He's quick to point the credit towards general manager John Dorsey for constructing a roster that could not only handle the kinds of injuries the Kansas City Chiefs have faced this year, but also thrive in the aftermath.
It's worth arguing that what the Chiefs have accomplished this season has been the best work of Andy Reid's illustrious career, and because of that, Reid deserves serious consideration for the NFL's Coach of the Year award.
But much like his players, four of whom were recently honored with Pro Bowl nominations, including two first-timers in Marcus Peters and Travis Kelce, who went no further than simply saying, "That's cool, but it's not what we're about," in regards to being honored among their peers, Reid isn't concerned with personal accomplishments or accolades.
That's not the focus, that's not the goal and that's not what's real.
What is real about the 2015 season thus far?
The Chiefs have been without their best offensive player and the franchise's all-time leading rusher—Jamaal Charles—since Week 5. Their best defensive player and the NFL's reigning sack leader—Justin Houston—has already missed more than a quarter of the season with a knee injury.
And that's just at the surface of what the Chiefs have dealt with this season.
After a 1-5 start that saw two heartbreaking losses in the final seconds of the first two home games—plus the injury to Charles in that devastating loss to the Chicago Bears—the stars had seemed to have aligned to where nobody would have been surprised if things had continued to spiral out of control for the Chiefs from there.
But that's not what happened.
They refused to let anything derail the belief they had in themselves that it wasn't too late to turn things around, and despite who was injured for the season or who was unable to go in any given week, there was confidence and trust in the next man up to get the job done.
Whether it was little-known second-year running back Charcandrick West out of Division II Abilene Christian, or this year's first-round pick, Marcus Peters, the guys have responded when their name was called.
The Chiefs join the 1970 Cincinnati Bengals as the only teams in NFL history to start the season with a 1-5 record and ultimately make the playoffs.
It's already been a historic run, and it's far from over.
But how do you spread the credit around after such an amazing turnaround?
Well, there's plenty to go around.
It starts with Dorsey and the personnel staff for putting together a roster with such depth that it could not only withstand, but also prosper through a variety of injuries to different key parts of the roster.
They've had injuries along the offensive line, starting with veteran Ben Grubbs, who coming into the season was the only player expected to start along the line that had been in the league for more than five years.
It was an already-young group and he was brought in to help solidify the core with a veteran presence.
Grubbs hasn't played since Week 7 and was placed on Injured Reserve on December 1 with a neck injury.
Former No. 1 overall pick Eric Fisher was set to begin the season at right tackle but wasn't able to play in the opener against the Houston Texans because of an ankle injury, and therefore, Jah Reid, who had been picked up by Dorsey and crew just six days earlier, started Week 1 against Houston.
Just nine starts later, Reid would sign a multi-year contract extension with the Chiefs.
Fisher took over at left tackle for the Chiefs back in Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers and they haven't lost a game since.
The most consistent offensive lineman for the Chiefs this year?
It's rookie second-round pick Mitch Morse, who leads all offensive linemen with 861 total snaps played.
Second-year player Zach Fulton has started at right guard, center and left guard already this season, providing key depth to an offensive line that has seen seven different starting combinations this season.
Here's a look at the game-by-game starters for the Chiefs offensive line.
