Dec 15, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) is congratulated by quarterback Alex Smith (11) after catching a touchdown pass against the Oakland Raiders in the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
On a day that was capped with a record breaking performance by an NFL running back, a perfect passer rating by an NFL quarterback and the Kansas City Chiefs clinching their first playoff spot in three seasons after owning the worst record in the league last year, it’s going to be awfully hard to pick just three people to give Arrowheads to. But I’m going to give it a shot.
Arrowhead #3: Alex Smith, Quarterback
Dec 15, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) throws the ball against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. The Chiefs won 56-31. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
To ignore the game that Alex Smith put together yesterday would be criminal. Yes, I realize that he wouldn’t have had nearly the game he did had it not been for the yards after catch that Jamaal Charles provided. I don’t care. In the NFL YAC yards go to the quarterback as passing yards. To take them away from Smith you’d have to take them away from all quarterbacks and that would drastically change passing yardage across the league. Smith was perfect yesterday. His throws were on the money and he had only had three incompletions on the whole day; one of those was a holding penalty on the defense that would have hit wide receiver Dwayne Bowe in the numbers. For an NFL quarterback to get a perfect passer rating of 158.3 is something that doesn’t happen all that often. When you combine Smith’s continual improvement with the leadership he provides this team, it’s really no wonder they’re 11-3 and in the playoffs.
Arrowhead #2: Eric Berry, Safety
Dec 15, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry (29) scores on a 47-yard interception return in the first quarter against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Eric Berry is a superstar. For a young player who missed a whole year due to injury, Berry is having a career year during this season. Yesterday was no exception. Berry was excellent in coverage, so good, in fact, that he picked off the Oakland Raiders hapless quarterback not once, but twice. One of those INT’s went all the way to the house, scoring the one of the eight touchdowns the Chiefs scored yesterday. Berry can make plays all over the field and the Chiefs are truly lucky to have them on their side.
Arrowhead #1: Jamaal Charles, Running Back
Really? Was there ever a doubt in your mind? Jamaal Charles didn’t just have a decent game. Jamaal Charles didn’t just score a couple of touchdowns. Jamaal Charles broke records yesterday. Jamaal Charles was responsible for 215 yards of total offense yesterday; 195 of it coming in the passing game. Jamaal Charles visited the end zone on the first play of the game from scrimmage when he went 49 yards to the house. After he finished “wiping the haters off of his body” his touchdown tradition since last year — and one he’s repeated 18 times this year — he set up a tent, built a campfire and stayed there…the entire game. Jamaal Charles scored five of the eight total touchdowns scored by the Chiefs yesterday. No running back in NFL history has ever scored four receiving TD’s and a rushing TD in the same game. Jamaal Charles should be considered in the league MVP conversation. Jamaal Charles will soon be the #1 running back in Chiefs history, and rightfully so. For now though, he wins the #1 Arrowhead by a landslide. By the way, this kid’s name is Jamaal Charles. Don’t forget it.
There it is, Addicts. These are picks for the Arrowheads this week. Did I miss anybody? Did you have someone else in mind? Let us know by sounding off below.
As always, thanks for reading and GO CHIEFS!