Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 12/5

12/4 Practice Recap: Chiefs Taking Steps to Improve Run Defense from The Mothership

In their consecutive losses to the Raiders and the Broncos, the Chiefs gave up a combined 386 yards rushing, or a rate of 193 yards per game. Compare that number with what it was during their five-game winning streak (121.4), just about 72 yards less, and it becomes clear that the Chiefs had a problem to address this week.

First, on Wednesday, the Chiefs used one of their 14 padded practices in order to get back to the fundamentals of tackling.

"We haven't done too well on it the past couple weeks," head coach Andy Reid said. "We're going to put an emphasis on the best you can do right now but we've got to get better."

Coordinators' Press Conferences 12/4 from The Mothership

Q: Why is Jamaal Charles about 80 touches below his usual this season?

PEDERSON: "I guess we're not giving him the ball enough. The thing is too that we're using more (running) backs. We've used him more as a receiver."

Q: His receptions are down about 30.

PEDERSON: "Yeah they're down too. They're down too. These last couple of games we've gotten in situations where we've gotten behind when you play catch up. You end up throwing the ball. Touches are going to go down to some of your key guys and that has something to do with not getting him the ball."

Chiefs vs. Cardinals Preview from The Associated Press via The Mothership

Bruce Arians is remaining quite calm for a coach who has watched the Arizona Cardinals' NFC West lead dwindle during a two-game slide, choosing instead to focus on the positives that led them to the top of the division.

The Kansas City Chiefs aren't in nearly as enviable of a position while dealing with a skid that is threatening their playoff chances in the AFC.

Each club seeks a much-needed victory as the Cardinals host the Chiefs on Sunday.

Chiefs vs. Cardinals: Five Things to Watch from The Mothership

5. Alex Smith attacking the Cardinals through the air

The Cardinals defense has been susceptible to the pass this season, ranking 27th in the NFL by allowing 263.3 yards per game through the air.

Over the past two games, tight end Anthony Fasano has caught two of the four touchdown passes for the Chiefs offense.

Smith talked about the continuity he's developed with Fasano.

Chiefs Mailbag: Larger Role for Jason Avant? from The Mothership

James from Blue Springs: Will Jason Avant become a larger part of the Chiefs offense further down the road?

Considering Avant caught two passes in his first game, which came only a few days after signing with the Chiefs, it's hard to think we won't see more of him during these final four games of the regular season.

Also, as receiver Junior Hemingway continues to miss practice as he deals with a concussion, Avant, who spent the majority of his time with coach Reid in Philadelphia in the slot, should get more looks for that reason as well.

CWO Hosts Holiday Party at Domestic Violence Shelter from The Mothership

One in four women will experience domestic violence during her lifetime and more than 3 million children witness domestic violence in their homes every year.

The stats are overwhelming, which is why Hope House serves as a safe haven for prevention, education and support for thousands of people traumatized by domestic violence every year.

On Wednesday, the Chiefs Women's Organization (CWO) visited the women and children at Hope House to host a holiday party for those currently residing in the shelter.

KCChiefs.com Podcast: Chiefs Download 12/5

KCChiefs.com Video: Chiefs Live!: Stymying Stanton & Cardinal Offense

KCChiefs.com Video: Arrowhead Update: Arians has ties to Chiefs

KCChiefs.com Video: Coach's Corner: DC Bob Sutton talks with Mitch

KCChiefs.com Video: TNF Storylines: Jamaal Charles Best RB in the NFL?

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

KCChiefs.com Video: Opponent Preview: Examining the Arizona Cardinals

KCChiefs.com Video: Chiefs Community Visit: A Holiday Surprise

KCChiefs.com Video: Chiefs Live! Starting Strong on 1st Down

KCChiefs.com Video: Locker Room Sound 12/4

Week 14: Thursday injury report from Chiefs Digest

Chiefs left guard Mike McGlynn (calf) returned to practice Thursday after missing Wednesday's workout.

The Chiefs officially list McGlynn, who suffered the calf injury in Week 13, as a limited participant.

Wide receiver Junior Hemingway (concussion) and defensive end Allen Bailey (concussion) missed a second day of practice Thursday, putting their availability for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals in the air.

Slumping Chiefs struggling to sustain drives from The Associated Press via FS Kansas City

In the one-sided loss last Sunday that left Kansas City in playoff peril, the inability of the Chiefs' offense to sustain drives was one of the biggest problems. That pass to Kelce was not only the first time they converted on third down, it was the only time in nine tries -- precisely the kind of inefficiency that Smith and coach Andy Reid have built reputations on avoiding.

"We've got to sustain drives," Reid said. "That's been one of our strengths and the last couple of weeks we haven't done that. That's my responsibility, to get the guys in the right positions to keep the chains moving. We've had way too many three-and-outs."

In fact, the Chiefs went three-and-out the first three times they had the ball in that 29-16 loss to Denver.

Chiefs return to basic fundamentals with ‘a sense of urgency' from Chiefs Digest

The Chiefs have lost two straight games in ugly fashion with four remaining in a tight playoff chase, and the donning of full pads during Wednesday's practice made a point.

"There's a sense of urgency around here," defensive end Kevin Vickerson said Thursday. "I think everybody needs to be on board with it. Just trying to get back to the basics, really.

"We didn't have the best performance we wanted to Sunday night. When you have something like that, coach wants to send his message. We want to do stuff this way and we got to get back to the fundamentals of football."

Is Chiefs DL Dontari Poe wearing down from the workload? from ESPN

Nose tackle Dontari Poe is generally amused when people make an issue of how much he plays for the Kansas City Chiefs. It flares up as an issue from time to time and it has again this week, after the 346-pound Poe was in the lineup for every one of the Denver Broncos' 82 snaps in last week's game.

