Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 11/25

What We Learned: Seven Takeaways from Monday's Media Availability from The Mothership

Reid wrapped up by speaking on the leadership of linebacker Tamba Hali after his two sacks Sunday moved him into the top 50 all-time in the NFL for career sacks (85.0).

"Tamba is a very loyal guy and very team-oriented which you don't always find on every team with your big name players," Reid said. "Tamba brings great energy to the defense—always has even before I was here. That's just him by nature. He's an extremely hard worker. I think that's a great accomplishment, but like I said we're not done and he's not done."

Chiefs vs. Bills: 12 Stats to Know from The Mothership

5. Two teams on opposite ends of the penalty spectrum

The Bills have had 95 penalties accepted against them this season, which is the second-most for any team in the NFL.

On the other side of the spectrum, the Chiefs have been one of the least-penalized teams in the NFL with just 61 accepted against them, which is the fifth-fewest in the NFL.

DL Jaye Howard Organized Defensive Line for Cross-Lines Lunch from The Mothership

"I give back in Apoka, where I'm from, and I just wanted to start giving back in the Kansas City area," he said. "We've been blessed by God and we decided to share the blessings with the community."

A few weeks ago, with that in mind, Howard reached out to Chuck Castellano, the Chiefs director of community outreach, and Castellano directed him to Cross-Lines, a group that provides people affected by poverty with basic services and opportunities that encourage self-confidence and self-sufficiency.

They distribute 1,000 lunches a week to people of need in Kansas City, Kansas.

On Monday afternoon, Howard called upon his fellow linemen to come help serve lunch in conjunction with the Thanksgiving holiday.

Social Recap: Chiefs React to Big Win Over the Chargers on Social Media from The Mothership

Safety Husain Abdullah appreciated seeing a Chiefs-themed Volkswagen Beetle in San Diego

Patience, blocking finally pay off for Chiefs running back Spencer Ware from The Kansas City Star

"I would tell you he's core-strong. He's a big guy. He has some bulk there (where) you have to try to muster up to tackle, And then he's got good feet and vision," said Reid, whose team improved to 5-5 with their fourth straight win.

After the game, Ware was chill, as usual. But while he spoke calmly, it was clear how grateful and happy he was about finally making good on his long-awaited opportunity to help the team.

"I think I can help out this team a whole lot. That is one of the reasons why I think they (ran) me in (there)," Ware said. "(I want) to show my gratitude to them (with) my play on the field, and for them to pick me up when no one wanted me, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity."

Chiefs would be in playoffs if season ended now from ESPN

The Buffalo Bills, with their loss to the New England Patriots on Monday night, dropped to 5-5, the same record as the Chiefs. Through the NFL's tiebreaking procedures, which also involve the three other 5-5 AFC teams, the Chiefs would survive.

The Chiefs would play at the Denver Broncos in the wild-card round of the playoffs, and then with a victory there would move on to play at the Patriots.

That's a tough road to the AFC Championship Game, and it's why it's important the Chiefs catch the Pittsburgh Steelers and become the first wild-card entrant and the fifth overall seed. As of now, the 6-4 Steelers would play at the Indianapolis Colts in the wild-card round.

Five reasons the Chiefs will make the playoffs from ESPN

The Chiefs will hold on and make it back to the postseason for the first time in two years. Here's why:

1. They believe. The Chiefs never gave up on their season or vision for what they could become, even at the depths of 1-5. Coach Andy Reid believed the Chiefs would turn things around and he succeeded in getting the players to think the same way. That's no small effort in a locker room with 53 players, but the Chiefs kept their eyes on the prize even when it seemed out of their reach. Now they believe anything is possible.

Eric Berry's 'ninja-esque' tackle is more proof that he's back from ESPN

Eric Berry's play on a down-to-down basis over the last several games is proof enough that the Kansas City Chiefs safety is all the way back after his diagnosis of and treatment for lymphoma. Berry is having a season that rivals any of his three Pro Bowl seasons.

If you're looking for even more confirmation, check out the tackle Berry made on Chargers wide receiver Stevie Johnson in the second quarter of last week's game in San Diego.

Former Chiefs Morten Andersen, Ty Law among 25 semifinalists for Pro Football Hall of Fame from The Kansas City Star

Two former Chiefs and three first-year eligible candidates are among the 25 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2016.

Nominated again this year are kicker Morten Andersen, who played for the Chiefs in 2002-03, and cornerback Ty Law, a Chief in 2006-07. This is Andersen's fourth time as a semifinalist and Law's second.

The group of semifinalists includes 22 players — 15 offense, six on defense and one special teams — and three coaches.

Red Coaters serve Kansas City Chiefs and the community from The Kansas City Star

So it goes at every home Chiefs game as the Red Coaters represent the team and the Hunt family. The Red Coaters have been around since founder Lamar Hunt moved the team here from Dallas. The team used the Red Coat volunteers to sell tickets but their role has morphed into a focus on community service and they no longer sell tickets.