|
Chiefs Starting Offensive Line Combinations in 2015 | ||||||
|
Week |
Opponent |
LT |
LG |
C |
RG |
RT |
|
1 |
@ Texans - W |
Donald |
Ben |
Mitch |
Larry |
Jah |
|
2 |
Broncos - L |
Donald |
Ben |
Mitch |
Larry |
Jah |
|
3 |
@ Packers - L |
Donald |
Ben |
Mitch |
Larry |
Eric |
|
4 |
@ Bengals - L |
Donald |
Ben |
Mitch |
Zach |
Eric |
|
5 |
Bears - L |
Donald |
Ben |
Mitch |
Zach |
Eric |
|
6 |
@ Vikings - L |
Donald |
Ben |
Mitch |
Zach |
Eric |
|
7 |
Steelers - W |
Eric |
Ben |
Mitch |
Larry |
Jeff |
|
8 |
Lions - W |
Eric |
Jeff |
Mitch |
Larry |
Jah |
|
BYE | ||||||
|
10 |
@ Broncos - W |
Eric |
Jeff |
Mitch |
Larry |
Jah |
|
11 |
@ Chargers - W |
Eric |
Jeff |
Mitch |
Larry |
Jah |
|
12 |
Bills - W |
Eric |
Jeff |
Mitch |
Larry |
Jah |
|
13 |
@ Raiders - W |
Eric |
Jeff |
Zach Fulton |
Larry |
Jah |
|
14 |
Chargers - W |
Eric |
Zach |
Mitch |
Larry |
Jah |
|
15 |
@ Ravens - W |
Eric |
Zach |
Mitch | Larry Duvernay-Tardif |
Jah |
|
16 |
Browns - W |
Eric |
Jeff |
Mitch |
Larry |
Jah |
With the season-ending foot injury to rookie tight end James O'Shaughnessy, the Chiefs have gotten 102 total snaps from another rookie in Brian Parker, who they picked up via waivers from the San Diego Chargers right before the season began.
In the defensive backfield, starting nickel cornerback Phillip Gaines was lost for the season with a torn ACL suffered in the Week 3 loss in Green Bay.
The versatile veteran Ron Parker, who has rotated between safety and cornerback throughout his time in Kansas City, was asked to move back inside to nickel after the injury to Gaines.
It's a difficult transition that Parker has handled beautifully and it's one of the most underappreciated storylines of a Chiefs defense that over the past nine games, has allowed just 12.3 points per game, which ranks as the best in the NFL.
The defensive line went eight straight games without Dontari Poe (Week 6), Mike DeVito (Weeks 7, 8, 14) and Allen Bailey (Weeks 10-13) all being available in the same game.
Jaye Howard, who was picked up on waivers from Seattle by Dorsey back in 2013, has been the one constant for the defensive line, and he's responded with a career year in terms of tackles (53) and sacks (4.5). He's also forced a fumble and recovered 2 of them.
Postgame facts and stats from the Chiefs Week 16 victory over the Browns
PLAYOFF BOUND: With a win over Cleveland today combined with a Pittsburgh loss at Baltimore, the Chiefs clinched a playoff spot, becoming just the second team in NFL history to start 1-5 and make the playoffs in the same season, joining the 1970 Cincinnati Bengals.
HISTORIC WINNING STREAK: After losing five consecutive games from Sept. 17, 2015 to Oct. 18, 2015, the Chiefs have won nine consecutive contests from Oct. 25, 2015 through today's victory. Kansas City becomes the only team in NFL history to win nine consecutive games following a five- game losing streak. The Chiefs nine-game win streak is tied for the longest winning streak in franchise history, with two other such streaks occurring in 2003 and 2013. Two of the three longest streaks (2013 & 2015) were under the leadership of Head Coach Andy Reid.
REID CONTINUES TO WIN: With today's win over the Cleveland Browns, Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid owns 170 career wins (regular and postseason), which ties former Cleveland head coach and Browns namesake Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach Paul Brown. His 30 wins in his first three seasons leading the Chiefs are the most by any Kansas City coach in his first three seasons.
ANOTHER 10-WIN SEASON: With today's win, the Chiefs have their second 10-win season in the past three years and it marks the 17th 10-win season in franchise history. With the win, Head Coach Andy Reid has recorded his second 10-win season in three years with the Chiefs. The only head coaches in Chiefs history with more 10-win seasons are Marty Schottenheimer and Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Hank Stram.
SMITH CONTINUES TO CLIMB CHARTS: Smith had six carries for 54 yards in today's contest, including a 29-yard rush, marking the second-longest rush in his career. Smith has 437 rushing yards this season, which sets a personal single-season career-high, as well as ranks first among quarterbacks in Chiefs history. Smith owns the top two spots on that list. His 75 rushes are the second most in a single season in his career as well as rank second among all Chiefs QBs in a single season. Smith also owns the top mark for rushing attempts in a season with 76 in 2013. Smith finished the day completing 15 of his 22 passes for 125 yards and two TDs, giving him 3,330 passing yards this season, which mark his single-season career best. His three best single-season passing totals have come in his three seasons with the Chiefs.
