Chiefs vs Chargers: Grading KC’s performance
By Andrew Jones
Defense: C-
During the entire first half, the defense looked lost when in pass coverage. Marcus Peters could not handle Keenan Allen and could not make a good tackle on anyone. It is safe to assume that had Allen remained in the game the Chiefs would have lost. This is a game for the secondary to learn from as Philip Rivers picked them apart. Eric Berry also looked a little rusty at times and Ron Parker was non existent until knocking away a pass in the third quarter.
Allen may have been in the secondary’s heads with all of his talk. After he left with a torn ACL the team seemed to gel and they finally stopped the Chargers on third down. Phillip Gaines turned in the only positive performance in the first half with sure tackling and tight coverage. The broadcasters didn’t call his name much which was probably a good thing.
The front seven was very disappointing. Heading into the season many believed that the front seven of Kansas City would be dominant. Even without Justin Houston the Chiefs still had a lot to work with to get to the quarterback. It wasn’t until the fourth quarter that the team even registered a sack. Which, believe it or not, came from the much maligned Dee Ford.
Each of Kansas City’s front guys missed at least one tackle on a running back which allowed a 5’8″ 200lb Danny Woodhead to gain 89 yards. Even Melvin Gordon looked more like the prospect the Chargers were hoping for with two touchdowns and 57 yards.
The chemistry between Derrick Johnson and Justin March-Lillard should grow as the games go on. It appeared that Johnson was trying to do too much to make up for March’s inexperience. Look for a heavier emphasis on stopping the run this next Sunday as the Chiefs already know what Osweiler brings to the table.
That being said, they shouldn’t sleep on him either.
Next: And special teams...