The below is from my main man Chris Phillips....a burgeoning star in the world of writing and a renowned Chiefs Fan.....mp.
“That play call on 3rd and 2 was horrible. Tony Moeaki over the middle is a low percentage play. It should have been a run play to Jamaal Charles!” This was the buzz from Chiefs Fans Monday morning after the Kansas City loss against the Houston Texans 31 – 35. “The Zebras stole the game! That was the worst call ever! That was a 37 yard swing. We really won yesterday.” More quotes from the Water Cooler Crowd.
I have to admit, I was thinking the same thing. As a matter of fact, I was so mad I didn’t even want to talk about it at all! However, it’s easy to get dragged in to a discussion when you feel like you got robbed. Misery loves company and there was more than enough to go around for Chiefs Fans that day.
Everybody knew that the Colts and Texans games were going to be tough. When you dissect the Chiefs schedule at the beginning of the season if these two games don’t jump off the page, then you’re delusional. These games were on the road and both opponents have a high powered offense. Peyton Manning has been a menace to society for years. Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson, and Arian Foster have lit up the fantasy world this season. What hurts is the way the Chiefs lost both outings. Let’s take a step back and a quick look at these games before we start pointing fingers.
Kansas City’s Defense played lights out against the Colts. How long has it been since you saw the Colts in a field goal battle? When had Peyton Manning not thrown for a touchdown at home against the Kansas City Defense? How long has it been since Kansas City has had a stifling defense? The truth is they had Peyton’s number that game and Tamba Hali played like a Champ. Manning was visibly shaken all through the first half. It looked like a miracle was about to take place in Indy. The K.C. offense sputtered and it just didn’t happen. Here’s the thing. When you have a chance like that to beat the Colts, you have to take advantage. Yes, Matt Cassel didn’t win the game but he didn’t lose it either. It takes time to progress and evolve with a new and under-developed team.
Kansas City’s Offense played phenomenal against the Texans. Matt Cassel threw for 200 plus yard, 3 TD’s, no interceptions, and had a passer rating of 122.9. This was clearly the best game Cassel has had in a Chiefs uniform. This type of performance is why he got paid the big cheese cake. The offense was balanced with 200 plus yards of rushing to compliment the passing game. However, this game will probably be remembered by the bone chilling play call on 3rd and 2 to seal the game. As well as the P.I. call against Brandon Flowers. I think Flowers, Haley, and every other Chiefs Fan was going to spontaneously combust after that mishap. Even Tony Dungy chimed in to air his dismay about the penalty. You know it’s got to be bad if Mr. Cool, Calm, and Collective has a comment to make against the Zebras. Oh, and let’s not forget, Tamba Hali. He was held more than a newborn baby in Reliant Stadium Sunday. Of course no holding calls all day against the hometown heroes. Here’s the thing. K.C has to find a way to lock the game down when they’re up 10 points with 6:30 left in the 4th quarter. This brings me to the point.
The Chiefs would have gained serious respect around the league if they could have split these two games, much less win both of them. And, they could have! The fact of the matter is we lost both games, or did we? Our record is 3-2, yep we lost both games. But just look at what have we gained this season? We know our Defense can play on the level against any team in the league. We know our offense can shoot it out against any team in the league. Our Special Teams has turned in a great report card for the first 5 games of the season. We are atop a Division that honestly, is pretty weak. A 9-7 record will make the playoffs in the AFC West.
Now, let’s think back to the beginning of the season. It’s Monday Night, September 13, 2010. The Kansas City Chiefs are playing the San Diego Chargers in the new Arrowhead Stadium (New Body, Same Soul.) Chris Berman and Michael Irvin are calling the Bolts to go to the Super Bowl. Many experts have the Chiefs season sewn up 5-11 at best. The Rain starts to pour the beginning of the 2nd quarter and J. Charles breaks a heart stopping run that will never be forgotten. I get chills just thinking about, it even now. Every rain soaked Chiefs fan in that stadium witnessed a “Magical Monday Night” performance. A multitude of phenomenal things have happened for the Chiefs since that moment. It’s easy to get caught up in the emotional roller coaster of these first five games.
