You know that when you are nine and zero, you are flying! But that’s when you have got to keep your wits intact and keep doing what you have been doing to pass each game week. And that’s what the Chiefs have been doing, pushing with all the injuries mounting. Now, ahead of week 11, they’re up against the Bills (high on 8-2 themselves), and Coach Andy Reid’s already hinting at a few lineup twists. Pacheco and Omenihu are “unlikely” for the game. But JuJu might just make it back.

Typical Reid, keeping things just vague enough to keep us guessing. But hey, wouldn’t be a week without some cryptic player messages, right? Enter Charles Omenihu, whose recent social post didn’t exactly shy away from the tension: “I just want my respect. Gah damn.”

Now, here’s a guy who turned down the Chiefs’ last contract extension and is coming off an ACL injury in a contract year. So, yeah, he’s hungry to prove his worth and show KC he’s worth the re-up.

But as far as the week 11 is concerned, the Chiefs Kingdom must take Andy Reid’s word for what it is. Trusted RB? Yeah, Pacheco’s been sidelined since week 2 after a tough fibula fracture against the Bengals. Now, Omenihu? Torn ACL, ouch. That one is a wrecking ball.

With Pacheco’s ground game on ice and Omenihu itching to get back in (and leaving sideline drama), you can bet the practice chatter is heating up. So what’s Coach Reid’s play here? If Omenihu manages a comeback soon, that Chiefs’ D-line could be in for a serious boost. If not, then… Josh Allen and Co. might be in for a treat.

Andy Reid’s D-line needs more tidying to do

Andy Reid’s “Friendship mantra” might be working wonders on offense, especially with Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce clicking like the league’s ultimate duo. But as for the defense? Well, they could use a bit more TLC—or at least a serious tune-up. The D-line is struggling to hold its own, and offenses across the league are finding ways to exploit them.

Take Sunday’s nail-biter against the Broncos. The Chiefs narrowly avoided a loss, and even Reid admitted post-game, “You’d probably say that [the Broncos] outplayed us [Sunday], and then they end up not winning the game.” Chiefs Kingdom might be glad they’ve got a two-game lead in the AFC, but with the 8-2 Bills coming up, it’s clear that this defense needs to step up. Fast.

Right now, the Chiefs rank 26th in the league in sacks, with just 19 on the season. By this point last season, they had racked up 31. Sure, we can name the never-ending list as the kryptonite—Omenihu, Chris Jones (out for the season opener). Still, the pass rush isn’t firing like it used to, which is worrisome. What’s worse? CB Jaylen Watson is out indefinitely due to a fractured ankle. Trouble brewing in the name of 3-peat? They cannot afford that when they have the momentum with them.

The Chiefs need everyone in that rotation firing on all cylinders. This D-line has a lot of tidying up to do if they want to make a real run this season. The offense has done well gaining those lost points, but the leak at the back needs to stop.