13-1: Chiefs vs. Packers

AP Photo/Ed Zurga

KC - 19                          GB - 14

To say that the Chiefs win over the previously undefeated Packers was an upset is an understatement. The Packers were the highest scoring team in the NFL, lead by MVP-favorite Aaron Rodgers, and the rest of that Super Bowl defending roster. And yet, the Chiefs defense was able to limit this prolific offense to only two touchdowns, and the offense finally did enough to reward the team with a win.

Romeo Crennel was making his first appearance as the Chiefs head coach today, and at the helm of the offense was Kyle Orton, making his first start for the Chiefs at quarterback. While many people are saying that a victory would have been impossible with Todd Haley as HC, I think they might be giving Romeo Crennel too much credit. While teams tend to temporarily rally around a new head coach during the season, I think the most important aspect of the game was Tyler Palko not being behind center.

The Chiefs defense has kept the team in most of their games since Matt Cassel injured his throwing hand and was sent to IR, with a few exceptions (like last week). And during those games, the Chiefs offense has only been able to turn one of those games into a victory. Games against the Patriots and Steelers were close for most of the game, but valiant defensive efforts were wasted by turnovers on offense. Even the loss against the Jets might have been different if we had an offense that could move the football. Palko's turnovers were costing the team big, and then entered Kyle Orton.

Third down conversions were suddenly converted, drives were suddenly extended, the red zone suddenly entered, and the time of possession dominated. Orton was making passes Palko only wished he could make (and Cassel for that matter), and it was his steady performance and veteran leadership, accompanied by an outstanding defensive performance, that made the difference in this game. 

What the Chiefs Did Right

• Once again, I will have to mention the defense first in what the Chiefs did right. Not because of the lack of offense, but because of the opponent. The Packers were averaging 35.8 points per game before today. They seemed like an unstoppable force, but today, the Chiefs were an immovable object. 
• The Packers offense was limited to 6/14 on 3rd down, and 0-1 on 4th down.  
• Rodgers was held to 235 yards, 1 TD, and was sacked 4 times. 
• Of those 4 sacks, Tamba Hali had 3. The rookie, Allen Bailey, got his first career sack to account for the other one.
• Now for the offense. In comparison to the Palko-era, this offensive unit looked like the 2007 Patriots. Orton was effective and efficient moving the football, and took five trips into the redzone. 
• Kyle Orton was 23/31 (74.2%) for 299 yards.
• Ten different players caught a pass from Orton and eight receivers hauled in a reception of at least 10 yards.
• The Chiefs used a varied rushing attack to account for 139 yards and 5 rushing first downs. The biggest run of the game being Jackie Battle's touchdown run in the 4th quarter that all-but iced the game. Battle's second rushing TD of the season couldn't have come at a better time.
• The offense held the ball for 36 minutes and 11 seconds, shortening the game and keeping the ball out of Aaron Rodgers hand. 
• Ryan Succop made all four field goal attempts, and has now extended his consecutive FG streak to 21. This mark is one shy of the Chiefs record 22, set by Pete Stoyanovich. 

What the Chiefs Could Have Done Better

• Obviously the concern the Chiefs should have going forward is the one they've had throughout the course of the season: scoring touchdowns. The Chiefs are the second worst red zone team in terms of scoring TDs in the whole NFL this season, and today's 5 trip, 1 TD, one goal-line stand isn't going to improve those stats. Throughout the season, it just hasn't seemed like the Chiefs knew what to dial up, and some of it today probably had to do with the lack of familiarity Orton had with his receivers. Hopefully we can improve in the next two games, and score more than just once. 
• While Ryan Succop had a fantastic performance, the rest of the special teams struggled. Roughing the kicker, timeouts for 12 men on the field, penalties on kick returns, etc. They seem undisciplined, and have looked so throughout the season. 
• Other than that, I can't criticize the Chiefs too much. 

With the victory over the Packers, two things arise in the aftermath:

1. Is it really plausible for the Chiefs to make the playoffs this year?
2. Did Romeo Crennel earn the Head Coaching job for next season?

I will discuss both these topics later in the week.