as the team's head coach. But the Chiefs played an emotional game against the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, and after 10 games, K.C. is neck-and-neck with the Broncos at 7-3.

Chiefs to rule in AFC West clash from Sporting Life

There is always room for an upset in the NFL but the gulf between the pair is just too big at the moment whichever way you slice things. Kansas have won on nine of their last 11 visits to Oakland and the last time we saw them in prime-time TV slot, it was a rout of the New England Patriots.

Oakland last tasted a win at home on October 27 2013 and unless the performance of Kansas drops off dramatically in a four-day span, the Raiders will remain bang on course for the top pick in next year's draft.

Verdict: Kansas City 24 Oakland 10

The Playoff Picture from National Football Post

The hot team of late has been Kansas City. They have won five in a row and seven out of their last eight. What helps the Chiefs is that they play the Raiders twice and are home for their game with the Broncos. They also have to play at Arizona and Pittsburgh and finish the season with a home game against Dan Diego. I think the worst-case scenario is a 10 -6 record. The home game with Denver will be the most important of the lot.

There's No Need For An ‘Elite' Quarterback To Win A Division from XN Sports

The Chiefs were supposed to continue their free-fall out of contention since last year's late-season demise and first-round playoff loss, but even a slow start hasn't prevented the team from reeling off five consecutive victories. Smith is relying on his workhorse, Jamaal Charles, while the offense hasn't even found a way to include its wide receivers. Still, the old-fashioned theory of run the rock and play defense has propelled the Chiefs into a first-place tie with the Broncos.

NFL Power Rankings: Brady puts Pats in top spot after big win over Colts from CBS Sports

5 Chiefs (10): They play solid defense and run effectively on offense. Not many teams ground and pound against Seattle the way KC did. Tied with Denver atop the AFC West, the Chiefs (7-3) are zeroing in on the division title with an Arrowhead showdown vs. the Broncos coming up Nov. 30.

Hank Stram ring up for auction from ESPN

The only Super Bowl championship ring owned by legendary Kansas City Chiefs coach Hank Stram will be available to the highest bidder.

Rick Kohl, president and CEO of North Carolina-based Worthridge Auctions, said his company purchased the ring from Stram's family. The online auction starts Wednesday and runs through Dec. 6.

A "Gold Jacket" in London from The Pro Football Hall Of Fame

But this past Monday was a little different. I woke with more of a spring in my step, I raced through the first of my two columns on my one-hour train journey into London and attacked the next one with a Deacon Jones-like fervor!

I had a date with a Gold Jacket (the term used for living members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame) and was not about to get side-tracked by my normal Monday workload! I was off to Wembley Stadium to show Hall of Fame defensive tackle Curley Culp and his lovely wife, Collette, around the 90,000-seat venue that continually sells out for regular season NFL games played here in London.

The visit took on extra meaning here in the UK given that Curley was a Super Bowl-winning star with Kansas City and the Chiefs are UK-bound to take on the Detroit Lions in 2015.

Fat guy glory: Watch 11 offensive linemen scoring touchdowns from FOX Sports

CHIEFS LINEMAN JOE VALERIO: HALL-OF-FAME LINEMAN PASS CATCHER

Valerio played five years in the NFL for the Kansas City Chiefs and caught four career touchdowns. For one of the magical Valerio specials, a 3-yard touchdown catch, skip to the 0:56 mark in this video. If you also want to see Valerio turn on the jets as a lead blocker on a Steve Bono touchdown run (you do), watch the whole thing.

Kennison's new title: pro wine receiver from Kansas city Business Journal

Former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Eddie Kennison is launching a new venture called Barrel 87, which is an online club offering wine, beer and spirits delivered monthly to your home or office.

Members will get access to recipes and videos featuring Kennison and his celebrity friends and former teammates preparing food to be paired with the libations. Members also receive invitations to special events and tastings hosted by Kennison.