Broncos at Chiefs - Week 12 - Record: 7-4
A long time ago I'd heard that we'd be playing a Thanksgiving day game. Woo-hoo, I thought, that'll be great, it'll be televised and I can watch it with my family. Then I noted it would be against the Broncos, and thought, "Hmm, usually only the Lions and Cowboys get those days' games..." Then I caught that this game would be the first NFL Network game, and I went "Un-kay, it'll be on cable."
Thing is, a week ago I learned that the NFL Network isn't on many of the cable systems, including that of my sister-in-law's where we were enjoying the holiday. Great. This is precisely what I had feared in my gut. Here we've got a nationally televised game at home against a division rival and we can't see it.
The fact that we played really well didn't make it any better-- I wanted to see it! Getting what I know from a few periodic checks on the web, it looked like we did what we should have done in the game at Denver earlier in the year. Our defense was stellar yet again, and this time we got that clutch touchdown that kept us in charge of a predictably low scoring game. Our last drive before the half was an 88-yarder that featured some solid yardage plays and put us up 10-3. We got three more field goals in the second half, moving the ball well each time to keep the Broncos on their heels, finally finishing with the 19-10 win.
It was good to see Tony Gonzalez back and really getting into the mix as he should. Larry Johnson got his routine 100+ yards rushing against a good Denver defense. Trent Green really seemed to be getting back into the rhythm of things and the O-line protected him well considering its condition.
Is Herm Edwards working some magic to get this team into real contention in the very tough AFC? We've now got a nice ten day break until the next game which will be critical-- Cleveland on the road, a game we have to win with that road game against first place San Diego looming.
Friday, November 24, 2006
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Raiders at Chiefs - Week 11 - Record: 6-4
In the last seven straight games with the Raiders, the Chiefs have won them all, each by a point total of seven points or less. If you're a Chiefs fan like I am, this would be nirvana, but the nature of sports is always more of a karma thing. Sometime later you'll always get back what you've done to others. If this were the Raiders doing it to us, it'd be pretty unbearable.
Thing is, it really shouldn't have been that close, at least in considering the Raiders as a relatively weak team this year coming in with a 2-7 record. But they are an NFL team and they did have Aaron Brooks back at QB, so it turned out to be another struggle for us.
Behind 13-10 with only a few minutes left, we did get down the field for that go-ahead TD. I just wonder, are we a team that is actually, genuinely clutch, or are we just barely making up for a number of profound deficiencies? Is this 6-4 record really indicative of a winning team? I mean, in the opening moments we ran-- well, I should say, naturally, Larry Johnson ran over the Raiders for a quick TD score.
Then we went as flat as an limp unrolled crepe.
What's the deal? For one, our offensive line is still being held together with paper clips and scotch tape. I don't know, maybe I missed it, but was John Welbourn back in there? That can only help. I also have no idea when Brian Waters is coming back, and my son tells me that Tony Gonzalez may be back next week.
A great thing is that Trent Green was back in there. Sorry, as well as Damon Huard played, gotta go with Green. He was very rusty, but on that last drive today to try to win the game, he showed why he's the #1 guy. That pass he dropped right in Eddie Kennison's lap, precisely where it had to be, was vintage Trent Green.
As for our defense, it looked shaky, overpursuing and running past tackles... in other words, not finishing-- errgh. But ya gotta give it to 'em, they still held the Raiders to 13 points.
And what's with Lawrence Tynes? Double errgh. He can hit a clutch 82-mile field goal to win a game, but he can't hit a 35-yard chip shot that today would've tied it.
This upcoming Thursday, Thanksgiving, we get Denver at home. This'll go a long way to answering that question I asked earlier. Are we for real or are we just fooling everyone?
In the last seven straight games with the Raiders, the Chiefs have won them all, each by a point total of seven points or less. If you're a Chiefs fan like I am, this would be nirvana, but the nature of sports is always more of a karma thing. Sometime later you'll always get back what you've done to others. If this were the Raiders doing it to us, it'd be pretty unbearable.
