The Chiefs overthrew the Patriots with disrespect
The Chiefs tore down the most impenetrable castle in the NFL on Thursday night, and they did it from every angle. But one thing surprised me as much as anything else: they did it with attitude.
Where to even begin with the Kansas City Chiefs win over the New England Patriots? The offense was dynamic, so let’s start there: Alex Smith was stupendous. Kareem Hunt was blindingly explosive. Tyreek Hill had a semi-“quiet” 133 yards and a touchdown. Travis Kelce demanded all of Bill Belichick’s attention, and the rest of the offense delivered the punishment. The offensive line showed me the best game of red-and-gold OL play that I’ve seen in years.
The defense was largely spectacular as well. The defensive line was ravaging the Patriots offensive line in the second half, after spending the first half usually rushing only three. The secondary held the best quarterback I’ve ever seen to 267 yards. A big play here or there, sure, but Marcus Peters was only targeted a single time, and Terrance Mitchell (who didn’t see the field in the preseason due to his hamstring injury) knocked off the rust very well and showed up in a huge way late in the game. Justin Houston looked like The Justin Houston.
The Chiefs lost Eric Berry for the season, after blanketing Rob Gronkowski in a dominant performance before going down with an injury. Now the Chiefs have to prove their depth at safety as they look to ease the loss of a leader. But I think they will.
But one other thing really surprised me on Thursday night. The Chiefs’ attitude.
I’m fully aware of how problematic Tyreek Hill is off the field. Fully, fully aware. But man, I love his on-field demeanor. You don’t throw up a peace sign on the way to the end zone against a team you’re afraid of. It’s disrespectful. It’s the bulletin-board material type of thing that we harp on all the time. And Tyreek Hill seems to genuinely not be afraid of disrespecting any opponent that shows up in front of him. And I think that’s great. It seemed contagious against New England. Alex Smith didn’t respect Bill Belichick’s defense; he beat it. Justin Houston didn’t respect Tom Brady’s greatness; he just knocked him around. Eric Berry didn’t respect Rob Gronkowski; he just covered him. The OL didn’t respect the Belichick front-seven; they just moved them.
The Chiefs didn’t respect the Patriots in their Super Bowl homecoming game. And I think that’s great. You’ve gotta be a little disrespectful to overthrow the kings.
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