Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 1/5

Chiefs Season Review: The First Quarter from The Mothership

Looking back now, it's easy to point to the Chiefs' opening day matchup against the 2-14 Tennessee Titans as the "game that got away" because so much of it was uncharacteristic of who the Kansas City Chiefs turned out to be.

Before the game, the Chiefs knew they would be without wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, who had been suspended for a game. They quickly lost three key players in the game-defensive lineman Mike DeVito, linebacker Derrick Johnson and right tackle Jeff Allen-all who in the past few years had been mostly injury-free. Running back Jamaal Charles, a player who the Chiefs always rely on for an offensive spark, received just 11 touches and was atypically a non-factor. And quarterback Alex Smith, a rare interception thrower, threw three balls away.

Why the Kansas City Chiefs Defense Was Elite in 2014 from The Mothership

The loss of one of the best linebackers in franchise history, Derrick Johnson, combined with the loss of Mike DeVito, the veteran anchor along the defensive line, made for a tough change of plans after both players were lost for the season with Achilles injuries suffered in Week 1 against Tennessee.

Before the season began, Johnson's partner at inside linebacker was slated to be veteranJoe Mays at the "Mike" linebacker position, but Mays was lost for the first eight games of the season after a wrist injury in the preseason.

All three of these injuries to front-seven defensive players made the challenge of putting together a high-performing group much more difficult for the coaching staff. But as the season progressed, the defense continued to soar above just "high performing."

Simply put, they were elite.

Bears get 1st crack at interviewing Chiefs' Chris Ballard for GM job from The Chicago Tribune

As the Bears' search for a new general manager enters its second week, Chiefs director of player personnel Chris Ballard appears to be emerging as a front-runner. And if the Bears have Ballard tabbed as their top candidate for a job that came open last week with the firing of Phil Emery, they'll also have the first crack at securing Ballard's services.

According to a league source, Ballard will interview with the Bears on Wednesday. He also has been contacted by the Jets about their GM vacancy but will visit with the Bears first.

Grading the Chiefs from KC Star via Salina.com

Coaching: B+

The Chiefs' 2-4 finish, not to mention embarrassing losses to Tennessee and Oakland, ding a grade that seemed destined to be an "A" midway through the season. Despite his occasional tendency to forget the run game, Reid got the most out of an offense that was flawed at two key positions: receiver and offensive line. And while the defense could have used more creativity, defensive coordinator Bob Sutton turned around a pass defense that was terrible toward the end of last season. It would have been really interesting to see what this unit could have accomplished if DeVito and Derrick Johnson didn't get hurt. The special teams, under Toub, were solid enough.

Panthers get another crack at Seahawks in NFC divisional round game from The News & Observer

This will be the Panthers' first trip since 2010 to Seattle, home of the so-called "12th Man" fan base that set a Guinness world record for stadium noise in December 2013 (broken this season by Kansas City Chiefs fans).

Cowboys Prep for Packers After Second NFL Playoff Win from Businessweek

The Cowboys sent the Lions to their eighth straight playoff loss, dating back to 1992, tied with the Kansas City Chiefs for the longest such losing streak in NFL history.

Tennessee offensive lineman Jacob Gilliam gave his all for Tennessee from GoVolsXtra

His night ended with a curtain call. Thousands of UT fans cheered him as he walked off EverBank Field.

"I kind of teared up a little bit when I realized I was done," he said.

He wrapped UT coach Butch Jones and former teammate Zach Fulton, now a guard for the Kansas City Chiefs, in sweaty hugs. He ran the bowl trophy around on his bad knee until he lost his breath