I Still Cannot Believe Andy Reid Went For It Last Night On 4th Down In a Tie Game On His Own 31

Jamie Squire. Getty Images.

The Chiefs are reeling, more than we've ever seen during the Mahomes era in Kansas City. While it does actually seem like they're going to miss the playoffs and soon be playing in irrelevant December games, I'm still not saying they're fully dead simply because this team has played in the AFC title game for the last 7 years. With that being said, it's looking pretty fucking bleak. They really needed to win last night at home against the Texans, a team they're fighting tooth and nail with to snag a wild card spot. 

There was a situation last night in the loss that I cannot shake. It doesn't make a lick of sense any time I think back. To add some context, the Chiefs worked like hell to get back in this game after trailing 10-0 at half time. The KC defense came out on fire to start the 2nd half as one desperate last gasp to light a fire under the rest of the team. It was almost as if the players told Chris Jones that his family was being held captive and they'd only be released unharmed if he started playing out of his mind. His effort along with the rest of the defense got the Chiefs back in control with the ball in a tie game. With 10 minutes to go the Texans stopped Mahomes on a scramble to set up a 4th and 1 that was more like 4th and 1.5. Based on how the game was unfolding I didn't think there was even a conversation to be had about punting the football there. I don't even think Dan Campbell goes for that. The way you got back in this game was leaning on your defense. Hell, the Chiefs sole touchdown came after field position flipped following an immediate three and out by Houston to start the 3rd quarter. In my mind the only way the Texans win that game is if you gift them back field position. So what did Andy Reid do on 4th and 1 from their own 31 and just under 10:30 left in the game? He went for it and the amazing Texans defense got the stop to swing the game and all but certainly end the Chiefs season. I still cannot believe they actually snapped this ball. 

I'll never understand that decision, especially when you've watched this KC offense struggle all season long. They have numerous injuries to their offensive line that have limited any momentum Mahomes has been able to create. It's not like 1) the offense was unstopped all game or 2) their defense was failing them. This was a 10-10 football game where field position meant everything. I'm not willing to go as far as newly hired Barstool Greg to say Andy Reid should retire, but it was such a brain dead decision that it makes you question what the hell the big guy was thinking. Like that's a decision you see from someone like Sean McDermott in a big game, not Reid. 

Still insane to leave a season deciding game in the 4th quarter when it was just a one possession game. The Chiefs already got the ball back by the time he posted this video. Very confusing behavior, especially from a man who says he never stops.  

But back to the Chiefs. It's just crazy to feel out the game the way it was unfolding and hand the game to the Texans like that. You could not afford to lose this game if the playoffs were to remain a possibility. Now you have to win out and get a load of help from other teams that seems too much to ask for. If they punt the ball there I'd be willing to guess they go on and win the game. Hell, if they punt the ball the Chiefs probably go to the playoffs. Instead they're looking at meaningless December games in the not too distant future. I cannot believe they snapped that ball.