Playing the blame game in Kansas City Chiefs loss to the Denver Broncos

After Sunday's game Chiefs coach Andy Reid went into the locker room and told the players that there was not one unit in the loss to the Broncos that played well enough to win. He was implying that it was a complete team loss, which I agree with. This game was Alex Smith's fault. It was Andy Reid and his play calling's fault. It was the offensive line's fault. It was the run defense's fault. It was Bob Sutton's fault. It was everyone's fault.

Let's pass some blame around.

This is the offense's fault

This is the offensive line's fault because they gave up six sacks to the Broncos. It got so bad that Andy Reid put Donald Stephenson in the game for Ryan Harris. The Chiefs lost starting guard Mike McGlynn in the game. A lot of things went wrong. But the Chiefs knew that the Broncos had a very good pass rush. They knew those edge rushers Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware would be bringing the heat every play. And they weren't prepared for it.

This is Alex Smith's fault because he missed an open Dwayne Bowe in the red zone which resulted in a field goal instead of a touchdown.

This is Donnie Avery's fault for fumbling the ball late in the fourth quarter.

This is the entire offense's fault because they started so dang slow.

This is the defense's fault

Oh boy, is it the run defense's fault. The defense is at fault for five straight third down conversions by the Broncos offense early on as Denver took a two touchdown lead. The run defense made a guy named CJ Anderson look like Terrell Davis. This is nothing new either. The Chiefs knew their run defense was a problem and has been for most of the season. They're in a tough spot because selling out to stop the run simply means Peyton Manning would have beat them through the air but you can't give up 168 rushing yards to CJ Anderson.

This is the pass defense's fault for allowing five third down conversions in the Broncos first two drives -- both touchdowns.

This is the special teams fault

In a big way. The Chiefs had two key special teams errors that helped cost them this game. There was the fake punt, which came after a penalty that gave the Broncos a chance to punt it again. This is the second time a fake punt has cost the Chiefs (the 49ers game being the other). The second problem was the Broncos punt that hit Marcus Cooper and allowed the Broncos to recover. Sure, that's a fluky play ... but that just can't happen.

This is the coaching staff's fault

Bottom line, the Chiefs had 10 days to prepare for this game and came out looking unprepared.

Andy Reid called three straight pass plays on the first drive of the game. Predictably this resulted in a three and out with the Chiefs punting the ball. Reid also got away from Jamaal Charles too early in the game and never gave Knile Davis a chance to establish the run. Reid also did not use one of his best play makers in De'Anthony Thomas.

Bob Sutton had Josh Mauga covering Emmanuel Sanders on one third down. The Chiefs are lucky it was incomplete. Kansas City was simply incapable of stopping CJ Anderson on the ground.

Dave Toub's units had the aforementioned miscues in the kicking game.

This is everyone's fault!