Thing is, it really shouldn't have been that close, at least in considering the Raiders as a relatively weak team this year coming in with a 2-7 record. But they are an NFL team and they did have Aaron Brooks back at QB, so it turned out to be another struggle for us.
Behind 13-10 with only a few minutes left, we did get down the field for that go-ahead TD. I just wonder, are we a team that is actually, genuinely clutch, or are we just barely making up for a number of profound deficiencies? Is this 6-4 record really indicative of a winning team? I mean, in the opening moments we ran-- well, I should say, naturally, Larry Johnson ran over the Raiders for a quick TD score.
Then we went as flat as an limp unrolled crepe.
What's the deal? For one, our offensive line is still being held together with paper clips and scotch tape. I don't know, maybe I missed it, but was John Welbourn back in there? That can only help. I also have no idea when Brian Waters is coming back, and my son tells me that Tony Gonzalez may be back next week.
A great thing is that Trent Green was back in there. Sorry, as well as Damon Huard played, gotta go with Green. He was very rusty, but on that last drive today to try to win the game, he showed why he's the #1 guy. That pass he dropped right in Eddie Kennison's lap, precisely where it had to be, was vintage Trent Green.
As for our defense, it looked shaky, overpursuing and running past tackles... in other words, not finishing-- errgh. But ya gotta give it to 'em, they still held the Raiders to 13 points.
And what's with Lawrence Tynes? Double errgh. He can hit a clutch 82-mile field goal to win a game, but he can't hit a 35-yard chip shot that today would've tied it.
This upcoming Thursday, Thanksgiving, we get Denver at home. This'll go a long way to answering that question I asked earlier. Are we for real or are we just fooling everyone?
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Chiefs at Dolphins - Week 10 - Record: 5-4
I can't say that I didn't think this was going to happen. I actually thought the Dolphins, not a particularly good team who'd last week beaten the Bears at their place, would play even better.
The Dolphins were just as mediocre as they'd been most of the year. We just sucked, and the 13-10 score wasn't as close as that. It kind of reminded me of last year's Buffalo game, one of those contests we had no business losing and was especially painful to watch. Some items of note that showed exactly how pathetic we were: We got our first first down with three minutes left in the first half. The only touchdown we got was right after a gift turnover deep in their territory. We couldn't even take advantage of a bonked-off-the-upright FG miss by their kicker, when a bit later our guy couldn't hit a 48-yarder.
What was the problem? Easy.
Our offensive line is in tatters.
All Chiefs fans should know the litany by now. Willie Roaf retires, John Welbourne is suspended, Tony Richardson signs with another team... Now Brian Waters is injured. There is just no way you can pluck All-Pro OL-men from trees. If you lose your go-to back, it hurts and everyone knows it. It isn't any different when you lose your extraordinarily talented linemen.
You could see it in the whole game. Damon Huard had a horrible game, which by the way should move Herm's hand in finally putting Trent Green back in. He not only couldn't connect for beans, but he was sacked a number of times, a couple in that most critical last minute drive to get a game-tying FG. Needless to say Larry Johnson couldn't get anywhere.
That's all O-line stuff.
I don't know what we're going to do. Maybe Herm can be a magician. Maybe Green being back in will mean something-- except that I just think about that first game against the Bengals when he was running all over the field and eventually got clocked.
Our defense sure is holding up its end, and this without Derrick Johnson. The only TD they gave up was set up by their only big pass play. Other than that they did pretty well shutting Miami down. Can the defense carry us when our Achilles heel is so pronounced?
How ironic is that. Our bread and butter, that O-line, one that saw Priest Holmes to such renown...
That line could be our undoing.
I can't say that I didn't think this was going to happen. I actually thought the Dolphins, not a particularly good team who'd last week beaten the Bears at their place, would play even better.
The Dolphins were just as mediocre as they'd been most of the year. We just sucked, and the 13-10 score wasn't as close as that. It kind of reminded me of last year's Buffalo game, one of those contests we had no business losing and was especially painful to watch. Some items of note that showed exactly how pathetic we were: We got our first first down with three minutes left in the first half. The only touchdown we got was right after a gift turnover deep in their territory. We couldn't even take advantage of a bonked-off-the-upright FG miss by their kicker, when a bit later our guy couldn't hit a 48-yarder.
