It’s week 2 of the NFL season, and time for episode 2 of “It Could be a Long Season”… my beloved Kansas City Chiefs lost a tough one to the Chicago Bears.
Problem 1? Complete lack of offensive creativity. When you’ve got an offensive line coach serving as offensive coordinator, and a head coach that absolutely loves 10-7 and 13-10 ballgames… I guess this is what you get. Here’s example one of our incredibly creative play-calling:
The first drive, play-by-play? Run, run, pass… run, run, pass… run, run, pass… punt. The next four drives? Three and out… a total of six three and outs for the game. We wait until it’s almost too late to start throwing the ball down the field… only twice in the first half, on the touchdown drive (coincidence? I think not.).
Problem 2? Horrific special teams play. On kickoff returns, the Chiefs managed to get the ball to the 18, 19, 31, 17, and 27 yard lines. And kick coverage? Well. Let’s just say this… Devin Hester, 73 yard punt return… touchdown. Devin Hester, 30 yard punt return to the Chiefs 19 (resulting in a Bears FG). Devin Hester, 97 yard kickoff return… touchdown (thankfully called back by penalty!).
All said, I only saw a couple redeeming plays for special teams the entire game… great coverage on the opening kickoff of the second half, holding Hester to a 10 yard return to the 17, and a very nice 45 yard FG from newly acquired kicker, Dave Rayner. (Of course, to temper that, he did have a 48 yarder blocked.)
Problem 3? Missed opportunities. When the Chiefs finallly got creative, we ran a flea-flicker for a TOUCHDOWN… only to see it called back by an illegal shift penalty. When we’re in sure FG position late in the game, Huard makes a poor throw to the endzone and has it intercepted. Late in the game, we’re moving downfield under BRODIE, BRODIE! … and Michael Bennett fumbles.
It’s hard enough to beat a team like Chicago, but to help them out by blowing opportunities? It’s nearly impossible.
I will note that there were a few highlights… Dwayne Bowe made one heck of a catch on the touchdown (robbing Tony Gonzalez of tying the NFL record for TDs by tight ends). Dave Rayner did drill a 45 yarder. And Brodie? He made four consecutive nice throws at the end. Too bad he didn’t get a chance to continue the drive.
Anyway… as with last week, there’s still hope for this to be a good day. Denver’s in trouble in OT at home versus the Raiders. Yes… the Raiders! Unbelievable.
DOH! Janikowski makes a 51 yarder, but timeout was called! And of course, he would doink the second off the upright…
*SIGH*
And of course… Denver would march down the field and end it…
See man, yet another reason to be a Packers fan.
I like the Packers, Micah… always have. But they’ll ALWAYS be a distant second on my list of NFL teams…
You know how I feel about Brodie! 🙂
Do you want greasy fingers Dante back? Grrrrrrr.
I think I’d take Dante over Eddie Drummond any day. On three of five kickoffs yesterday, he didn’t even get out to the 20!
Did he muff a punt leading to the game winning FG?
Nope… but then again, we didn’t need a returner to help us with costly turnovers… Michael Bennett and Damon Huard did just fine on their own.
Drummond did manage to hold onto the ball this week… apparently he doesn’t cough the ball up EVERY game.