In an effort to maneuver previous the group’s robust loss to the Buffalo Payments in Week 11, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ offensive coordinator Matt Nagy is emphasizing the significance of execution throughout all phases of the offense as they put together for Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Carolina Panthers.
From shoring up safety alongside the offensive line to fostering higher rhythm with quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Nagy believes the group has the instruments to bounce again, observing that in its ultimate landing drive in opposition to Buffalo, the offense confirmed “a way of urgency.”
“You noticed what occurred,” Nagy reminded reporters on Thursday. “We moved the ball just a little bit, there was a tempo out and in. We’ve had these this yr — and we’ve additionally had a whole lot of lengthy drives the place there [have been] 18-19 performs and scored touchdowns… Let’s get that rhythm going — and we’ve obtained the fellows to do it. I believe the fellows have understood the place we’re at. We wish to get again on observe.”
For the Chiefs, that begins with the offensive line. The unit has surrendered 10 sacks of their final three video games after permitting simply 12 within the first seven. In accordance with Nagy, its success begins with constant communication — particularly in hostile street environments like Buffalo.
“Safety clever, I all the time begin off with the communication half,” he famous. “Are we getting the communication half down in recreation? So [when] you go on the street final week in Buffalo, it’s loud. It’s all the time going to be that means on the street. I believe our communication has been fairly good for essentially the most half.”
Nonetheless, the strain obtained to Mahomes all through the afternoon. The Payments sacked him twice. On his first cross of the sport, Buffalo’s strain pressured him to make a throw whereas being tackled. That led to an interception — which Nagy sees as a studying alternative for each the offensive line and his quarterback.
“There are a whole lot of occasions when [we] drop again in apply and it’s all on time and in rhythm,” he defined. “We apply a whole lot of that. We nonetheless all the time apply off to the aspect engaged on [his] toes and ensuring that [he’s] working totally different angles and actions.
“However [when] you get within the recreation, it’s all the time so totally different; it’s onerous to copy that. So it’s by no means good [and] it’s by no means straightforward. And I believe that’s the place Pat has actually grown over his profession: with the ability to use his toes to search out totally different ranges to throw the soccer.”
That consolation within the pocket is particularly vital for unlocking the Chiefs’ explosive performs. Simply the identical, the connection between Mahomes and rookie broad receiver Xavier Worthy stays a piece in progress. That was demonstrated by a deep cross in Buffalo the place a slight overthrow made it troublesome for Worthy to get two toes inbounds on the catch. Nagy acknowledges these moments are a part of the method — but additionally is aware of enhancing them is a key to the offense reaching its full potential.
“Patrick all the time begins with himself,” remarked Nagy. “[He asks,] ‘Might I’ve gotten the ball out earlier?’ Xavier [also] begins with himself: ‘Ought to I’ve had extra consciousness to attempt to toe-tap and catch that ball?’ We [coaches] begin with ourselves: ‘Are we establishing the play the correct means?’
“They know that it’s part of the deal. It’s a recreation of inches — that definitely was part of that — however we wish to get these. We have to get these massive chunk performs.”
