What is Arrowhead Pride Premier? Arrowhead Pride Premier is our tri-weekly newsletter, one that provides analysis and exclusive insights directly from Arrowhead Stadium, delivered straight to your inbox. Below is a preview of the latest edition. Click here for the last preview.
The AFC championship is on the line this week
By Brandon Kiley
This Chiefs team is boring. I don’t mean that as a slight. In a million different ways, it’s a compliment. It’s yet another way they’ve evolved into the late-2010s New England Patriots.
That’s certainly not a bad model to follow. Bill Belichick used to tell his teams, “You can’t win until you keep from losing.” Tom Brady referenced his old coach’s saying on the FOX broadcast while he watched the Lions implode on live television.
The Lions were everyone’s favorite team to watch this season. And, even in their divisional round loss, they went out with a bang. Detroit racked up more than 500 total yards, averaged a robust 7.7 yards per play and finished with more than 30 points.
Those are the types of numbers that generally win football games. Not this time. Not when you turn it over five times.
Belichick’s old adage has some truth to it. Turnovers are the great equalizer. Avoid them offensively and force them defensively, and you’re well on your way to victory. Teams that win the turnover battle are already 8-0 this postseason. In fact, teams that win the turnover battle in the playoffs are a staggering 140-40 (78 percent winning percentage) since 2004.
Football is a complicated game, but turnover margin makes it quite simple. Win that battle, and you win the game 80 percent of the time. That is a solid starting point.
Now is a good time to mention the Kansas City Chiefs have not committed a turnover in their past eight football games. That is not a typo. There have been 280 turnovers league-wide since the last time the Chiefs turned it over. It is the longest streak without committing a turnover by any team in the Super Bowl era. It’s a remarkable feat, and it helps to explain why this team was playoff-ready.
What else is in this edition?
- Brandon provides some further initial analysis.
- A full link to the hour-long Editors Show podcast (more below).
- Pete provides 3 Chiefs facts to share with your friends.
This week’s Editors Show
Here is a preview of this week’s Editors Show featuring Pete Sweeney and John Dixon.
As mentioned, AP Premier subscribers receive a link in their Tuesday newsletter to the entire hour-long video podcast.
What else is included in a subscription?
You can expect 3 weekly newsletters during the season. In addition to our usual Tuesday column…
- In our preview newsletter — typically on Thursdays — Pete has three big thoughts heading into the game, Rocky Magaña highlights a pivotal matchup to watch — and John Dixon shares some background on one of the upcoming game’s biggest storylines.
- In our post-game newsletter, Pete provides his three thoughts stemming from each performance, Ron Kopp delivers his very first look at the film — and Jared Sapp captures everything being said about the turning point of the game.
How to sign up for Arrowhead Pride Premier
Subscribe today through this link for even more Chiefs coverage this season — and right now, we have a coupon code to give you 25% off for the entire year.
Enter coupon code PODCAST25 to receive 25% off your annual subscription.