MACLIN SCORES ON OPENING DRIVE: WR Jeremy Maclin caught an 11-yard TD pass from QB Alex Smith, capping an 11-play, 65-yard drive, marking the seventh time this season the offense has scored on its opening drive. The Chiefs are 6-1 in those contests.
MACLIN TALLIES 1,000 RECEIVING YARDS: WR Jeremy Maclin finished the game with five catches for 49 yards and one TD, giving him 1,034 receiving yards on 84 receptions for the season. It marks his second career 1,000-yard receiving season after recording 1,318 receiving yards last season with the Philadelphia Eagles. He is the first Chiefs 1,000-yard receiver since Dwayne Bowe had 1,159 receiving yards in 2011. Maclin has seven receiving touchdowns this season, the most touchdown receptions by a Chiefs player since RB Jamaal Charles had seven receiving scores in 2013. His seven touchdown receptions are the most for a Chiefs wide receiver since Dwayne Bowe led the NFL with 15 touchdown receptions in 2010.
KELCE SCORES: TE Travis Kelce scored his fifth TD this season on a 13-yard connection with QB Alex Smith to give the Chiefs a 17-3 lead in the second quarter. His five receiving scores tie his single-season career-high mark set last season. With 43 yards on six catches, he set career-high numbers today for both catches (70) and receiving yards (864) in a single season. Kelce's 137 career catches are the third most by a tight end in Chiefs history.
SORENSEN BLOCKS FG: S Daniel Sorensen blocked a K Travis Coons FG attempt just before halftime to mark the first blocked field goal for the Chiefs since DE Jared Allen blocked a 49-yard Adam Vinatieri field goal at Indianapolis on November 18, 2007.
PETERS IN THE RECORD BOOK: CB Marcus Peters intercepted QB Johnny Manziel to record his eighth INT this season, which ties Bobby Hunt's rookie record set in 1962. His 25 passes defensed this season rank tied for first with Brandon Carr (2010) in Chiefs history. CB Marcus Peters has 280 return yards on eight interceptions, setting a single-season franchise record for interception return yards. He passed CB Mark McMillian who had 274 yards on eight interceptions in 1997. His 280 interception return yards lead the NFL this season and rank ninth in NFL history for most interception return yards in a single season.
SANTOS 30TH FG IN 2015: K Cairo Santos finished today's game converting a 40-yard field goal giving him 30 made field goals this season, which is tied for second in Chiefs history for most made field goals in a single season. With five points in today's game, K Cairo Santos has 126 points for the 2015 season, making him just the sixth player in Chiefs history to record 125 or more points in a single season. The six players have combined to record seven such seasons, with RB Priest Holmes recording two seasons of 125 or more points. He is the fourth Chiefs placekicker to join the 125-point club, following Jan Stenerud (1968), Nick Lowery (1990) and Lawrence Tynes (2005).
At outside linebacker, the Chiefs have relied on the expected impact of Justin Houston and Tamba Hali when they've been healthy, but in their absence, veteran Frank Zombo and second-year player Dee Ford have made enough plays to continue the defense's dominance throughout this winning streak, half of which has been without Houston coming off the edge.
Zombo has become particularly valuable, excelling on special teams and also filling in at both inside linebacker and outside linebacker throughout the season.
Last Sunday against the Browns, with both Houston and Hali out with injuries, Zombo played all 68 snaps for the Chiefs defense but didn't lessen his impact on special teams, where he tied for the team lead with 20 snaps.
All of this goes without saying of the return of Eric Berry and Derrick Johnson to lead this defense through all of these difficult times.
The "next man up" philosophy hasn't just been an overused cliché or punchline for this Chiefs team, but rather as a badge of honor to highlight what's truly been a team effort to pull off such a historic turnaround.
Led by Dorsey and his staff of dedicated evaluators, who largely go unappreciated for all of their behind-the-scenes work, Reid, who led the ship when times were difficult, the coaching staff as a whole, which had everyone ready to play, and the training staff, which quickly helped players get healthy and back on the field—the credit for what has transpired needs to be shared among all of these people, and obviously, with the players who were performing out on the field.
