Dwayne Bowe might be a Pro Bowl wide receiver now, but around this time last year every Chiefs fan in the nation was calling for his head. The reason they were doing that was because against the very Colts we are facing tomorrow, Bowe dropped a go-ahead touchdown pass, and then followed it up by dropping a first down pass on the following play. The Chiefs went on to lose their first game of the season, and everyone had began to doubt the legitimacy of the 2010 Chiefs.
How Bowe responded is what made him so good last season. After the debacle in Indianapolis, Bowe's stats read like this for the first four games: 9 catches, 152 yards, 1 touchdown. Through the next 12 games, Bowe had 63 receptions for 1,010 and 14 touchdowns. His 15 total touchdowns would lead the NFL in 2010 for wide receivers.
In other words, a lot of things can change in a year.
Dwayne Bowe is now our go-to receiver and we complain when he doesn't get targets. He proved the majority of his doubters wrong, and he was rewarded with a trip to Honolulu last season. But Bowe still has some things to prove. He's facing the Colts this season on the last year of his contract. Many suspect that Bowe will be offered an extension during the course of the season, but others think that the Chiefs might take a wait-and-see approach with Bowe, who has had troubles with drops throughout his career. If Bowe wants that extension, then there is no better time than against the Colts to really have his 2011 coming-out party.
Almost exactly a year ago, Bowe was hated by everyone because of his performance in Indy. A year later, he could be loved by everyone if he makes some of the plays we've become accustomed to, like he showed last week against the Vikings. After all, he's been "carrying the team" right?
I'm rooting for you D-Bowe.
Now For the Game Notes:
The Colts GM Bill Polian has already announced that Curtis Painter, the inexperienced and very lucky quarterback you might have had the opportunity to watch last week on Monday Night Football (RIP Hank Williams Jr.) against the Tampa Bay Bucs. Peyton Manning is of course out for the season with a neck injury and Kerry Collins is out with
Speaking of Peyton Manning (and I'm glad I don't have to very often this season), the Colts have suffered their fair share of injuries, much like the Chiefs have. In addition to having 13 players listed on the injury report this week (including first round pick Anthony Castonzo, a tackle I thought the Chiefs might draft), they have lost DT Eric Foster, OT Ben Ijalana, SS Melvin Bullitt, LB Gary Brackett, and WR Austin Collie for the season. Many other players remain out indefinitely. It's strange seeing the Colts at 0-4, but I guess it was time for a change.
Matchups:
Matt Cassel: 72/111 (64.9%), 688 yards, 4 TDs, 5 INTs
Curtis Painter: 18/41 (43.9%), 341 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs
Dexter McCluster: 28 carries, 164 yards, 5.9 yards per carry
Joseph Addai: 50 carries, 230 yards, 4.6 yards per carry, 1 TD
Dwayne Bowe: 16 receptions, 292 yards, 2 TDs
Pierre Garcon: 14 receptions, 295 yards, 2 TDs
Chiefs Defense:
Pass - 17th (242.8 ypg)
Run - 26th (130.0 ypg)
Total - 21st (372.8 ypg)
Colts Defense:
Pass - 20th (257.2 ypg)
Run - 28th (133.0 ypg)
Total - 25th (390.2 ypg)
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