Chiefs Nation; take a step back, look at the big picture, and be thankful. Up or down, victory or defeat, fair or unjust, we should be proud. The fact of the matter is we all need to simmer down. The future is magnificent.
I have to admit, I was thinking the same thing. As a matter of fact, I was so mad I didn’t even want to talk about it at all! However, it’s easy to get dragged in to a discussion when you feel like you got robbed. Misery loves company and there was more than enough to go around for Chiefs Fans that day.
Everybody knew that the Colts and Texans games were going to be tough. When you dissect the Chiefs schedule at the beginning of the season if these two games don’t jump off the page, then you’re delusional. These games were on the road and both opponents have a high powered offense. Peyton Manning has been a menace to society for years. Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson, and Arian Foster have lit up the fantasy world this season. What hurts is the way the Chiefs lost both outings. Let’s take a step back and a quick look at these games before we start pointing fingers.
Kansas City’s Defense played lights out against the Colts. How long has it been since you saw the Colts in a field goal battle? When had Peyton Manning not thrown for a touchdown at home against the Kansas City Defense? How long has it been since Kansas City has had a stifling defense? The truth is they had Peyton’s number that game and Tamba Hali played like a Champ. Manning was visibly shaken all through the first half. It looked like a miracle was about to take place in Indy. The K.C. offense sputtered and it just didn’t happen. Here’s the thing. When you have a chance like that to beat the Colts, you have to take advantage. Yes, Matt Cassel didn’t win the game but he didn’t lose it either. It takes time to progress and evolve with a new and under-developed team.
Kansas City’s Offense played phenomenal against the Texans. Matt Cassel threw for 200 plus yard, 3 TD’s, no interceptions, and had a passer rating of 122.9. This was clearly the best game Cassel has had in a Chiefs uniform. This type of performance is why he got paid the big cheese cake. The offense was balanced with 200 plus yards of rushing to compliment the passing game. However, this game will probably be remembered by the bone chilling play call on 3rd and 2 to seal the game. As well as the P.I. call against Brandon Flowers. I think Flowers, Haley, and every other Chiefs Fan was going to spontaneously combust after that mishap. Even Tony Dungy chimed in to air his dismay about the penalty. You know it’s got to be bad if Mr. Cool, Calm, and Collective has a comment to make against the Zebras. Oh, and let’s not forget, Tamba Hali. He was held more than a newborn baby in Reliant Stadium Sunday. Of course no holding calls all day against the hometown heroes. Here’s the thing. K.C has to find a way to lock the game down when they’re up 10 points with 6:30 left in the 4th quarter. This brings me to the point.
The Chiefs would have gained serious respect around the league if they could have split these two games, much less win both of them. And, they could have! The fact of the matter is we lost both games, or did we? Our record is 3-2, yep we lost both games. But just look at what have we gained this season? We know our Defense can play on the level against any team in the league. We know our offense can shoot it out against any team in the league. Our Special Teams has turned in a great report card for the first 5 games of the season. We are atop a Division that honestly, is pretty weak. A 9-7 record will make the playoffs in the AFC West.
Now, let’s think back to the beginning of the season. It’s Monday Night, September 13, 2010. The Kansas City Chiefs are playing the San Diego Chargers in the new Arrowhead Stadium (New Body, Same Soul.) Chris Berman and Michael Irvin are calling the Bolts to go to the Super Bowl. Many experts have the Chiefs season sewn up 5-11 at best. The Rain starts to pour the beginning of the 2nd quarter and J. Charles breaks a heart stopping run that will never be forgotten. I get chills just thinking about, it even now. Every rain soaked Chiefs fan in that stadium witnessed a “Magical Monday Night” performance. A multitude of phenomenal things have happened for the Chiefs since that moment. It’s easy to get caught up in the emotional roller coaster of these first five games.
Chiefs Nation; take a step back, look at the big picture, and be thankful. Up or down, victory or defeat, fair or unjust, we should be proud. The fact of the matter is we all need to simmer down. The future is magnificent.
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