AFTER WEEK FOUR, I BELIEVE THE CHIEFS CAN MAKE THE PLAYOFFS PLUS THE SUNDAY RECAP
I'll get to my assertion about the Chiefs at the end of this post, let's review Sunday's action.
Denver outlasted Tennessee 26-20 in a game where the Broncos, with their O-line intact for the 1st time this season, ran for 19-yards on 20 carries. Kyle Orton has stepped up his game considerably under Josh McDaniels, Sunday, he threw for 341-yards on a 35 of 50 passing performance. But the 6 sacks & 11 other hits he sustained will take it's toll very quickly. The Broncos, once the zone-blocking running game juggernaut, no longer can spring any old back for 100-yards on any given Sunday. They had better correct this soon or Orton won't be around long. The special teams, burned by a Titan kick return TD, made a brilliant pop-up kickoff in the 4th quarter by Matt Prater that resulted in a fumble leading to a field goal. Also just as suddenly, the Titans feared running game with Mr. 2,000 yards, Chris Johnson, is finding it hard to run the ball. The Titans' 111 penalty yards were also costly. Chiefs have two with Denver & a one with the Titans in Arrowhead.
Sam Bradford is easily the most impressive rookie quarterback probably since Ben Rothlesberger in 2004. He is just as advertised, cool, accurate & productive. The Rams defeated Seattle 20-3 with bradford throwing a pair of touchdown passes. It should be the Rams first priority after the season to procure two wide receivers & a tight end he can rely on, plus a running back who can spell Steven Jackson. Who are the real Seahawks, the team that dismantled the Niners & beat San Diego or the team the was thumped by Denver & St. Louis? Chiefs play both of these teams.
San Diego took out a lot of their frustrations on the Arizona Cardinals, bombing them 41-10. Phillip Rivers shredded the cards with 15 of 20 for 241 yards & 2 touchdowns. The Charger defense, without Shawne Merriman, recorded nine sacks. The Cardinals managed only 124 total yards & starting quarterback Derek Anderson was benched after throwing 2 picks in just 14 attempts. Kansas City has another game with San Diego out there & Arizona visits Arrowhead in November.
Jaguar placekicker Josh Scobee shocked the Colts with a game-winning 59-yard field goal with no time left. Jacksonville ran for 174 yards & their 2nd year tackles Eugene Monroe & Eben Britton stoned walled the Colts famed DE's Dwight Freeney & Robert Mathis, no sacks & only three tackles between them. Indy WR Reggie Wayne had a superior fantasy football day with 15 catches for 196 yards but a costly fumble contributed to a real life football loss. The Chiefs play in Indianapolis next Sunday & the Jags will be at Arrowhead on October 24th.
Houston roared out to a big lead in Oakland & then hung on in the 4th quarter to defeat the Raiders 31-24. Houston rushed for 249 yards & quarterback Matt Schaub wasn't touched by the Raider pass rush. Arian Foster, who had been benched for the first quarter by Texans' coach Gary Kubiak, still ran for 131 yards & a touchdown on just 19 carries plus he caught 56 yards worth of passes & scored another TD. Bernard Pollard recorded 11 tackles, leading his team. The Texans get defensive rookie of the year, Brian Cushing, back next week after serving a 4-game suspension for performance enhancing drugs. Kansas City plays Oakland twice & in Houston in two weeks.
Buffalo got just what they figured to get with the Jets pounding them 38-14 & the game wasn't that close. The Bills didn't record a sack, or quarterback hit. Buffalo surrendered three sacks, 7 QB hits & 273 yards rushing. The Chiefs get Buffalo Halloween Day in Arrowhead.
Green Bay had better get off this "we can switch it on when we need it" attitude. Cornerback Charles Woodsen scooped an interception & returned it 48-yards for a touchdown with just 30-seconds gone in the third quarter. They didn't score again & had to hang on as the Detroit Lions closed to within 28-26.Green Bay was lucky the Lions had 13 penalties for 102 yards. I love Aaron Rodgers & the Packers were my NFC Super Bowl pick, but they play some sloppy football & if they don't start closing teams out, they could be in trouble. Rodgers has thrown 5 picks in 4 games. last season he only had 7 all year.
The Saints are just getting by, barely. They avoided an embarrassing loss to the wounded Carolina Panthers, winning 16-14. The 13 1/2 point favorites were behind the entire 2nd half until 47-year old John Carney nailed his 3rd field goal of the game at the 3:55 mark of the 4th quarter. Drew Brees is hobbled somewhat by a knee strain & throwing 50 passes to beat the Panthers isn't good news.
Donovan McNabb had a mediocre day completing 8 of 19 passes but his Redskins beat Philly 17-12 after Michael Vick went down with an injury. He fell on the ball & it appeared he had a rib or sternum problem. This was the most hyped game of the week & it was a snooze-o-rama.
