KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- It would take a Nobel Prize-winning mathematician, or perhaps psychologist, to reconcile one of the biggest statistical oddities involving the Kansas City Chiefs this season.
They have the NFL's worst defense by a longshot, allowing more than 450 yards per game, and they appear to be equally inept at stopping the run and the pass. Yet when they do manage to stop a team on first and second down, they suddenly become the league's best defense on third downs.
Yes, that same sieve-like defense allows a conversion rate of a measly 23.8 percent.
When asked to explain the disparity, Chiefs coach Andy Reid pointed to a sense of pride within his defense, a certain back-against-the-wall mentality that brings out their best. Players pointed to the same thing, though several of them acknowledged Wednesday the dichotomy makes little sense.