Adam Teicher, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Inability to force turnovers hasn't hurt Chiefs yet

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs have forced just 11 turnovers this season, which is tied for last in the league with the New York Jets and Oakland Raiders.

The Jets are 3-11, the Raiders 2-12. Being at the bottom of the takeaway list is almost always a death sentence. Other teams near the bottom of the league include Tennessee (2-12) and Washington (3-11).

The Chiefs, meanwhile, are 8-6 and still alive in the race for one of the AFC’s two wild-card spots. They will make the playoffs, in fact, if they win their final two regular-season games.

They’ve been able to survive where other teams haven't for a couple of reasons. First, the offense has committed just 16 turnovers, one of the lowest totals in the league.

The Chiefs have also done a nice job on third downs. Opponents convert on just 36.9 percent of third-down plays, which is eighth in the league

“Anything you can do on defense to get the ball back is the most important thing that you’re doing, whether you take it away in the sense of a turnover or you take it back by downs,’’ defensive coordinator Bob Sutton said. “That’s really what our ultimate job is, allow as few points as possible and get the ball back to the offense as fast as we possibly can. That’s when I think you’re playing really good complimentary football.

“We’ve had games where our offense has kept the ball for a significant amount of time. Obviously, we play pretty good defense over on the bench. We’re pretty damn good. Anytime they can do that, it’s a positive for us.’’

Sutton still shakes his head over the Chiefs’ lack of turnovers. They were second in the league in that category last year with 36, but evidently forgot how to do it.

The Chiefs have gone seven games without an interception. But they have dropped several chances in recent weeks.

“You just keeping thinking they’re going to come to you, but for whatever reason, we haven’t finished some of those plays off,’’ Sutton said.

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