Seth Keysor
realmnchiefsfan.bsky.social
Seth Keysor
@realmnchiefsfan.bsky.social
The Chief in The North Substack. Only Weird Games. Former: SB Nation, The Athletic. Lawyer. Former pastor. Married way up, 5 great kids. I'm tired. Jesus saves. https://mnchiefsfan.substack.com/
There's a lot of talk about the Chiefs' blitzes not hitting this year.

I wrote about what the problem is (predictability, in more than one way), and why IDK if there's an easy fix.

The hits, they aren't hitting in 2025.

mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/the-chiefs...
The Chiefs' old hits (the blitz) aren't hitting
The way Kansas City has succeeded in the past isn't working in 2025, and time is almost out.
mnchiefsfan.substack.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:38 PM
I wrote about the Chiefs' lack of stunt/twist usage, which isn't new in KC.

But when you consider their personnel and issues winning straight up, it's enough to drive you to distraction.

An interesting, if not fun, topic.

mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/why-arent-...
Why aren't the Chiefs using more DL stunts?
Diving into a mysterious decision in a season full of them.
mnchiefsfan.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 3:43 PM
The timing of this couldn't be worse given yesterday's loss, BUT if you've been on the fence to subscribe, this is the time (and share if you think you know someone who would like to take advantage!
I guess I should tell you the annual CITN Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale is up.

6 bucks a year, or if you go monthly, a dollar every month, to subscribe if you click the link below before Tuesday.

The Chiefs may disappoint, but this deal doesn't lol.

mnchiefsfan.substack.com/blackfriday2...
Subscribe to The Chief in the North Newsletter
Going beyond the box score to review, analyze, and discuss Kansas City Chiefs' game film. Occasional thoughts on parenting, lawyering, frozen pizzas, and the NFL as a whole. Click to read The Chief in...
mnchiefsfan.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:12 PM
I guess I should tell you the annual CITN Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale is up.

6 bucks a year, or if you go monthly, a dollar every month, to subscribe if you click the link below before Tuesday.

The Chiefs may disappoint, but this deal doesn't lol.

mnchiefsfan.substack.com/blackfriday2...
Subscribe to The Chief in the North Newsletter
Going beyond the box score to review, analyze, and discuss Kansas City Chiefs' game film. Occasional thoughts on parenting, lawyering, frozen pizzas, and the NFL as a whole. Click to read The Chief in...
mnchiefsfan.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:03 PM
"Almost."

From big plays missed to bad luck to hubris to flashes of greatness, the Chiefs' loss yesterday summed up the 2025 season in that single word.

I wrote about it.

mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/almost-the...
"Almost;" The 2025 Chiefs
Kansas City's Thanksgiving loss was a microcosm of a lost season.
mnchiefsfan.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Chris Jones and Arrowhead Stadium saved the Chiefs' season.

I wrote about one of the most special moments I've witnessed live at a Chiefs game; The defiance of Jones and the crowd in the face of a lost season.

It was incredible.

mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/watching-a...
Watching Arrowhead and Chris Jones save the Chiefs' season
I got to see something genuinely unique on Sunday in Kansas City.
mnchiefsfan.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Is the music stopping in Kansas City?

I wrote about what seems different with the Chiefs, and what is a continuation of what has been happening for several years even as they piled up wins.

Worth a read, I think. I'm not sure I hear it any more.

mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/is-the-mus...
Is the music stopping in Kansas City?
The Chiefs feel like they're out of magic in 2025.
mnchiefsfan.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:18 PM
I wrote about four "easy buttons" the Chiefs can push to make life easier on themselves post-bye.

From run game usage to utilizing their WRs better to leaning on their secondary more, they've got options if they're willing to be self-reflective.

mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/easy-butto...
Easy buttons; The Chiefs can make their lives easier in four ways post-bye
Football is complicated. But it's not impossible.
mnchiefsfan.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:57 PM
I wrote yesterday about Patrick Mahomes' film in Chiefs/Bills.

The gameplan wasn't one I liked, and the OL struggled, but Mahomes had his own stuff that added to the issues. Worth a read to get the whole picture.

mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/patrick-ma...
Patrick Mahomes Week 9 film review; Blame to share
A lot of blame has gone towards Andy Reid and the OL, but Mahomes wasn't faultless.
mnchiefsfan.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Kareem Hunt has been the best short-yardage RB in the NFL this year.

I wrote about what he does that help him succeed in those situations even if the play doesn't go perfectly.

A fun thing to write about.

mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/what-makes...
What makes Kareem Hunt a short yardage savant?
I looked at every short yardage attempt by the Chiefs' RB, who is a human tush push.
mnchiefsfan.substack.com
October 30, 2025 at 7:24 PM
I wrote about the way Patrick Mahomes weaponizes movement to create throwing windows and open receivers, and puts defenses in a tough bind.

It's something that doesn't show up in the stats sheet, even the advanced one. But it matters.

Read it.

mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/mahomes-cr...
Mahomes creates open receivers, and people miss that in the next gen stats convo
Looking at the way Mahomes weaponizes movement that doesn't get caught in statistical analysis.
mnchiefsfan.substack.com
October 23, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Andy Reid, screen demigod, has returned.

Lost in the shuffle of Rice's return is the way Brashard Smith (along with the interior OL) has helped unlock the Chiefs' screen game again.

I wrote about why football sickos everywhere should be rejoicing.

mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/brashard-s...
Brashard Smith is adding juice to Andy Reid's screen game again
The Chiefs are unlocking a long-lost aspect of their offense with the explosive rookie.
mnchiefsfan.substack.com
October 21, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Rashee Rice returned to the Chiefs today, and his impact was immediate in ways that show up on the box score and ways that don't.