Here's a game-by-game look throughout this current nine-game winning streak as to who wasn't able to play and who stepped up in their place:
|
Closer Look at the "Next Man Up" Philosophy this season for the Chiefs | ||
|
Week 7 - Pittsburgh Steelers |
Key Players Out | |
|
The Chiefs won 23-13. |
Offense |
Defense |
|
GAME NOTES: With Maclin out (concussion), rookie Chris Conley and second-year receiver Albert Wilson combined for 9 receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown. It was Jeff Allen's season debut after missing time with a knee injury. Travis Kelce's key third-down catch in the fourth quarter was the biggest play in the game. |
Jamaal Charles |
Phillip Gaines |
|
Jeremy Maclin |
Mike DeVito | |
|
Jah Reid |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Week 8 - Detroit Lions |
Key Players Out | |
|
The Chiefs won 45-10. |
Offense |
Defense |
|
GAME NOTES:Just three weeks after Jamaal Charles was lost for the season with a torn ACL, the Chiefs had four different players rush for a touchdown during their blowout of the Lions across the pond in London. It was also Jah Reid's return to the lineup after not having started in the previous five games. Ron Parker, who had to move to nickelback after the season-ending injury to Phillip Gaines back in Week 3, finished with 2 of Kansas City's 7 sacks on the day. |
Jamaal Charles |
Phillip Gaines |
|
Ben Grubbs |
Mike DeVito | |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Week 10 - @ Denver Broncos |
Key Players Out | |
|
The Chiefs won 29-13. |
Offense |
Defense |
|
GAME NOTES:The Chiefs were on their fifth starting offensive line combination of the season during their definitive victory over the Broncos on the road in Week 10. With veteran defensive lineman Allen Bailey missing the game with a calf injury, the other guys rose to the challenge and held the Broncos offense to 40 total yards in the first half, keeping Peyton Manning 4 of 15 for 30 yards and 3 interceptions. Charcandrick West finished with 169 yards of total offense and 2 touchdowns. |
Jamaal Charles |
Phillip Gaines |
|
Ben Grubbs |
Allen Bailey | |
|
James O' Shaugnessy |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Week 11 - @ San Diego Chargers |
Key Players Out | |
|
The Chiefs won 33-3. |
Offense |
Defense |
|
GAME NOTES:Even without Allen Bailey and Dee Ford, the Chiefs defense managed to take care of business and hold the Chargers offense to just a field goal and 201 yards of total offense. The Chargers went into that game averaging 414 yards of offense per game, which ranked fourth-best in the NFL. Tamba Hali had 2 sacks and 3 tackles for loss in leading the defense. |
Jamaal Charles |
Phillip Gaines |
|
Ben Grubbs |
Allen Bailey | |
|
|
Dee Ford | |
|
|
|
|
|
Week 12 - Buffalo Bills |
Key Players Out | |
|
The Chiefs won 30-22. |
Offense |
Defense |
|
GAME NOTES:Justin Houston left the game early with a hyperextended knee injury and veteran Frank Zombo was asked to step in and make plays for the defense, which he did down the stretch in preserving their one-possession lead. Along the offensive line, left tackle Eric Fisher (neck) and center Mitch Morse (concussion) left the game with injuries and did not return. Jeff Allen also briefly left the game with an ankle injury, but came back and played his way through it. Donald Stephenson and Zach Fulton stepped in and paved the way for the Chiefs in the trenches. After Spencer Ware had relieved West (hamstring) in the previous game against the Chargers, this game was Ware's opportunity to shoulder the load for the Chiefs offense in the ground game, and he didn't disappoint. Ware finished the game with 19 carries for 114 yards and a touchdown. |
Jamaal Charles |
Phillip Gaines |
|
Ben Grubbs |
Allen Bailey | |
|
De'Anthony Thomas |
Dee Ford | |
|
Charcandrick West |
| |
|
James O'Shaughnessy |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Week 13 - @ Oakland Raiders |
Key Players Out | |
|
The Chiefs won 34-20. |
Offense |
Defense |
