Ten Things About Today's Game

[gblowfish]

Ten Things About Today's Game

10. What a difference a year makes! If you live outside KC, you didn't feel the buzz this week around town. But it was a definite buzz, and the buzz is definitely real. More people wearing red on Red Friday, seats were hard to come by for the game, and there was a generally positive, optimistic vibe; one of anticipation and not of dread- like we've had in the past couple of years. Most people thought going in this would be a close game, determined by turnovers. It was. And "Terrorhead" was just that again for the first time since the home opener after the stadium renovations vs. San Diego -you remember the night game in the rain?- it was a buzz like that night. My good pal Gary sat with Mrs. Blowfish and me. Gary is usually good luck, so I'm happy to take him for the big ones. As I've written before, I just live about ten minutes north of Arrowhead. Usually I can leave my house at 10:30am, and be in my red lot tailgating twenty minutes later. Not today. Nooooo.....not today. We sat in line moving at sloth-like speed for over an hour. I was about 300 yards from the parking turn in on Stadium Drive at 10:40am, and I finally parked my car at 11:50am. That's how slow the parking people were today. And I had to four-wheel it into a gold lot, where I was not supposed to be, because the red lots got screwed up and lots of cars that weren't supposed to park in red, well, they were parked in red. So it was an every man for himself free for all. I missed kickoff, and that's the first time that's happened to me ever. The security into the stadium was much faster. I think the clear bag thing has helped a lot with that. But parking was fubar today. That's one reason I'm so late in writing this up. We tailgated AFTER the game because we didn't have time before. The meal sure tasted awfully good after a win, I'll say that.

9. This was an even game of two well matched teams. Both have a good defensive front seven. Both have a good marquee receiver. Both have capable quarterbacks. Both have good special teams. And if you look at the final game stats, again they are very close. First downs Dallas had 20 to KC 19. Both teams were shit on third down -Dallas 3 for 11, KC 4 for 13. Dallas net yards 318, KC was 313. Time of possession: Dallas 31:47, KC 28:13. So it was all close except for one thing: the difference was turnovers. Dallas had two fumbles and lost them both. KC had no fumbles, no picks. That's what it came down to ultimately.

8. Alex Smith was the leading rusher, and did a nice job keeping the team focused and engaged. Starting out strong with a first possession TD was big. Alex's line was 21 of 36 for 223 and 2 TDS. He had no picks or fumbles. He was sacked four times. Seven different guys caught passes, and that's good. Nice to see Bowe get back into the mix today, and glad he got a TD catch.

7. Defense gave up one TD and three FG's, two of them over-50 yards, to a decent NFL offense with an experienced quarterback. That's pretty damn good. Flowers led the team in tackles today. Not so good. He got torched all day long by Dez Bryant, who had 9 catches for 141 and a TD. He almost had another long one on Flowers in the fourth quarter, except the ball went off Bryant's hands. I'm not really worried about Flowers, but he was over matched today. I kept wondering why Andy Reid didn't flip his cover corners and put a taller Smith on Bryant? Defensive line was stout again, and TJack kept his pants up. Poe had two more sacks. He's got a great early bid for the Pro-Bowl with his play. It did seem like the line was getting a little gassed in the second half, but did great overall against the run. Dallas only rushed for 37 yards, or 2.3 yards per attempt, and that's pretty terrific run defense.

6. Today was historic, as it was the first time the Chiefs wore red tops and red pants. They looked very red. They looked like Iowa State out there. Maybe it was lucky. Some change is refreshing. And what about all the new guys? Jeez...there's 31 new guys out there. Fasano was gimping around in the first half, Kelce is still gimping around on his knee, so this dude named McGrath, who looks like he just stepped out of a prison movie, played tight end for most the game, getting a clutch 22 yard gain in the second half. The newcomer play of the day was made by Ron Parker, playing for the missing nickel guy Robinson. He got the blind side blitz on Romo, and not only got the ball out but also recovered it. Pretty sweet play for a guy who had just got cut two weeks ago, and makes a game turning play two weeks later.

5. As far as dings, in the first quarter Brandon Albert hurt his left shoulder. He was carrying his left arm low and shaking his left side when he came out, and Stephenson went in for him. They sent him down to the locker room for about five minutes, then he popped back up, went back in, and played pretty well the rest of the game. He also was very vocal on the sideline, rallying the offense and getting in guys faces. It was good to see. Looked like Fasano was gimping around pretty bad during the game. He was in and out, looked like his knee stiffened up as the game went on. Kendrick Lewis got his arm tangled up with a receiver and took a good shot to the shoulder, but I think he'll be OK. Nobody looked like they got hurt where they couldn't go for Thursday against Philly except maybe Fasano. We'll see.