"They were born to help with ticket sales and show that Kansas City had passion for a team," said Chuck Castellano, Chiefs director of community outreach. "As time has marched on, they have moved from that sales role to the service role."

Since switching from their role in ticket sales to community service, the Red Coaters have left their mark. They gave 4,200 hours of community service in 2014 and are well on their way to surpassing that benchmark this season.

"For that small segment to make that kind of community impact is invaluable," Castellano said.

More than a half-century old, the Red Coaters are a unique organization.

ESPN's Football Power Index rankings for Nov. 24 from ESPN

The New England Patriots and the Arizona Cardinals remained first and second in the rankings, respectively, after Week 11. The Carolina Panthers moved up one spot to third in the rankings, and the Kansas City Chiefs rose five spots to fourth...

...A 44-16 win against Washington contributed to the Panthers' improving by 2.0 in their FPI rating. The Chiefs, 33-3 winners against the Chargers, gained 1.7 in FPI.

FPI is a forward-looking projection of a team's strength, compared to a backward-looking accounting of what a team has accomplished. That helps explain why the Broncos (8-2) are 13th in the FPI rankings, nine spots below the Chiefs, even though they lead their AFC West rivals by three games.

Post power rankings: The stat that pulled Chiefs back from dead from The New York Post

Not only is Andy Reid's team (which moves up to No. 15 in The Post's Weekly NFL Power Rankings this week) playing virtually error-free football on offense, but the Chiefs' defense has been making opponents cough up the ball at a furious rate lately.

Kansas City has forced 12 turnovers during its current winning streak, including five in a win over the Broncos two weeks ago and two in a 33-3 rout of the Chargers on the road last week.

Kansas City Chiefs tailgate recipe: Tailgate Taters from The San Jose Mercury News via The Daily Democrat

Chef Jeremy Tawney grew up watching his dad behind the smoker. Today, he oversees the smoking of 3,000 pounds of meat each day for dishes that include one of Tawney's favorites: Burnt Heaven, a sandwich piled with burnt ends, smoked sausage, spicy slaw and chipotle BBQ mayo.

Q Are you a football fan?

A I'm a die-hard Kansas City Chiefs fan.

Q Ultimate tailgate food?

A Barbecue is the ultimate tailgate food. But if I were going to pick one dish, it would be something fast and simple, like potato skins stuffed with burnt ends, green onion, blue cheese and sauteed peppers. It incorporates a bunch of good, wholesome food and also has the barbecue aspect.

Rex Ryan expects Tyrod Taylor to play Sunday against Chiefs from ESPN

"We all know it's a right shoulder thing," Ryan told WGR 550 in Buffalo on Tuesday afternoon. "I don't know the particulars of what they call things or whatever. If we had the technical terms on it, you guys wouldn't know it either. We'll see how the week progresses how everything goes, but I think he'll be ready to roll."

Analysis: Bills defense must sustain level achieved against Patriots from The Buffalo News

Buffalo's offense didn't capitalize and, frankly, it might not against the Kansas City Chiefs next week, either. The Chiefs have allowed only three touchdowns total in four straight wins. This could be a schoolyard slugfest. Nobody should be holding their breath with the offense. Buffalo probably will be laboring to score points on Sunday and beyond.

"We have to come together and play better in all three phases of the game," Bradham said. "Then, we'll dominate. We'll blow people out. You can see, we've got the potential, the talent."

Three months into the season, the Bills aren't fully capitalizing on their high-priced offensive additions.

Broncos: Peyton Manning in walking cast, out at least two weeks from KDVR

Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning will miss at least the next two weeks as he continues his recovery from a plantar fascia tear, the team announced Tuesday night.

Manning will wear a waking cast for at least the next week, then will undergo additional rehabilitation on his injured foot. The earliest he could be available would be Dec. 13 against the Oakland Raiders.

NFL power rankings: Chiefs and Texans rise, Jets and Falcons tumble from AOL

First off, you have to feel good for the sizzling Kansas City Chiefs, who have won four straight and have thrust themselves into the thick of the playoff race. Consider this a good enough reason to root for them: Eric Berry spent his offseason undergoing chemo while working out for the campaign, and just a year removed from a cancer diagnosis, he's helping his team chase the postseason.

Blood donors get Chiefs shirts, chance to win tickets from The Topeka Capital-Journal

The Kansas City Chiefs are giving people a chance to swap blood for a T-shirt and a chance to win tickets.

People donating through Dec. 1 at Community Blood Center locations in Topeka, 6220 S.W. 29th, and elsewhere also will be eligible to win Chiefs memorabilia.

Community Blood Center to host Chiefs Week from The St. Joseph News-Press

All who donate blood at any CBC Center, including the one located at 3122 Frederick Ave. in St. Joseph, will receive a Chiefs T-shirt and a chance to win Chiefs memorabilia. There also will be a raffle for tickets, which will give donors a chance to win tickets for either the Dec. 13 game against the Chargers or the Jan. 3 game versus the Raiders.