In what should have been the most hyped game of the week, Baltimore rallied to defeat Pittsburgh at Heinz Field, 17-14. Ravens' QB Joe Flacco three an 18-yard touchdown pass to T.J. Houshmanzadeh with just 32-seconds remaining in the game. Ray Lewis sealed the victory with a diving interception. This was a must-win for Baltimore. Falling 2 games behind Pittsburgh with Roethlisberger coming back tomorrow wasn't acceptable. This was one exciting game.
Cleveland was out gained but not out played in their 23-20 win over Cincinnati. Terrell Owens had a mega-day catching 10 passes for 222 yards & a score, but once again, fantasy football numbers often don't translate in the real world. Carson Palmer had a good day throwing the ball, his best of the season, but he had a problem holding onto the ball fumbling 3 times, losing two.
This evening, the New York Giants defense ran roughshod over the Chicago Bears. They sacked Jay Cutler 9 times in the first half & dished out a concussion as well. Todd Collins started the 2nd half & he had to be helped off the field with a neck stinger. He was replaced by Caleb Hanie. The Bears amassed 110 offensive yards, not in the 1st half, in the entire game. The Giants wound up with 10 sacks, 9 other quarterback hits & 10 tackles for loss against the run. This looked like the Giants defense of 3-years ago. Chicago's offensive line was so overwhelmed, Cutler, Collins & Hanie never had a chance. So much for being undefeated.
So the question is, can the Chiefs make the playoffs? I think there's a possibility they can. Remember, it's just a possibility. They have a fairly weak schedule, we knew that going in & often teams play better as the season goes along. In the season's last quarter, the Chiefs play at San Diego & St. Louis while finishing the season with Tennessee & Oakland in Arrowhead. They travel to Indy to face a 2-2 Colts team that ought to be very focused after losing today. Next stop is in Houston to play the Texans. If Kansas City can win either of these games, I'd say their chances of making the playoffs could be as high as 75%. But if they go into these two games & get shelled, the playoff dream might have to be put on the back burner until 2011, they have to be competitive in these games. Having watched all or part of every NFL game this season, it's obvious to me no one is going to run away from the pack. Playing the NFC & AFC West 10 games, is a recipe for success, these are easily the two worst divisions in the NFL.
If the Chiefs show steady improvement as the season moves forward & don't sustain any serious injuries, I think they can make the playoffs. Part of my optimism is based on the two new coordinators & the game-changing speed of Charles, McCluster & Arenas. Another part of my optimism is based on how badly some future opponents have played thru 4 games. Some of the inabilities they've shown play right into some of Kansas City's strengths. If you read the Sunday recap, you'll know exactly what I'm referring to. Before the season, I'll be honest, I didn't think this was possible, now I do.
Denver outlasted Tennessee 26-20 in a game where the Broncos, with their O-line intact for the 1st time this season, ran for 19-yards on 20 carries. Kyle Orton has stepped up his game considerably under Josh McDaniels, Sunday, he threw for 341-yards on a 35 of 50 passing performance. But the 6 sacks & 11 other hits he sustained will take it's toll very quickly. The Broncos, once the zone-blocking running game juggernaut, no longer can spring any old back for 100-yards on any given Sunday. They had better correct this soon or Orton won't be around long. The special teams, burned by a Titan kick return TD, made a brilliant pop-up kickoff in the 4th quarter by Matt Prater that resulted in a fumble leading to a field goal. Also just as suddenly, the Titans feared running game with Mr. 2,000 yards, Chris Johnson, is finding it hard to run the ball. The Titans' 111 penalty yards were also costly. Chiefs have two with Denver & a one with the Titans in Arrowhead.
Sam Bradford is easily the most impressive rookie quarterback probably since Ben Rothlesberger in 2004. He is just as advertised, cool, accurate & productive. The Rams defeated Seattle 20-3 with bradford throwing a pair of touchdown passes. It should be the Rams first priority after the season to procure two wide receivers & a tight end he can rely on, plus a running back who can spell Steven Jackson. Who are the real Seahawks, the team that dismantled the Niners & beat San Diego or the team the was thumped by Denver & St. Louis? Chiefs play both of these teams.
San Diego took out a lot of their frustrations on the Arizona Cardinals, bombing them 41-10. Phillip Rivers shredded the cards with 15 of 20 for 241 yards & 2 touchdowns. The Charger defense, without Shawne Merriman, recorded nine sacks. The Cardinals managed only 124 total yards & starting quarterback Derek Anderson was benched after throwing 2 picks in just 14 attempts. Kansas City has another game with San Diego out there & Arizona visits Arrowhead in November.
Jaguar placekicker Josh Scobee shocked the Colts with a game-winning 59-yard field goal with no time left. Jacksonville ran for 174 yards & their 2nd year tackles Eugene Monroe & Eben Britton stoned walled the Colts famed DE's Dwight Freeney & Robert Mathis, no sacks & only three tackles between them. Indy WR Reggie Wayne had a superior fantasy football day with 15 catches for 196 yards but a costly fumble contributed to a real life football loss. The Chiefs play in Indianapolis next Sunday & the Jags will be at Arrowhead on October 24th.
