I WAS WRONG & NOBODY'S HAPPIER ABOUT IT THAN ME
Wednesday & Thursday, I was pretty certain Matt Cassel was going to start for the Chiefs on Sunday, but by Friday afternoon, I had my doubts & this morning, I didn't see him playing. I'm so glad I was wrong. The Chiefs' playoff chances improved significantly with their 27-13 win at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis. Kansas City looked like the team that overwhelmed the other three teams in the NFC West, now you can add the Rams to that group.
Cassel brought a renewed confidence to the Chiefs, his presence allowed a much more aggressive game plan to be executed by Charlie Weis. Cassel played very well considering what he's been thru in the past 11 days. He did throw an interception after going 162-attempts without one. Chris Chambers made two terrific catches, but there were too many dropped passes. Dwayne Bowe, Dexter McCluster & Jackie Battle all dropped very catchable balls. Kansas City looked nothing like the team that was skunked 31-0 in San Diego last week. But let's not get carried away, despite just a 2-game difference in the standings, the Rams are nowhere near the Chargers. I said yesterday the Chiefs had demolished every NFC West & after today, Kansas City beat the 4 teams by a 134-60 margin.
The defense played with passion & they consistently pressured & confused rookie QB Sam Bradford. After the Rams kicked their 2nd field goal of the game, they only managed 2 first downs on their next nine possessions. Their offense didn't awaken until late in the 4th quarter. Wallace Gilberry had 3 sacks, Kendrick Lewis celebrated his return from the injury list with 2 interceptions. Lewis now shares the team lead with fellow rookie safety, Eric Berry, with three. The secondary played much more aggressively knowing the Rams really didn't have a home run hitter on the flanks. Steven Jackson was held to 67-yards on the ground while the Chiefs pounded out 210.
Jamaal Charles continued his ridiculous season with 126-yards on just 11 carries. He should become only the 4th running back to average over 6-yards per carry in NFL history. As of tonight, his average is a gaudy 6.4. Once again Thomas Jones chipped in with 62-yards rushing & another 16 on 1 reception. Charles suffered cramps to his left calf twice in the 4th quarter, the 2nd time about halfway thru an 81-yard run where he was caught & knocked out of bounds at the Rams' 2-yard line. It's the only way he's going to be caught from behind.
As good as Kansas City played today, they'll have to play even better next week if they are to beat the Titans at Arrowhead. Tennessee is a much better team than St. Louis, they've scored 64 more points & given up fewer against a much tougher schedule. Tennessee held the NFL's leading rusher, Arian Foster, to just 15-yards on 11 carries today. They have Chris Johnson & a much better receiving corps. Kerry Collins is not a QB who is easily confused by a defensive scheme or gameplan. This will be a tougher matchup than one with a run of the mill NFC West opponent.
Matt Cassel's return bolstered a Chiefs' team that really needed it. Can they carry this over to next Sunday, in the next "Mother of all Must-Win" games? Kansas City's season has come down to a 2-game schedule, Tennessee & Oakland. What the Chargers do means nothing, what happens in the Indy-Oakland game is equally meaningless. The two games played at Arrowhead in the next two weeks are the only games that mean anything. Let's hope they are memorable in the resurgence of the Chiefs.
Cassel brought a renewed confidence to the Chiefs, his presence allowed a much more aggressive game plan to be executed by Charlie Weis. Cassel played very well considering what he's been thru in the past 11 days. He did throw an interception after going 162-attempts without one. Chris Chambers made two terrific catches, but there were too many dropped passes. Dwayne Bowe, Dexter McCluster & Jackie Battle all dropped very catchable balls. Kansas City looked nothing like the team that was skunked 31-0 in San Diego last week. But let's not get carried away, despite just a 2-game difference in the standings, the Rams are nowhere near the Chargers. I said yesterday the Chiefs had demolished every NFC West & after today, Kansas City beat the 4 teams by a 134-60 margin.
The defense played with passion & they consistently pressured & confused rookie QB Sam Bradford. After the Rams kicked their 2nd field goal of the game, they only managed 2 first downs on their next nine possessions. Their offense didn't awaken until late in the 4th quarter. Wallace Gilberry had 3 sacks, Kendrick Lewis celebrated his return from the injury list with 2 interceptions. Lewis now shares the team lead with fellow rookie safety, Eric Berry, with three. The secondary played much more aggressively knowing the Rams really didn't have a home run hitter on the flanks. Steven Jackson was held to 67-yards on the ground while the Chiefs pounded out 210.
Jamaal Charles continued his ridiculous season with 126-yards on just 11 carries. He should become only the 4th running back to average over 6-yards per carry in NFL history. As of tonight, his average is a gaudy 6.4. Once again Thomas Jones chipped in with 62-yards rushing & another 16 on 1 reception. Charles suffered cramps to his left calf twice in the 4th quarter, the 2nd time about halfway thru an 81-yard run where he was caught & knocked out of bounds at the Rams' 2-yard line. It's the only way he's going to be caught from behind.
As good as Kansas City played today, they'll have to play even better next week if they are to beat the Titans at Arrowhead. Tennessee is a much better team than St. Louis, they've scored 64 more points & given up fewer against a much tougher schedule. Tennessee held the NFL's leading rusher, Arian Foster, to just 15-yards on 11 carries today. They have Chris Johnson & a much better receiving corps. Kerry Collins is not a QB who is easily confused by a defensive scheme or gameplan. This will be a tougher matchup than one with a run of the mill NFC West opponent.
Matt Cassel's return bolstered a Chiefs' team that really needed it. Can they carry this over to next Sunday, in the next "Mother of all Must-Win" games? Kansas City's season has come down to a 2-game schedule, Tennessee & Oakland. What the Chargers do means nothing, what happens in the Indy-Oakland game is equally meaningless. The two games played at Arrowhead in the next two weeks are the only games that mean anything. Let's hope they are memorable in the resurgence of the Chiefs.
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