The Chiefs Had a Great Game, if You Hadn’t Heard

Sep 29, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (82) catches a pass during the first half against the New England Patriots at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs won big on Monday Night Football this week, and they played well in the game. You might not know that if you have been getting updates from coverage on the major news outlets. In fact, if you missed the first five seconds of most of the reports, you may not have known the Chiefs were involved in the game. Somehow, the only story that most NFL analyst seemed to see on Monday was about the Patriots. And how they messed it up. And how the blame could rest on anyone except a certain QB who sells furry boots and got credit for winning Super Bowls that were decided by his kicker.

I think that is a crying shame.

Sometimes a win comes more because of what the other team did than what you did. It happens to everybody.  Based on most of the news coverage of the game, you would think that is what happened – but it wasn’t. The Chiefs didn’t sneak in a win they didn’t deserve. They plastered the favored team, and won almost every category in the box score. Here are a few standouts:

Turnovers:

Turnovers are an all-important stat in the NFL. There is no surer way to lose momentum than committing a turnover, and no surer way gaining momentum than by forcing a turnover. This never favored Kansas City though the first three games. But on Monday night the Chiefs forced three turnovers without committing any.  Missing superstars Derrick Johnson and Eric Berry, they had two interceptions (one a pick six) on a guy that some people think is the best QB in the game.

Possession:

Each team had 11 drives, but the Chiefs managed to hold onto the ball for 36:27 worth of game clock. They also managed to run 17 extra plays, and gain twice as many first downs as their opponent. The result was that the Chiefs outgained the Patriots 442 yards to 290 yards.

Rushing:

Two words: JAMAAL CHARLES! It was so good to see him back in the lineup. It was also spectacular to see that he didn’t need much time to get back to form. Charles had 92 rushing yards, and a touchdown (plus two more receiving) in his first game back from injury.

Two more words: KNILE DAVIS! When your backup RB breaks a 48 yard run, picks up multiple first downs, and ends the game with 107 yards on the ground, you know it has been a good night.  Davis didn’t find the end zone this week, but put in an outstanding performance nonetheless.

Combined, the Chiefs RBs had 199 rushing yards. New England? They managed to gain a grand total of 75 yards on the ground.

Passing:

Ask about anybody, and they would take Tom Brady over Alex Smith. Also ask about anybody, and they will tell you that the Chiefs’ receiving corp is not exactly the subject of envy around the league. Given the preceding two sentences, you’d expect the advantage in the passing game to go to the Patriots. On Monday night, you’d have been wrong.

Alex Smith eviscerated the New England defense throughout the game. He threw for 248 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions on his way to a 144.4 passer rating.  That is not too far shy of perfect.

Smith’s opposite number, Tom “Terrific,” threw more interceptions (two) than touchdowns (one). Considering one of those interceptions was a pick six, he actually managed to throw the same number of touchdowns to both teams. As you might expect, his passer rating was not even close to perfect at 59.9.

The Chiefs even looked good beyond the box score: Smith had more time in the pocket, and protected the ball well; Travis Kelce was an absolute beast (he had the most receptions of any Chief); they balanced run and pass well throughout the game;  and they stayed away from stupid penalties for the most part.

I could go on, but I think you get the gist. The Chiefs were utterly dominant across the board, and for the entire game. I am not saying that it will be a red and gold Super Bowl, or that you would get the same result if you played the game over, but I don’t think that such a dominant performance comes about solely by accident.

Kansas City wasn’t flawless. The Patriots’ first touchdown appeared to be the result of a collision of two Chief defenders more than anything else. Then there was the clock mismanagement at the end of the first half. I know it comes with the territory for Andy Reid, but running the clock down to 8 seconds unnecessarily was just nuts. The Chiefs walked away with a field goal, but only because of a defensive penalty. But even that had a silver lining for the Chiefs, in the way of giving more kicking experience to Cairo Santos when the game doesn’t depend on him. He delivered on every kick he was asked to make.

So don’t be deceived by all the coverage – this game wasn’t all about the Patriots. No, New England didn’t play its best by far, but these guys aren’t the Raiders. The kind of beating administered on Monday requires a good team that is hungry, well prepared, and executing the right game plan. Anybody who watched the game saw a Chiefs team that did all of that.

HAIL TO THE CHIEFS!