4. Did you stick around for halftime? The Grambling University Marching Band was here, and man, were they cool. Just like the movie "Drum Line." They had it goin' on. It was nice to see a great college marching band doing their thing. It was much more entertaining than "Jazzercise," or some fat fans trying to kick 10 yard field goals, or some of the other stupidity that has been offered up at half time in recent years. They should renew the tradition of having KU, K-State and Mizzou bands come for games. It's a great experience for the college kids, and it adds to the atmosphere. MORE BANDS!!!

3. Today's MVP was arguably Dustin Colquitt. seven punts, five of them inside the 20, and a long of 65. Dude was money all day long. On the punt in the fourth quarter that pinned the ball on the two, if Cooper isn't called for illegal touching, they pin Dallas on the two. That play was unfortunate, because the ball died on the two. If anybody else but Cooper touches it, it's a clean play. Hopefully he'll learn from that. We've had some glitches on special teams this season. Succop's FG attempt right before the half gets blocked, because McGrath whiffed on his block on the edge. He had guys on both sides of him, and he failed to block either. The guy on the wing came free and blocked the kick. Knile Davis should be forced to sleep with a football this week. He better start protecting the football on kicks, or he'll find himself working in the Soo Pig Drive In back in Fayetteville.

2. I wanted to mention something that happened in the fourth quarter that I thought was a pivotal moment in the game. With about 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Chiefs were up 17-13, and had the ball around the Dallas 40. On first down, Charles moves in the backfield for illegal procedure. On first and 15, Charles runs left and loses two yards. On second down, Smith scrambles and gets the penalty yardage back. On third down, Charles totally whiffs on a linebacker blitz from Bruce Carter, and Alex Smith gets thrown on his head. Chiefs punt. When Charles comes to the bench, the backs coach tries to talk to him about that series. Charles throws his helmet down, and walks away from the coach. The coach goes after him screaming at Charles. Brandon Albert goes over and gets Charles, brings him back to the bench, huddles up the offensive guys and tells them to cool out, and get their heads back in the game. Later, with three minutes left, Charles does a great job hanging on to the football and running clock to bleed all of Dallas' time outs, and by the time Dallas gets the ball back, they have 16 seconds and 94 yards to go with no time outs. I thought that move by Albert showed great leadership, and I think it got Charles' head back in the game. I don't think you guys got to see any of that on TV, because it happened during the TV time out after the punt.

1. Arrowhead was loud and proud today. During the fourth quarter, it was so loud, I could feel my car keys vibrating in my pocket. That's loud. We've already matched our win total from last year. We have a QB now. We have a defense now. We have a coach who knows what he's doing now. I'm not sure if the short week hurts KC or Philly more. Philly lost to Phyllis Rivers today, so they're going to be pissed off. But that's OK. And just think; we only have to wait four days to see another game, then our guys will get a little break, almost like a mini-bye week. That should help Charles and Fasano rest up and get back to full strength. After the game walking back to the car I couldn't help but imagine that ten mile long caravan of cars going down I-35 tonight, doing 85 mph bumper to bumper, headed back to Texas in a trail of tears. Y'all drive careful now, hear?

[gblowfish]

Baltimore is down, New England down. San Diego down.
Indy is up, Denver up, Houston up.

No reason to think we can't get a wild card if we win ten games. If we could beat Philly in Philly that would be huuuuuuuuuuuuuge....

[Discuss Thrower]

Originally Posted by gblowfish

Baltimore is down, New England down. San Diego down.
Indy is up, Denver up, Houston up.

No reason to think we can't get a wild card if we win ten games. If we could beat Philly in Philly that would be huuuuuuuuuuuuuge....

I still contend 10-6 will not be good enough for a Wild Card in either conference

[the Talking Can]

random chiefs update

Dave Skretta ‏@APdaveskretta

Branden Albert has AC sprain in left shoulder. Travis Kelce still has bone bruise in knee. Anthony Fasano has an ankle injury. #Chiefs

[gblowfish]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

I still contend 10-6 will not be good enough for a Wild Card in either conference

That may turn out to be true. There's no guarantees. But parity makes ten wins a good bet to advance.

Miami is better this year too. Gotta keep an eye on them.

