Week 2 - Donkeys 31 at Griefs 24

WEEK TWO: I worked the night of this game. Slinging BBQ at Knucklehead's for the Keb' Mo' concert. I'm frankly glad I was there. After a decent showing in week one by KC, and a narrow escape by Denver, this looked like it was setting up to finally be the day KC punched old "fivehead" in the mouth, and took his lunch money. Beautiful night, wild crowd at The Head, national TV audience, a stumbling Manning. What more could you ask? OK, you could ask for the Chiefs to not throw the game away. You could ask - but good luck with that.

OFFENSE: This O-line continues to struggle, and if they don't find a solution soon, this could be a very long year, with Chase Daniel under center. Smith is running for his life, and the problem is, unlike Manning or Brady or Rodgers, he doesn't have good pocket presence and he holds the ball too long. This is a deadly combination. A combination that resulting in Smith posting a QBR of 7.4. You didn't misread that. His rating was a well-beyond dismal 7.4. Couldn't break 200 yards, zero scores and two picks, including a pick-6, which proved to be the difference in the game. There were three receivers over 50 yards, so they are sharing the rock. But another game goes by without a TD by a WR. Jamaal Charles ran wild over the vaunted Donkey D - when he could find the handle on the ball. He also coughed up two turnovers, including the fumble that ended the game. As reliable as Charles has been, it's hard to pin this loss solely on him, but that sure didn't help. DAT also puked the pig once to give KC five gifts for the day. You can't wrap up footballs and put bows on them for even a depleted Peyton Manning. He will make you pay - and he did.

DEFENSE: Sean Smith's DUI looms large. The front seven harassed Manning, and for a while, made him look very average. They forced a pick, and they stuffed the run. C. J. Anderson, who hung 168 on them last year, barely got out of the blocks with a paltry 27 yards on 12 carries. But when they needed a stop the most - inside 2:00 in the 4th, they couldn't get it done. Manning, who looked hamstrung all day, pulled a classic Manning drive out of his nether region to tie the game.

SPECIALS: We still have the best punter in the NFL.

THROW HIM A BONE: Jamaal Charles - 21 for 125 and a TD.

DOGGITY DOG: Jamaal Charles - 2 fumbles, one recovered for a score to end the game.

The AFC WEST:
Doper Donkeys - See above.

Beach Bum Bolts - The Been Gals hung an L on them.

East Bay Convicts - Shanked the Ravens.

NEXT UP: Monday Night Football at the Frozen Tundra of Lambeau for a reenactment of Super Bowl I.