Five Keys to Victory: Chiefs vs. Eagles Follow Up

Sep 19, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid waves to fans as he leaves the field after defeating the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Chiefs defeated the Eagles 26-16. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Here we are once again, Addicts, doing the follow up to “Five Keys to Victory” after a Chiefs win. As always, my original post will be in normal type and my follow up comments will be in bold. Let’s see how we did this week.

Key #1: Let the Dogs Out Against Michael Vick

What? Too soon? I had to take that shot. Seriously though, I want Vick to watch the game from his back as much as from the sideline. I want Dontari Poe to double his sack count for the season on Vick. I want Justin Houston to set up a ten in the back field. I want Tamba Hali to get on the sack board and get his hands on Vick. When Vick is pressured, Vick runs. When Vick runs, Vick fumbles the ball and throws picks. The Chiefs have to blitz him until he’s crying for his mom to bring him some Campbell’s Chunky Soup. Oh wait…that was the other Eagles quarterback.

The Chiefs got after Vick early and often. Just as I asked for, Houston was in the back field a lot, racking up 3.5 sacks. Tamba Hali got on the sack board with one sack of his own. He could have had more if he was more concerned about sacking Vick than trying to force a fumble. The thing that didn’t happen was Poe getting a sack last night. However, he was being double teamed most of the game and still was able to collapse the pocket, making Vick uncomfortable.

Key #1: Achieved

Key #2: Grind the Ball

Coach Reid has been criticized most of his career for not slowing down the game, running the ball and controlling the clock when that was what needed to be done. The Eagles offense can’t be “offensive” if they’re watching the Chiefs offense from the sidelines. Jamaal Charles, Cyrus Gray and Knile Davis should all be prepared for a healthy dose of carries tonight, so the Chiefs can own the time of possession battle.

While the Chiefs still threw a lot more than this fan base is accustomed to, they ground it out when they needed to. This was no more evident than the drive in the fourth quarter that went 75 yards and took more than eight minutes off the clock. The Chiefs did, in fact, own the TOP battle, as I said, controlling two thirds of the game, only allowing the Eagles to have the ball for 20 minutes.

Key #2: Achieved

Key #3: Expose the Eagles D for What they Are

After two weeks, the Eagles defense is sitting around the bottom of the league in all major categories. Some say it’s because there are only two weeks’ worth of stats to pull from, but I say it’s because they’re not that good. We were told there would be “Bombs over Baghdad.” I’m still waiting for them to start falling. The Eagles offense will score points, and the Chiefs “O” is going to have to keep pace with them. Facing a mediocre “D” will help them do this.

Yeah, about this one. I may have slightly underestimated the Eagles defense. The Chiefs offense definitely has some work to do, but I don’t think Philly’s defense is as horrible as they were originally made out to be. They played tough when then they had to and the only “Bomb over Baghdad” was a failed Hail Mary pass at the end of the first half. At least we know that Smith can launch the ball for 45 yards if he has to…only after he does three spin moves in the backfield, does the hokey pokey and proves once and for all that it truly is “what it’s all about.”

Key #3: Not Achieved

Key #4: Special Teams…special teams…echo…echo…

I’m going to keep beating this drum until it happens. We were promised special teams play that is “out of this world.” It flashed in the preseason before the roster tweaking that happened after the final preseason game. Since then, all the special teams have done is allow blocked kicks and fumbles. A punt and/or kick return for a touchdown can be a game changer with the swing of emotion and momentum that’s involved. If there was ever a game that the visiting team could use that, it’s this game.

Hey guys, glad you could finally join the party! Other than the Dexter McCluster fumble (which he quickly recovered, so we’ll overlook) the special teams started to regain some of their glimmer. Chiefs kick returner Quentin Demps looked really good on the couple of opportunities he had, and very nearly broke one to the house. I’m hoping with ten days of rest, perhaps we’ll see more of this improvement next time.

Key #4: Achieved

Key #5: Control the Turn Over Situation

Perhaps the biggest (unsung) improvement this team has had since last season is the dramatic swing in the turnover game. After two weeks, the Chiefs are +4 in the turnover column. That means they’ve forced four more turnovers than they’ve had. For those keeping score at home, the 2013 Chiefs haven’t turned the ball over a single time this season, and they’ve forced two fumbles and had two picks. That’s sure a damn sight better than last year. That needs to continue into tonight.

The Chiefs have continued to play mistake free football, going three full games without turning the ball over. The Eagles weren’t so lucky. On the night, the birds from Philly turned the rock over five times. Vick who, prior to the game, was alongside Alex Smith as one of four un-intercepted QBs in the league was picked off twice in the game. One of those was the fulfillment of a childhood dream of safety Eric Berry as he returned the ball for a touchdown giving the Chiefs an early 10 – 0 lead. Right now the Chief lead the league in turnover differential with a +9. That could be a huge reason they’re 3 – 0.

Key #5: Achieved

It’s fun to be a Chiefs fan again, Addicts! What do you think about the Chiefs? Did they meet your expectations last night? Sound off below!