2023 Kansas City Chiefs: A Spectacular Example of “Champagne Problems”

2023 Kansas City Chiefs are a example of “Champagne Problems” They have a perennial MVP candidate playing quarterback, future hall of fame members at head coach and tight end and an improving defense. I first remember hearing the term Champagne problems used by a football coach several years ago, [possibly Bobby Bowden], to denote problems that are minor and only experienced by the privileged.

To win the Super Bowl, the Kansas City Chiefs will need to address several key aspects of their game, both on and off the field. Here’s a list of what they are likely considering:

2023 Kansas City Chiefs Defense:

• • If the 2023 Kansas City Chiefs are to win a Super Bowl, their defense, particularly the secondary and linebackers, must improve at preventing big plays by opponents.
  • Focus on improving their pass rush to put pressure on the opposing quarterbacks. The pass rush has improved all season. In the loss to the Broncos they generated six sacks, after games of three, four and five sacks in the preceding weeks.
  • In 2023 Kansas City Chiefs have allowed only teams 47.06% third down conversion. But the 2023 Kansas City Chief are 25th in turnover margin. They must generate more turnovers.

    

    2023 Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Balance:

  • Continue to utilize their high-powered offense but aim for more balance between the passing and running games to keep opposing defenses guessing.
  • Empower and allow the offensive line to protect Patrick Mahomes and open up running lanes. Getting downhill more often in the run game should help.
  • Rashee Rice has 361 yards receiving on 30 catches, three touchdowns, with 249 of those yards after the catch. As he emerges as the counterpoint to Kelce in the passing game. He has a 41” vertical and led the NCAA at 112.9 yards per game in receptions.

2023 Kansas City Chiefs: Special Teams

• • Place more focus a special teams unit that is consistently effective, including field goals, punts, and kick returns.

2023 Kansas City Chiefs: Coaching and Game Planning

• • Andy Reid and his coaching staff prepare well for each game and have sound game plans, making in-game adjustments as necessary.
  • They are usually that the team is disciplined but they must avoid costly penalties.

• 2023 Kansas City Chiefs: Depth and Injury Management:

  • The chiefs have a deep enough roster a  to handle injuries and provide quality backups., with a few exceptions.

  • Dr. Michael E. Monaco, MD, has implemented effective injury prevention and rehabilitation strategies. He helped Mahomes to keep playing last season. At some point he and his staff will be important again.

• 2023 Kansas City Chiefs: Resiliency/Mental Toughness:

  • The Kansas City Chiefs are a mentally tough team that can handle the pressures of the playoffs and the Super Bowl, but finding more leadership, especially in the safety group would help.
  • They have grown resilient mindset to overcome adversity during games.

• 2023 Kansas City Chiefs: Opponent Analysis:

  • The Chiefs scout and analyze their potential playoff opponents quite well, identifying weaknesses and creating strategies to exploit them.

• 2023 Kansas City Chiefs:Team Chemistry:

  • Kansas City’s strong team cohesion and chemistry create a positive and supportive locker room atmosphere.
  • They have rare trust and communication among players and coaches.

2023 Kansas City Chiefs: Mindset

• Avoid Complacency: guarding against complacency, is always vital when a team has had so much recent success and keep the team hungry and motivated to win another championship.2023 Kansas City Chiefs: Focus on Red Zone Efficiency:

• Improving red zone efficiency on both offense and defense is a must. The Kansas City Chiefs are scoring touchdowns on 51.61% of their red-zone opportunities. That is not a “Champagne Problem.” Scoring touchdowns just over half of your trips to the red-zone is closer to a “Meat and Potatoes” Problem.

• The Kansas City Chiefs have run for an average of 105.1 yards per game this season. That is down about 10 yards from the past two seasons.

• I firmly believe that that number should and will increase. An increase of 20 yards per game may not seem dramatic, however leaning on a defense slows their pass rush and builds a domination mindset in the offensive line.

The Kansas City Chiefs running backs are very good, but as team they are only averaging 4.2 yards a carry and are converting only 47.06% on third down.

• Diversifying the running game should help, Isiah Pacheco has hit 20 carries only once, versus the Jets. In that game he had 115 yards rushing, as well as three catches for 43 yards and rushing  touchdown. Allow him to have more 20+ touch games and defenses are forced to prepare for a running game.
• If the whole offensive skill group: quarterbacks, running backs, tight ends and wide receivers are more involved in carrying the ball it changes the way teams prepare for the Kansas City Chiefs.
• The Kansas City Chiefs run the ball 38.7% of their plays on offense, only four teams are more pass heave and only the Bengals have a winning record.
• Running the ball should include more called runs for Patrick Lavon Mahomes II. In 2023 he has 36 rushes, most of which were scrambles. He has 234 yards rushing and 6.5 yards per carry.
• More called QB runs create a math problem, especially in the red-zone. Most teams bracket Travis Kelce, meaning a linebacker or safety has him underneath with a corner, nickel or safety over the top. If the quarterback is a threat to run it is dangerous to play man coverage and you have no player left to ‘spy’ the QB.
• Analytics and Technology:
• As some may know the Kansas City Chiefs are on the forefront of utilizing advanced analytics and technology to gain a competitive edge in game planning, player performance, and opponent analysis.

• When the Eagles won the Super Bowl they, quite literally, followed an analytical map that came from Kansas City.

Dom Pérignon, you brought it
No crowd of friends applauded
Your hometown skeptics called it
Champagne problems

From Champagne Problems Song by Taylor Swift

Frankly, winning a Super Bowl requires a combination of talent, preparation, execution, and a little bit of luck. The Kansas City Chiefs have exactly the proper mix of athletic arrogance, experience, leadership and young talent, to secure their chance of hoisting another Lombardi Trophy.

To avoid having the hometown skeptics being right about the Chiefs, they need be a little more body punchers and a little less finesse. But the 2023 Kansas City Chiefs are 6-2, the AFC West is firmly in their hands. If they ugly it up they will be popping bottles and will avoid Champagne Problems.