I wrote about how Rice fills in the gaps on offense for KC and makes them incredibly scary.

mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/rashee-ric...
Rashee Rice is back, and changed the Chiefs' offense immediately
Rice filled in multiple gaps and affected the game in more ways than one.
mnchiefsfan.substack.com
October 19, 2025 at 11:45 PM
As promised, here is the Patrick Mahomes Weeks 3-6 SUPER film review.

I charted every snap of all four games and wrote about the beyond the box score takeaways. Short story: The fire-breathing dragon is back.

Read about it and cackle.

mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/patrick-ma...
Patrick Mahomes Week 3, 4, 5, and 6 super film review; Let's summarize elite QB play
Mahomes has been on a tear since the 2nd half of the Giants game. Let's talk about it
mnchiefsfan.substack.com
October 18, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Bryan Cook and the Chiefs safeties are playing good ball right now, especially in taking away "easy button" horizontal plays and helping Spags with disguises.

I wrote about it, and it was a lot of fun. You should read it.

mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/the-chiefs...
The Chiefs' safeties are playing good ball and helping the defense win horizontally
Taking a look at some of the things Cook, Conner, Hicks, and Chris Roland-Wallace are doing to help the defense
mnchiefsfan.substack.com
October 16, 2025 at 4:39 PM
The Chiefs got back to making the swing plays they've missed out on so far this year.

The result was a big win over a SB contender, and a message to the league.

I wrote about it. It was fun.

mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/back-to-re...
Back to reality; The Chiefs are making the plays they need to make again
Both the offense and the defense showed up in a big win over a SB contender.
mnchiefsfan.substack.com
October 13, 2025 at 4:21 PM
I wrote about how the Chiefs did everything possible to lose a game they should have won, with one self-inflicted wound after another.

It was astonishing, and no one was blameless. Let's talk about it, and the path forward.

Yay.

mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/the-chiefs...
The Chiefs handed a game over, and no one is blameless
Arguably the most self-inflicted loss of the Mahomes era took place in Jacksonville.
mnchiefsfan.substack.com
October 7, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Brashard Smith's playing time and role is slowly growing in the Chiefs' offense.

I wrote about where he's showing promise, where he needs to keep developing, and why Reid should continue to expand his role even as that happens.

mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/brashard-s...
Brashard Smith film review; The Chiefs' rookie needs a larger role as he develops
Smith saw more action in Week 4. Let's look at where he showed his value and development in small moments, and where he can improve.
mnchiefsfan.substack.com
October 3, 2025 at 4:17 PM
I wrote about Nohl Williams by popular demand.

The Chiefs' rookie CB has impressed with his physicality. I looked at every snap he's played the last 2 games and found smarts and good feet, too.

Small sample size alert, but... did they do it AGAIN?

mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/nohl-willi...
Nohl Williams film review; The Chiefs rookie CB is turning (and busting) heads
In a small sample size, Williams has looked promising. And physical.
mnchiefsfan.substack.com
October 2, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Xavier Worthy returned yesterday and made a huge impact for the Chiefs.

I wrote about how the 2nd-year WR not only generated big plays, but did little things that made life easier for Mahomes and KC's other weapons.

Read it and cackle maniacally.

mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/xavier-wor...
Xavier Worthy hit the ground running and changed the Chiefs' offense
The second-year WR wasted no time showing how he can help the offense, with and without the ball.
mnchiefsfan.substack.com
September 29, 2025 at 3:55 PM
The Chiefs' offense was putrid early against the Giants, then improved significantly as the game moved along.

I wrote about some of the things they did (and stopped doing), and how that could point a path forward now and once Worthy and Rice return.

mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/what-did-t...
What did the Chiefs do to improve vs the Giants in the 2nd half?
The 1st half was a disaster. What did they do in the 2nd half that allowed them to see more success?
mnchiefsfan.substack.com
September 25, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Tyquan Thornton has earned a larger role in the Chiefs offense moving forward... including when Rice/Worthy return.

I wrote about how the 4th-year WR is winning down the field AND at the line, and how his success could unlock the rest of the offense.

mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/tyquan-tho...
Tyquan Thornton has earned a much larger role in the Chiefs' offense
We're writing about the speedy wideout again, because he's shown he's the best WR in the room as of now.
mnchiefsfan.substack.com
September 22, 2025 at 4:42 PM
I wrote about Josh Simmons' tape against the Eagles, reviewing and charting each snap.

In a week with a lot of negative Chiefs coverage (which... fair), the rookie LT was a bright spot Sunday, even when on an island.

You should read about it.

mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/josh-simmo...
Josh Simmons film vs PHI; Good news time
Looking at every snap by the Chiefs' rookie LT in his second start.
mnchiefsfan.substack.com
September 19, 2025 at 3:31 PM
The Chiefs have some real issues in their run game, and it's currently lowering the floor of the offense.

One is schematic, and one relates to personnel. Both need to be addressed, and quickly.

Not a fun read, but there ARE some answers available.

mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/the-chiefs...
The Chiefs need to revamp their rushing attack... again
Reid and company aren't utilizing their OL (or their RBs) the way they ought to.
mnchiefsfan.substack.com
September 17, 2025 at 5:35 PM
I wrote about how the Chiefs have been living on the edge for 2 years, winning on key "swing" plays, and how through 2 weeks that's gone the other way even from their best players/coaches.

The result? An 0-2 record. But... there IS a path forward.

mnchiefsfan.substack.com/p/the-chiefs...
The Chiefs aren't making the swing plays they did last season
Kansas City has been living on the edge for a while now... and the big plays are suddenly not going their way.
mnchiefsfan.substack.com
September 15, 2025 at 1:04 PM