|
GAME NOTES:The Chiefs were down seven guys who came into the season set to be starters (Charles, Grubbs, Morse, Gaines, Bailey, Abdullah, Houston) against the Raiders. With four of those guys on the defense not playing, they ultimately leaned on three fourth-quarter interceptions by Josh Mauga, Marcus Peters and Tyvon Branch to pull out the victory. With Justin Houston out after being injured against the Bills in the previous game, Frank Zombo stepped in with 2 sacks, and Dee Ford's hit on Raiders QB Derek Carr forced the ball into the air on Mauga's interception—the defining play of the game. With Abdullah out, second-year safety Daniel Sorensen stepped in for the defense, adding a sack and quarterback hit as well. With Morse out because of a concussion, Zach Fulton stepped in at center for the Chiefs. He had never started at center at either the college or professional level before this game. |
Jamaal Charles |
Phillip Gaines |
|
Ben Grubbs |
Allen Bailey | |
|
James O' Shaugnessy |
Husain Abdullah | |
|
Mitch Morse |
Justin Houston | |
|
De'Anthony Thomas |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Week 14 - San Diego Chargers |
Key Players Out | |
|
The Chiefs won 10-3. |
Offense |
Defense |
|
GAME NOTES:This was the best game of Dee Ford's career, and it came at the absolute perfect time. On a rainy day at Arrowhead Stadium, Ford produced 3 sacks in a game that saw a total of 13 points scored between the two teams. Albert Wilson led the Chiefs with 4 receptions for a game-high 87 yards receiving and a key 44-yard touchdown strike from Alex Smith. After starting at right guard in Weeks 4-6 and center the week prior, second-year player Zach Fulton started at left guard. With Jeff Allen missing the game because of injury, Fulton once again stepped in wherever he was needed and helped the Chiefs offense rush for 150 yards on the day. |
Jamaal Charles |
Phillip Gaines |
|
Ben Grubbs |
Justin Houston | |
|
James O' Shaugnessy |
Mike DeVito | |
|
Jeff Allen |
Husain Abdullah | |
|
De'Anthony Thomas |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Week 15 - @ Baltimore Ravens |
Key Players Out | |
|
The Chiefs won 34-14. |
Offense |
Defense |
|
GAME NOTES:After moving over from safety earlier in the season because of the injury to Gaines, Ron Parker once again made his presence known at the nickel position, picking up his fourth sack of the season. In his career, Parker has 6 sacks, which is just 1 shy of the all-time Chiefs record for a defensive back. Parker's ability to seamlessly slide into the nickel position is one of the top storylines of a defense that has been the best in the NFL since Week 7, allowing just 12.3 points per game. Through the first 6 games of the season, Tyvon Branch had just 11 total tackles, but since Week 7 (and the current nine-game winning streak), Branch has accumulated 28 total tackles in picking up the slack with Abdullah missing time with a concussion. Daniel Sorensen has also seen extended playing time recently, picking up just 6 tackles in his first 10 games, but having 15 over the past five. |
Jamaal Charles |
Phillip Gaines |
|
Ben Grubbs |
Husain Abdullah | |
|
James O' Shaugnessy |
Justin Houston | |
|
Jeff Allen |
| |
|
De'Anthony Thomas |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Week 16 - Cleveland Browns |
Key Players Out | |
|
The Chiefs won 17-13. |
Offense |
Defense |
|
GAME NOTES:Without Pro Bowlers Justin Houston or Tamba Hali, the Chiefs still managed to pick up their ninth consecutive victory of the season with the win over the Browns. It ultimately earned them a spot in the playoffs after they started the season with a 1-5 record. Without four projected starters on the field for the defense, the Chiefs were still able to withstand three fourth-quarter drives by the Browns offense, defending 29 total plays in the final 15 minutes of the game. |
Jamaal Charles |
Phillip Gaines |
|
Ben Grubbs |
Justin Houston | |
|
James O' Shaugnessy |
Tamba Hali | |
|
|
Husain Abdullah | |
