Chiefs vs Cowboys: Grading Kansas City’s Win Over Dallas

Sep 15, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) hands off to running back Jamaal Charles (25) in the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City won the game 17-16. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Haven’t seen that in a while, have we?

A close, meaningful, nail-biting game was played today at Arrowhead Stadium, as the Chiefs pulled out the victory over the Cowboys 17-16. The Chiefs matched their win total from 2012 with the win, and have their first 2-0 start since 2010.

Kansas City got off to an early lead, scoring a touchdown on the game-opening drive. The Cowboys answered with 10 straight points, and the game went to half with Dallas leading 10-7.

A third-quarter field goal from Dallas’ Dan Bailey put the ‘Boys ahead 13-7. This was the point in the game where the 2012 Chiefs team would have imploded. But that’s not what happened. Later that quarter, Dwayne Bowe took a pass from Alex Smith in for 6, putting Kansas City on top 14-13. The Chiefs never relinquished the lead, and won the game 17-16.

Now, the report card:

Offense

The first drive was impressive. Alex Smith made things happen with his legs, and the Chiefs were able to grab a ton of momentum to start the game. Aside from that though, the offense was just…well…average. There weren’t any explosive plays, but they were smart, and took care of the football. Smith’s completion percentage wasn’t sky-high, but he threw two more touchdown passes, and didn’t turn the ball over.

The final drive was a bit sloppy, but was also pretty clutch. You’ve got to give it to Jamaal Charles, he stepped it up there in the final few minutes.

Grade: C+

Defense

When you play the style of defense that the Chiefs want to play, you have to have strong man-to-man coverage on the outside. That didn’t happen. Brandon Flowers was isolated against Dez Bryant seemingly all game, and Romo made the Chiefs pay. If it weren’t for Bryant’s performance, I’d give this unit an A. Holding the Cowboy’s offense to 1 TD is a victory.

Grade: B-

Special Teams

Dustin Colquitt was the man. Plain and simple. That last punt iced the game, and there was a long stretch in first half where the Chiefs were dominating the battle for field position. That was great.

What wasn’t great was the blocked field goal, the kick coverage, and the idiocy. Yes, idiocy. When your punter drops a 62 yard punt on the 1 yard line, if you’re the gunner, you have to know if you’re in or out of bounds, and you also have to know that if you did go out of bounds, you can’t touch the ball. Yes, I’m talking to you, Marcus Cooper.

Oh, and you also saw today why Knile Davis doesn’t return kicks.

Grade: C-

Coaching

How about a screen pass to counter the Cowboy aggression? Or double-covering Dez Bryant? We finally threw the screen late in the game, and decided to double Bryant with about 4 minutes left. While adjustments from the coaching staff were good moves, they seemed to have come very late in the game. Add to that some terrible clock management at the end of the game, and you earn yourself a below average grade.

Grade: C-

BONUS GRADE

The Uniforms

While I wouldn’t want to see it every week, the red on red was awesome.

Grade: A+

Okay, what do you think, Addicts? Am I on? Way off? Sound off below.