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Denver, which has won its five other games, couldn't do it.
Green Bay, which had a 17-point fourth-quarter lead at Lambeau Field, couldn't
do it.
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The question now facing the 6-0 Chiefs with two of their more difficult games in the past: Who is going to beat them?
The Chiefs, beginning with Monday night's game at Oakland, are heading into
what appears to be a soft six-game stretch of schedule. It includes four games
against teams that currently have losing records and two against teams that
are .500. NFL Tickets
On Monday, a day after the Chiefs rallied for a 40-34 overtime victory against
the Packers, coach Dick Vermeil wouldn't discuss the possibility his team could
be 12-0 by the time they go to Mile High Stadium for a Dec. 7 rematch against
the Broncos.
But Vermeil said he believes the Chiefs can be competitive with any team they
play no matter its style or strength.
“We believe… we're very, very tough to beat,” Vermeil said.
“We also believe that we haven't played our best football yet.
“I'm not surprised to be 6-0, but I also know we're fortunate to be 6-0.”
Vermeil was referring to the victories against Denver and Green Bay. Breaks
on key plays went the Chiefs' way. NFL Tickets
Officials missed an apparent clipping penalty on Dante Hall's 93-yard fourth-quarter
punt return against the Broncos. Packers safety Darren Sharper dropped an easy
catch in overtime Sunday and he would have been able to return the interception
for the winning touchdown.
“Sometimes you win a ballgame because of good fortune,” Vermeil
said.
“But when you win three games like we have, I think it's a sign of something
deeper than just good fortune.”
The Chiefs have played two overmatched opponents in San Diego and Houston. The
four others tested them in a variety of ways. NFL Tickets
Pittsburgh used a big-play passing game. Baltimore showed a strong defense and
powerful running game. Denver is perhaps the NFL's most balanced team with strengths
on offense and defense. Green Bay has one of league's best multidimensional
offenses.
All had their shots to win. The Steelers, Broncos and Packers held double-digit
leads.
None could finish the job.
“When the opponent makes a big play, it doesn't psychologically kill us,”
Vermeil said. “The momentum swings aren't as glaringly negative when they
go against us as I have seen in teams I have coached and teams I have seen play.
NFL Tickets
“Yes, we've had some things go wrong and we've had some adversity, but
they've handled it pretty well and kept the thought in mind that we can still
win the football game. So (two) games in a row we've come from behind to win.
“We're not as good as I thought we'd be by now. I'm not talking about
win-loss records. I just thought we'd be doing some things better than we're
doing them right now.”
Foremost is a run defense that allowed 202, 176 and 183 yards in the last three
games. The Chiefs yield a woeful 4.9 yards per carry, worst in the NFL.
“That doesn't fit the profile of a championship football team,”
Vermeil said. “Now, championship football teams do from time to time give
up that many yards.” NFL Tickets
The Chiefs played against three of the NFL's top backs the last three weeks
in Baltimore's Jamal Lewis, Denver's Clinton Portis and Green Bay's Ahman Green.
The runners they will see in coming games are nowhere near as dangerous. But
the Chiefs figure to see a steady diet of runs until the defense shows the ability
to stop them.
Recent opponents have taken to getting physical with the Chiefs when they've
run the ball. Lewis and the Ravens simply beat on the Chiefs until they wore
them down.
The Packers frequently inserted backup tackle Kevin Barry as an extra tight
end and ran Green at the Chiefs that way. They were trying to take advantage
of what might be the Chiefs' biggest weakness.
The Chiefs are far more athletic and fast on defense than last season, but perhaps
not as physical. So the Chiefs might see that tactic more often until they get
better at defending it.