Deke's NFL Top Ten, week eleven from WWL

9. Kansas City Chiefs (5-5) - They are 4-1 in their last five and these KC Chiefs are quietly becoming the team that no one wants to see in the post season.  Watch out this team is White Hot!  Last week beat San Diego / this week vs Buffalo.

Area NFL players ‘handoff' Thanksgiving meals to needy families from LimaOhio.com

Two current and former NFL players teamed up with local school districts Tuesday to provide Thanksgiving meals for needy families.

Kyle Miller, an Elida High School graduate and former member of the San Diego Chargers, and Jarrod Pughsley, a Lima Senior High School graduate and current offensive lineman for the Kansas City Chiefs, were the driving force behind the inaugural event.

The aptly named "Hometown Thanksgiving Handoff" provided 1,000 meals to families in the Elida and Lima school districts.

NFL Week 12 Picks: Panthers cook Cowboys, Packers stuff Bears from CBS Sports

Chiefs (-4.5) vs. Bills — This is more of a bet against Rex Ryan after an emotionally draining loss to the Patriots on a short week going on the road against a suddenly resurgent defense. Rex is a great coach, but there's a roller coaster effect in play here and Kansas City's been very even keeled the last four weeks, running the ball efficiently (despite losing Jamaal Charles), scoring more than 23 points each week and giving up less than 10 total points. I also think Tyrod Taylor's injury is worse than we might think right now, which could mean EJ Manuel being prominently involved in this game. If that's the case it won't hang at 4.5 long.

A brief history of Thanksgiving football, fantasy memories and more from ESPN

Nov. 23, 2006: The Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs battled in the first prime time Thanksgiving game, which the Chiefs won 19-10. Chiefs running back Larry Johnson was the game's leading scorer, with 21 fantasy points. No other player or team defense scored more than 13.

At least Chargers' loss was special from The San Diego Union-Tribune

"That was the big bright spot of the game ... the kicking game" McCoy said. "The two kickers did an outstanding job. Very happy. We need to do that more often."

McCoy is right.

Punter Mike Scifres easily had his best game of the season in a 33-3 loss to the Chiefs, and he needed to after the way he began the year. Scifres, 35, helped force four fair catches on six punts. He had three fair catches in his other nine games, including one in the first seven weeks.

Two of Scifres' punts landed inside the 20. He had a 44.6 net average.

Reading the Defense: Week 12 IDP fantasy preview from NFL.com

Game Balls

Defensive line: From a defensive standpoint, Dontari Poe didn't do a whole lot with just three tackles. But he had a rushing touchdown. That's fun. Unless you have Charcandrick West on your team. Then that wasn't so fun. But ... Fat Guy Touchdown! That's always a good time.

Port Arthur NFL stars remember roots, give back from The Port Arthur News

Jordan and Jonathan Babineaux and Jamaal Charles, all Port Arthur residents and NFL stars, hosted their annual turkey basket giveaway. This year's event was held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Booker T. Washington Avenue on Tuesday.

A total of 200 turkey baskets were distributed at no charge on a first come, first serve basis.

Some 'food for thought' from The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The AFC teams that could pose the biggest threat to the Steelers' wild card chances is Kansas City.

The Chiefs appear to have righted themselves after a 1-5 start and could finish with a record as good as or better than the Steelers.

And the Chiefs own a win over the Steelers.

Heroes & Villains: Bucs fun again; Eagles crumble from NFL.com

Villains...

...2. Anyone ignoring the Chiefs: Left for dead at 1-5, Kansas City looked like a logical choice for a top-five pick with offensive centerpiece Jamaal Charles lost for the year to injury. Instead, they've been Patriots-like in their ability to plug a pair of young backs -- Charcandrick West and, on Sunday,Spencer Ware -- into the lineup. That depth has saved a Chiefs offense getting another strong season under center from the mostly reliable Alex Smith. It's Kansas City's powerful defense, though, that has saved Andy Reid's job and made the Chiefs a sexy pick for the wild card.

AFC Playoff Picture: Steelers are a freaky dark horse from NFL.com

Someone has to win the South -- the NFL says so. The Colts (5-5) currently own the tie-breaker, but the Texans(5-5) and Jaguars (4-6) are hot on Indy's tail. All three play each other down the stretch, leaving this anti-drama very much up for grabs.

None of those teams look as good as the Chiefs (5-5), riding a four-game win streak and fielding one of the conference's nastiest defensive lineups. They're talented enough to grab the AFC's second wild-card spot behind Pittsburgh -- maybe even the first -- barring a major uprising from the Jets andBills.

Which brings us to the New York Jets (5-5) and Buffalo (5-5), a pair of clubs that (A) can't touch the Patriots and (B) can't get out of their own way.