Bobby Burack
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Chiefs running back coach Deland McCullough told the Kansas City Star that it appears Clyde Edwards-Helaire will be ready in a “couple of weeks.”
The report doesn’t specify if the target return is the divisional round or the AFC Championship Game, which Chiefs would have to advance to get to.
Chiefs RB coach Deland McCullough said it appears Clyde Edwards-Helaire will be ready in a couple of weeks.
— Sam McDowell (@SamMcDowell11) December 31, 2020
Edwards-Helaire’s health and availability could play a vital role in the fate of the Chiefs’ season. In a potential playoff matchup with Buffalo, Kansas City will need Edwards-Helaire near 100%. In Week 6, Edwards-Helaire’s 162 rushing yards was the difference in the Chiefs’ 26-17 win over the Bills.
Kansas City also isn’t in a position to play without its weapons. From September to December, its offense regressed dramatically. The last time the starters played together, they produced just 17 points against a poor Falcons’ defense. Patrick Mahomes was not in sync with his receivers for the entire month of December. The Chiefs have not won a game by more than 6 points since November 1.
By contrast, the Bills are hitting on all cylinders, blowing everyone out. Should both teams head into the matchup in their post-Thanksgiving forms, the Bills would slaughter the Chiefs, though that might be looking too far ahead.
Assuming both the Bills and Steelers win this weekend — both are favored — the Chiefs will host the winner of the Ravens-Titans matchup in the divisional round. The Ravens and Titans are the NFL’s two most dangerous teams on the ground, so Kansas City would have to counter with a better option than Le’Veon Bell and his dial-up internet speed.
For all the hype Mahomes, Hill, and Kelce receive — Damien Williams, the running back, was the Chiefs’ best player in last season’s Super Bowl.
I don’t see the Chiefs repeating as champions. The team has unfixable issues on the offensive line and on defense, but I like their chances far more with a healthy Clyde Edwards-Helaire on the ground.
The main thing to remember about KC is what happened last year when they flipped the switch in the postseason. With the bye I’m expecting the same thing this year. How they’ve played down the stretch might be good enough to beat the Ravens or Titans, but certainly not the Bills.