OFFENSE: The O-line looks like a quilt. Not one starter from last year's starting line, in fact a rookie under center, a guard making his first NFL start and a tackle that just arrived in town last week, and had about four days to study the complex Andy Reid playbook. And all they had to do is face arguably the nastiest defensive line in the NFL, and unquestionably the best individual defensive player in J. J. Watt. The line held up. They did allow Watt a couple of sacks and a total of six tackles behind the line, but they never let him disrupt the game the way is capable of doing. On the other hand, the line could not open running lanes, and Jamaal and Knile were never able to get anything going on the ground. This lack of a running game hampered the ability to chew up the clock and salt away the game in the second half. Kelce was a beast with six grabs for 106 and two scores. Maclin had a respectable day, as well - almost making a circus catch in the second half that was overturned on review. Maclin is a major upgrade from Bowe. For one thing, he led the NFL last year with the fewest dropped balls. But yet another game goes by without a TD by a wide out. Smith was very efficient, completing over 2/3 of his attempts with no picks and three TD's. He also picked up a couple of first downs with his legs. At least one of those looked like a designed play - an old fashioned, Barry Switzer-style Oklahoma option. Solid job against a solid defense on the road, indoors.
DEFENSE: The front seven remains the best unit in league, in my opinion. Bringing back Poe, DeVito, Johnson and the emergence of Ford, plus the incomparable duo of Hali and Houston clearly put this bunch in elite status. The real unsung gamers yesterday were backups Jaye Howard and Allen Bailey. Howard had a sack, and Bailey had two, they made 9 tackles between them and Bailey had a fumble recovery on a QB strip by Houston. Safety is another strength on this team with Parker, Abdullah and Berry. However the corners were exposed a bit in the second half. Young Marcus Peters showed flashes, making a nice pick of the Texan's first pass attempt. He showed great recovery speed to break up passes. But he plays too far off receivers and got burned a few times. There were two TD's scored on him, although he had decent position on both, he couldn't make the play. Fleming is probably the weak link, as he attempts to fill in for Sean Smith, who is suspended for an offseason DUI. He was second on the team in tackles, but that was mostly because his man caught the ball a lot. He got away with an interference in the first half, and was often not in good position, or did not look back for the ball. That will get you flagged in this league, more often than not. Expect Manning to look for #30 early and often on Thursday.
SPECIALS: We still have the best punter in the NFL, despite two touchbacks on balls that could have been downed inside the 5, caused by flyers who stepped over the goal line. Santos looked pretty solid except on that 50-yarder. It was 4th and 1 there, and at that stage of the game, I'd have gone for it. What do you have to lose? Even if you don't make it, the ball is still 7 or 8 yards farther back than if you miss the field goal. The goof ups by the flyers not having the presence to know where the goal line is, cost the team on two drives. DAT, on the other hand, had a great game. He had over a 16 yard average on punt returns. You'll take that every day. Thomas had one fumble, but thankfully KC recovered it. The punt and kick coverage teams did a solid job, allowing just 3.5 yards per return.
THROW HIM A BONE: I'm giving it this week to Travis Kelce. What more can you ask of the guy? Over 100 yards receiving and two scores, sure. You expect that. But he also did a respectable job blocking - not usually his forté - against a very aggressive defense.
DOGGITY DOG: I like it when it's hard to decide because there were not really any stinky performances, but I'm giving it to Eric "oh! I think it's broken!" Fisher, who, despite a full week of practice at right tackle, suddenly came up lame when he had to start against J. J. Watt, forcing Reid to start a guy who was playing X-box a week ago.
The AFC WEST:
Doper Donkeys - They barely escaped at home against the Ravens in what had to be the worst looking game by two allegedly good teams that I can remember. Both teams had their only TD's on Pick-6's. Neither Peyton Manning or Joe Flacco - about $40 million worth of 2015 payroll - could find the end zone. In fact, the first play for either team inside the red zone didn't come until late in the 3rd quarter, and it only lasted one play before the runner was thrown for a loss. This was as riveting as a nil-nil draw in a rec-league soccer match.
Beach Bum Bolts - They also barely won at home against the Lions. Phyllis Rivers threw two INT's including a pick-6 in the first half and fell behind 21-3. But the Lions did what they do best, blew a big lead and wrapped up the narrow victory with a bow on top for San Diego.
East Bay Convicts - The Raiders are the Raiders, aren't they? They were mauled at home by the Bengals, and likely lost their only good player, Derek Carr with a hand injury.
NEXT UP: Donkeys come to The Head for Thursday Night Football, baby!
Kelce POW!
A preview of Thursday's game between The Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos.
Posted by Arrowhead Pride: For Kansas City Chiefs Fans on Tuesday, September 15, 2015
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