Its not a democracy for the Chiefs when it comes to fourth-down decisions.
The final call to try and pick up a first down or punt the ball away belongs to head coach Andy Reid, which is probably a good thing.
I want to go for it every single time, quarterback Patrick Mahomes said.
If that happened, the Chiefs terrific success rate throughout the season and especially in their divisional playoff victory over the Indianapolis Colts might have taken a hit.
As it stands, Reid has been on point. During the regular season, the Chiefs converted 12 of 15 fourth-down attempts.
In last weeks divisional-round victory over the Colts, the Chiefs were successful three times in four fourth-down attempts.
Notable about the statistic: They all came with the Chiefs leading and not furiously playing catch-up. They were not taking a fourth-down risk out of desperation. Aggressiveness was part of the plan.
Every situation is different, Reid said. I liked it last week. I cant tell you that I would this week.
Against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, the Chiefs could find themselves in similar situations and play it differently.
But things couldnt have worked out better last weekend.
The Chiefs led 7-0 when they faced a fourth-and-1 from the Colts 47. With fullback Anthony Sherman as the lead blocker, a hole up the middle opened to a point that tackle Mitchell Schwartz didnt find someone to block until he reached the second level.
On the next snap, receiver Tyreek Hill scored on a 36-yard end-around.
One possession later, Williams again got the call with Sherman leading the way from the Indianapolis 35. This one picked up four yards and the drive ended with a field goal.
The next two attempts came on the first possession of the second half. Williams picked up two yards on a fourth and 1 from the Colts 40. But the drive ended when Patrick Mahomes was sacked on a fourth and 5 from the 33.
On at least two occasions, the Chiefs were too far away to attempt a field goal. And on a snowy and windy day, they chose not to send out kicker Harrison Butker and the field-goal unit for what would have been two long attempts.
Field conditions also play into such decisions.