[Old Dog]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

I still contend 10-6 will not be good enough for a Wild Card in either conference

Maybe not in the NFC, but I don't see anyone (outside of Denver, and for the sake of this "argument" we're conceding the West) that's likely to get more than that. In the AFC I think 10 definitely gets in, and wouldn't be shocked to see a 9-7 team get the second wildcard.



sorry for the thread hijack....Great read as always, George

[Discuss Thrower]

Originally Posted by gblowfish

That may turn out to be true. There's no guarantees. But parity makes ten wins a good bet to advance.

Miami is better this year too. Gotta keep an eye on them.

FWIW I'd guess KC will control their own destiny with 10-6 assuming they beat BUF CLE TEN IND and do no worse than 3-3 in divisional play. I still think a WC comes out of the North, and New England and Miami will teeter along AFCE champ and Wild Card.

Hell 11-5 might not do it..

[rabblerouser]

Originally Posted by gblowfish

Baltimore is down, New England down. San Diego down.

only for NE would 2-0 be considered 'down.'

[gblowfish]

Originally Posted by rabblerouser

only for NE would 2-0 be considered 'down.'

Yeah, that's a good point. But Brady doesn't have much talent around him. That's gonna come home to roost as the year moves on.

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

One more little note regarding Dez Bryant and Dwayne Bowe.

When Dez Bryant wasn't the primary option, I knew it immediately every time. When a throw was designed to go to the other side of the field, it was obvious by Bryant's 2nd stride.

I was amazed by how openly and obviously Dez Bryant quits on plays that aren't centered around him. It makes it clear to me know why he hasn't destroyed the world yet - the guy has Megatron ability and never seems to put it together. Well ultimately, I think he's probably just lazy out there.

Bowe, OTOH, was the same guy on every play. He blocked hard, ran his routes hard even when the play was going the other way and just competed on every snap.

It was an interesting contrast in styles. Maybe someday Bryant will mature and play like that every snap, but I've never seen a guy so openly jake plays that aren't coming his way.

Outstanding.

The announcers were keying on Dez (rightfully so. He was the whole offense first half) and there were a few times it showed up on the TV.

It's good about Bowe though. And **** everybody who says Bowe has an attitude problem. He's been here long enough that it would have come to a head if he were a problem. Now we just need to get him the damn ball and laugh at ****ers trying to tackle him.

[Pablo]

Originally Posted by gblowfish

Yeah, that's a good point. But Brady doesn't have much talent around him. That's gonna come home to roost as the year moves on.

I really doubt that. One of his WR's are going to get their shit together and be a decent target, and Gronk will come back and rape.

I don't think they'll run away with the division and win 14 games or anything, but I still think with Brady your floor is 11 wins.

[gblowfish]

Bowe is a different breed of cat. A couple years ago the players said he was the biggest dumb ass in the league. I think he's grown up a lot in the last couple years, and he's been through a lot. Think of the QB's he's had to work with: Huard, Croyle, Casshole, Quinn, Palko for chrissake. Now he has a legit QB and a head coach who likes to throw the ball. Good situation for Bowe. I think Haley also had a positive effect on his career, because he challenged Bowe to take his game up a notch.

[bricks]

I watched the NE/NYJ game.

And I gotta say, there is a lack of chemistry between Brady and his receivers. It just doesn't seem like they're on the same page. It's either the receivers fail to execute their assigments properly or the timing of the routes between the QB and the receivers are off.

I never seen Brady get so frustrated. This was a game they should of won by a wide margin since they forced 3 turnovers and also because the Jets aren't that good either. The offense just stunk. It was unusual to see considering its NE and Tom Brady. But there is no doubt in my mind that team has some real issues between QB and receiver that they better get fixed quickly or else it'll catch up with them later on.

[gblowfish]

Originally Posted by Pablo

I really doubt that. One of his WR's are going to get their shit together and be a decent target, and Gronk will come back and rape.

I don't think they'll run away with the division and win 14 games or anything, but I still think with Brady your floor is 11 wins.

Hmmmm...not sold that Gronk can stay healthy. We'll see. I've watched both NE games, and haven't been too impressed with their offensive weapons. Brady has had no Gronk, the murderer guy, no Woodhead, no Welker. But Hoodie is a great coach, and gets a lot out of his players.

[the Talking Can]

and this

[gblowfish]

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

and this

Cool, that was right in front of me after the game. Andy was fired up. Think he was happy to get that cheap ass Preston Road Trophy back for the Hunt Family.

Did you bring it in your suitcase, Jerry???