KC - 22 MINN - 17
For the first time since last season, the Chiefs looked like a team that had the will and ability to win a football game.
The loss of Moeaki, Berry and Charles has really hurt the Chiefs, but there was still enough young talent on the team to make an 0-3 start not just painful, but surprising. But today, that young talent collectively rose to make a statement: that the turnaround starts today (it almost started last week). That they are better than their record (and score differential) indicates. That there is a reason why they won the AFC West last year.
Am I overreacting to a close win over a winnless opponent at home? Maybe. Perhaps. Most likely. But there's still also the possibility that this could create a little bit of momentum, and that momentum could turn into something that we couldn't imagine over the first three weeks.
Things the Chiefs did right
- The thing I noticed last week and this week is how well the Chiefs defense has been played. It looks like last year's defense. They might have given up 17 points this week, but they held Adrian Peterson to 80 yards rushing, intercepted Donovan McNabb in the red zone, and forced the Vikings to several three and outs.
- And for an individual effort, Tamba Hali has looked worth every penny spent on him this offseason. He had two sacks and five QB hits in the game, and was constantly in the backfield. He now has four sacks on the season. The pass rush as a whole also seems better; with Tyson Jackson and the front three creating pressure, it makes Hali's job that much easier.
- Ryan Succop was 5 for 5 on field goals this afternoon, including a 51 and a 54 yarder. He was pretty much kicking for his job today, and it was good to see him respond in such a manner.
- Now we get to the offense. This is where I saw the most improvement today. We had six scoring drives, and the score differential should have been greater. But it looks like the Chiefs have figured out how to function without Moeaki and Charles in the lineup. And although the Chiefs barely eclipsed the century mark rushing, they did enough to open up the passing game.
- Speaking of the passing game, it's pretty clear that one moment in this game turned everything around. When Haley an Cassel were yelling at each other on the sideline. Some people would see them fighting as a sign of a dysfunctional system, but fans who know anything about Haley knows this is how he motivates. This isn't something he does because they're 0-3, this is something he did when he was in the Super Bowl with the Cardinals. And guess what? It worked. Cassel got pissed, stepped up his game, and finished with his best performance since facing Tennessee last season on Christmas Day. He finished 18/29 for 260 yards and a touchdown.
- The wide receivers were part of Cassel's success. Breaston continued to get receptions and finished with 91 yards. Bowe had 107 with a TD (with several broken tackles which resembled his game last year against Seattle). Even Colbert came up big in situations.
What the Chiefs could have done better
- The red zone offense was wretched today. We relied on field goals when we should have had touchdowns. We need to figure this out if we hope to win more than one game.
- Brandon Carr didn't look very good today. Although he had the interception in the red zone, he also gave up both the touchdowns that McNabb threw today.
- The Chiefs still can't cover tight ends. Over 100 passing yards the Vikings had today came from tight ends. It doesn't help that we had a third string safety in to replace the guy that was a replacement for Eric Berry. In fact, the biggest play of the game from a safety came from Sabby Piscitelli on fourth down to essentially end the game. Go figure.
- I'll leave it at that since the Chiefs won. Can't be too hard on them this week.
No comments:
Post a Comment