Houston roared out to a big lead in Oakland & then hung on in the 4th quarter to defeat the Raiders 31-24. Houston rushed for 249 yards & quarterback Matt Schaub wasn't touched by the Raider pass rush. Arian Foster, who had been benched for the first quarter by Texans' coach Gary Kubiak, still ran for 131 yards & a touchdown on just 19 carries plus he caught 56 yards worth of passes & scored another TD. Bernard Pollard recorded 11 tackles, leading his team. The Texans get defensive rookie of the year, Brian Cushing, back next week after serving a 4-game suspension for performance enhancing drugs. Kansas City plays Oakland twice & in Houston in two weeks.
Buffalo got just what they figured to get with the Jets pounding them 38-14 & the game wasn't that close. The Bills didn't record a sack, or quarterback hit. Buffalo surrendered three sacks, 7 QB hits & 273 yards rushing. The Chiefs get Buffalo Halloween Day in Arrowhead.
Green Bay had better get off this "we can switch it on when we need it" attitude. Cornerback Charles Woodsen scooped an interception & returned it 48-yards for a touchdown with just 30-seconds gone in the third quarter. They didn't score again & had to hang on as the Detroit Lions closed to within 28-26.Green Bay was lucky the Lions had 13 penalties for 102 yards. I love Aaron Rodgers & the Packers were my NFC Super Bowl pick, but they play some sloppy football & if they don't start closing teams out, they could be in trouble. Rodgers has thrown 5 picks in 4 games. last season he only had 7 all year.
The Saints are just getting by, barely. They avoided an embarrassing loss to the wounded Carolina Panthers, winning 16-14. The 13 1/2 point favorites were behind the entire 2nd half until 47-year old John Carney nailed his 3rd field goal of the game at the 3:55 mark of the 4th quarter. Drew Brees is hobbled somewhat by a knee strain & throwing 50 passes to beat the Panthers isn't good news.
Donovan McNabb had a mediocre day completing 8 of 19 passes but his Redskins beat Philly 17-12 after Michael Vick went down with an injury. He fell on the ball & it appeared he had a rib or sternum problem. This was the most hyped game of the week & it was a snooze-o-rama.
In what should have been the most hyped game of the week, Baltimore rallied to defeat Pittsburgh at Heinz Field, 17-14. Ravens' QB Joe Flacco three an 18-yard touchdown pass to T.J. Houshmanzadeh with just 32-seconds remaining in the game. Ray Lewis sealed the victory with a diving interception. This was a must-win for Baltimore. Falling 2 games behind Pittsburgh with Roethlisberger coming back tomorrow wasn't acceptable. This was one exciting game.
Cleveland was out gained but not out played in their 23-20 win over Cincinnati. Terrell Owens had a mega-day catching 10 passes for 222 yards & a score, but once again, fantasy football numbers often don't translate in the real world. Carson Palmer had a good day throwing the ball, his best of the season, but he had a problem holding onto the ball fumbling 3 times, losing two.
This evening, the New York Giants defense ran roughshod over the Chicago Bears. They sacked Jay Cutler 9 times in the first half & dished out a concussion as well. Todd Collins started the 2nd half & he had to be helped off the field with a neck stinger. He was replaced by Caleb Hanie. The Bears amassed 110 offensive yards, not in the 1st half, in the entire game. The Giants wound up with 10 sacks, 9 other quarterback hits & 10 tackles for loss against the run. This looked like the Giants defense of 3-years ago. Chicago's offensive line was so overwhelmed, Cutler, Collins & Hanie never had a chance. So much for being undefeated.
So the question is, can the Chiefs make the playoffs? I think there's a possibility they can. Remember, it's just a possibility. They have a fairly weak schedule, we knew that going in & often teams play better as the season goes along. In the season's last quarter, the Chiefs play at San Diego & St. Louis while finishing the season with Tennessee & Oakland in Arrowhead. They travel to Indy to face a 2-2 Colts team that ought to be very focused after losing today. Next stop is in Houston to play the Texans. If Kansas City can win either of these games, I'd say their chances of making the playoffs could be as high as 75%. But if they go into these two games & get shelled, the playoff dream might have to be put on the back burner until 2011, they have to be competitive in these games. Having watched all or part of every NFL game this season, it's obvious to me no one is going to run away from the pack. Playing the NFC & AFC West 10 games, is a recipe for success, these are easily the two worst divisions in the NFL.
If the Chiefs show steady improvement as the season moves forward & don't sustain any serious injuries, I think they can make the playoffs. Part of my optimism is based on the two new coordinators & the game-changing speed of Charles, McCluster & Arenas. Another part of my optimism is based on how badly some future opponents have played thru 4 games. Some of the inabilities they've shown play right into some of Kansas City's strengths. If you read the Sunday recap, you'll know exactly what I'm referring to. Before the season, I'll be honest, I didn't think this was possible, now I do.
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