Eric Berry’s imminent return creates tantalizing new reality for Chiefs

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Here’s something new: Eric Berry will almost certainly practice this coming week for the first time in more than 100 days. The jokes about seeing Sasquatch and getting better every day without actually getting better can end, sort of.

Because he’s still unlikely to play in the Chiefs’ next game, at Oakland on Dec. 2, according to a team source.

But barring a major setback, his return is now officially a matter of when, not if, and the team he will return to is so much different and better than the one he last practiced with.

The Chiefs have pole position for postseason homefield advantage and are the betting favorite to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.

Done right, and perhaps with a little luck, the return of Berry solves the Chiefs’ single most glaring weakness and would represent the most significant in-season talent addition for any AFC contender with the possible exception of the Chargers’ Joey Bosa.

Because, well, this is weird to say out loud …

— whispers —

(the Chiefs would be undefeated if Eric Berry had been healthy all season)

— clears throat —

OK, where were we? Yes, yes, Eric Berry. The spots where he can help are numerous and obvious but for now lets focus on the fourth quarter against the Rams.

The Chiefs led by four until a six-play, 75-yard drive that exploited the Chiefs’ safeties, which is the weakest position group on their roster. The big play was 36 yards downfield to Robert Woods, who was double covered until he juked Eric Murray to the outside, creating five yards or so of separation for a pass inside the 10.

Then, on third down, Rams quarterback Jared Goff saw Daniel Sorensen in man coverage on tight end Gerald Everett, who was open on a simple in-route for a clean touchdown.

After the Chiefs regained the lead, the Rams took the ball with under 3 minutes left and went back to work on their opponent’s biggest weakness. After Orlando Scandrick’s near-interception, Goff threw his final three passes to Sorensen’s coverage, all of them completions, the last one a 40-yarder to Everett.

Before the snap, Goff saw Ron Parker creeping toward the line of scrimmage after a receiver went in motion, a tell that the Cover-2 look was a disguise. Sorensen would be without help along the right side. Goff knew where to throw.

These plays are merely the most consequential and recent examples of the void left with Berry’s absence. They are not presented to demean. Murray, Parker, and Sorensen are good teammates but are being asked to cover problems above their talent level.