Chiefs finally run the ball and coincidentally, win
By Tom Childs
There is nothing better to watch than the Kansas City Chiefs run the ball down the opposing team’s throat.
Even more so when the opposing team is the Oakland Raiders. On Sunday the Chiefs executed a simple game plan perfectly. A game plan that would suck the life out of most teams in the NFL.
Sunday’s performance was a masterclass from Andy Reid on how to control the ball, the tempo and the clock. In Spencer Ware and Jamaal Charles, Reid has the perfect weapons to execute the perfect ground game.
Since being signed last season all Spencer Ware has done is impress. His willingness to run between the tackles for the tough yards has been a joy to watch over the last 12 months. But to say that is all his game is about would be wrong. In fact, two of his longest runs on Sunday were outside runs. On both occasions showing terrific poise to wait for his blocks to set up and then accelerate around the edge.
With Ware’s emergence as a genuine every down back the Chiefs coaching staff have been very fortunate in the fact they do not need to rush Jamaal Charles back. But when he does take snaps, as ever he is a very easy on the eye.
We waited a year for Jamaal’s real return (I’m not counting Pittsburgh) and as expected, he was worth the wait. The play before the Spencer Ware touchdown run Jamaal showcased all of his skills with a 6-yard run down to the 2. 6 yards doesn’t sound like a lot but when you saw the run you understood why Jamaal has the all-time average yards per carry. He weaved in and out of the Raiders defenders before powering himself for an extra three yards. It was vintage Jamaal Charles and it was delightful.
It would be unfair for me to talk running backs and not to mention Dontari Poe. The Nose Tackle come Power Back now has more rushing touchdowns in the last 12 months than C.J. Spiller, Justin Forsett and Gio Bernard. I’m all for Reid getting the big man involved at the goal line. Seriously who is going to stop a 340lb man from gaining a yard or two?
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It felt like the game where the Chiefs finally found their identity on offense. Run the ball, control the clock and don’t turn the ball over. Whilst I am on the subject of ball security it only seems fair to sing Alex Smith’s praises. After a nightmare performance in Pittsburgh Alex put together a very nice game completing 87 percent of his passes for 224 yards. Add the 183 yards on the ground from the backs and all of a sudden you’re looking at 400 yards of offense. A very respectable number indeed.
Now the Chiefs have found their offensive identity they need to stick to it. Continue controlling the ball and the clock like they did on Sunday, then the Chiefs should continue to frustrate teams. When a team is frustrated mistakes start to creep in. Mistake free football wins games. Mistake free football and a powerful run game is the Chiefs offensive identity.