"I just play," Poe said. "That's what I do."

But Poe could be wearing down under the strain of his heavy workload. According to Pro Football Focus, which grades every NFL player in every game, Poe had his worst game of the season in last week's loss.

Cardinals, Chiefs Been On Same Path from AZCardinals.com

It doesn't take more than a cursory glance to notice the parallels between the 2013 Chiefs and 2014 Cardinals.

Kansas City started last season 9-0, far exceeding expectations and pushing into the NFL's upper echelon. From there came the lull, as they lost three in a row to fall to 9-3. The Cardinals began this year 9-1, also surpassing outside belief to grab the NFL's best record. Now they've lost two in a row and sit at 9-3.

At season's end, Kansas City finished with an 11-5 record and subsequently lost to the Colts in the wild card round. The fear is that injuries could derail a promising Cardinals season, but their story is far from over - and when the players are in the classroom, they're studying game film, not history.

Week 14 NFL picks: Chiefs, Texans and Seahawks are this week's best bets. from The Washington Post

This week's best bets:

Kansas City Chiefs (+1) @ Arizona Cardinals
Pick: Kansas City Chiefs (+1)
Win Probability: Kansas City Chiefs, 52.0 percent

The Cardinals rush defense allowed 101 yards on 18 carries (5.6 per attempt) to Falcons running back Steven Jackson last week, and Jamaal Charles of the Chiefs is a much more dangerous back. Charles has broken 28 tackles this season and has 10 runs of 15 yards or more. Jackson has three.

Watch Party A Winner, Despite The Loss from The Catholic Key

The 2014 Chiefs Watch party to benefit the diocesan Bright Futures Fund, had the crowd, the food and drinks, the big screen TVs, the laughter, cheers and moans and, former Kansas City Chiefs and Chiefs Ambassadors auctioning off a variety of items. Held for the second year in a row at the Roasterie Coffee Bean Hanger, the honorary hosts for the sold out Nov. 20 watch party were Rita and Lamar Hunt, Jr...

...The crowd in attendance, most sporting Kansas City Chiefs t-shirts, jerseys or at least wearing red and white, arrived early for the game, K.C. Chiefs vs Oakland raiders, and listened closely to a discussion from Chiefs insiders, including the event chairs Ken (a.k.a. Fuzzy) Kremer and his wife Lisa, Bobby Bell, Keith Cash and other former players, while perusing items in the silent and live auctions.

Chiefs' Rudnay brings down house in Mo Sports Hall induction from The Springfield News-Leader

Turns out, former Kansas City Chiefs center Jack Rudnay could have had a side career in standup comedy.

On a day when the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame paid homage to the state's most notable NFL centers, Rudnay busted out this line about quarterbacks and running backs being the so-called "skill positions."

"But none of them could do a damn thing until we handed it to them first. I often wanted to say, 'Here's the ball, now go make some headlines while I go fight with this big (bleep),' " Rudnay said, only he didn't say bleep.

Chiefs help kids sack Christmas gifts, ensuring a special holiday from FOX4KC

This is an important time of year for the Love Fund, making sure kids all across the metro have something special for Christmas. The kids shopping with the Chiefs got a double dip of special, a $125 gift card courtesy of Walmart and a Kansas City Chief as their personal shopper.

"It's cool, little giving in the holiday season, same time educating too," said Chiefs Linebacker Derrick Johnson.

The AFC's 7-5 Logjam: Who Will Be Standing At The End? from 247 Sports

3. Kansas City Chiefs They can run the ball but rank towards the bottom of the league in stopping the run. They don't get much in the passing game but are tops in the league in stopping the pass. Their wide receivers have fewer catches combined (91) than Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown has by himself (96). Losers of two straight, one of them being to the NFL's worst team, the Oakland Raiders.

Best Wins: 41-14 over New England, 34-15 over Miami, 24-20 over Seattle, 23-20 over San Diego

Worst Losses: 24-20 to Oakland, 26-10 to Tennessee.

Countdown to kickoff no break for NFL coaches from USA Today

Even in the final 48 hours, after the game plan is in, the opponent study is largely complete and most teams have wrapped the bulk of their practice week, each coach has his own unique checklist to complete.

"That's when everybody's out of the office," Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. "Good, concentrated time. Nobody's bugging on you. You can kind of focus in right there."

Like other head coaches who double as play-callers, Reid spends much of those final hours focused in on his call sheet. He provides reminders to players in a Saturday night meeting and goes back through the game plan one more time with offensive coordinator Doug Pederson, who then joins Reid for a cheeseburger.

Sunday storylines: Cardinals & Chiefs are reeling, so what a perfect time for them to play from FS Arizona

Chiefs at Cardinals: Both teams were sitting comfortably in the playoff picture just two weeks ago, but are now watching the rug be pulled out on their once charmed seasons after bad consecutive losses the past two weeks...

...As for Kansas City, they're suddenly a team that is on the outside of the playoff picture looking in, after dropping two straight. The Chiefs, with a glut of 7-5 teams in the AFC, can't afford a loss, either. After Sunday, they face Oakland, Pittsburgh, and San Diego. Win these four, and Kansas City should be in the playoffs.

Like/Dislike: Waiting for Johnny Football from NFL.com

Are we really going to go an entire season without a touchdown from a Kansas City Chiefs receiver? I'm kind of rooting for it. I believe it's the most fantastic stat going. I don't really feel it's a knock on Alex Smith. But a lack of talent at receiver. And why can'tAndy Reid ever have a team loaded with talent? He had it once when Terrell Owens was a receiver with the Eagles. Not surprisingly, he reached the Super Bowl(with a meh quarterback). He's like the modern day Marty Schotteheimer. He makes below-average talent teams into playoff contenders, even when they shouldn't be.