What was the problem? Easy.
Our offensive line is in tatters.
All Chiefs fans should know the litany by now. Willie Roaf retires, John Welbourne is suspended, Tony Richardson signs with another team... Now Brian Waters is injured. There is just no way you can pluck All-Pro OL-men from trees. If you lose your go-to back, it hurts and everyone knows it. It isn't any different when you lose your extraordinarily talented linemen.
You could see it in the whole game. Damon Huard had a horrible game, which by the way should move Herm's hand in finally putting Trent Green back in. He not only couldn't connect for beans, but he was sacked a number of times, a couple in that most critical last minute drive to get a game-tying FG. Needless to say Larry Johnson couldn't get anywhere.
That's all O-line stuff.
I don't know what we're going to do. Maybe Herm can be a magician. Maybe Green being back in will mean something-- except that I just think about that first game against the Bengals when he was running all over the field and eventually got clocked.
Our defense sure is holding up its end, and this without Derrick Johnson. The only TD they gave up was set up by their only big pass play. Other than that they did pretty well shutting Miami down. Can the defense carry us when our Achilles heel is so pronounced?
How ironic is that. Our bread and butter, that O-line, one that saw Priest Holmes to such renown...
That line could be our undoing.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Chiefs at Rams - Week 9 - Record: 5-3
Has anyone noticed that we've won 5 of the last 6? The only thing is that we're 4-0 against the NFC (sweeping the NFC West) and that won't win us any tie-breakers. Can we take all the AFC teams (against which we're 1-3) we've got for the rest of the season?
This game was almost another heart attack game, with us going up 24-7 before they started making waves, getting it to 24-17 and driving for the game-tying score when they bogged down at about the thirty yard line as the 3rd quarter ended. The Rams really killed themselves at that point, getting all kinds of false start penalties and pass interference calls against them. Thing is, are we a good enough team to win without the help? I mean, at one point their QB Marc Bulger was something like 23-26 in passing, and he ended up with over 300 yards on the day. That's phenomenal.
I have developed a new healthy respect for Tony Gonzalez. Is Herm Edwards just using him more and better (5 catches and 2 TD's today)? That's great, but I have to confess I've always had a reserved opinion of him in light of all the plaudits heaped upon him. I think a lot of it is that I do expect him to be super human out there, and I know that isn't fair. The don't think you'd disagree, however, that when he comes up with some of the terrific plays that he does make, he does deserve his ranking as one of the best ever.
We've played a killer schedule so far. I say this because we've got piddly Miami next week. It should be cake, but I fear that's just the game to humble us big-time. It's in Miami, and while we beat them there last year, we have a history of just not getting done at their place.
Has anyone noticed that we've won 5 of the last 6? The only thing is that we're 4-0 against the NFC (sweeping the NFC West) and that won't win us any tie-breakers. Can we take all the AFC teams (against which we're 1-3) we've got for the rest of the season?
This game was almost another heart attack game, with us going up 24-7 before they started making waves, getting it to 24-17 and driving for the game-tying score when they bogged down at about the thirty yard line as the 3rd quarter ended. The Rams really killed themselves at that point, getting all kinds of false start penalties and pass interference calls against them. Thing is, are we a good enough team to win without the help? I mean, at one point their QB Marc Bulger was something like 23-26 in passing, and he ended up with over 300 yards on the day. That's phenomenal.
I have developed a new healthy respect for Tony Gonzalez. Is Herm Edwards just using him more and better (5 catches and 2 TD's today)? That's great, but I have to confess I've always had a reserved opinion of him in light of all the plaudits heaped upon him. I think a lot of it is that I do expect him to be super human out there, and I know that isn't fair. The don't think you'd disagree, however, that when he comes up with some of the terrific plays that he does make, he does deserve his ranking as one of the best ever.
We've played a killer schedule so far. I say this because we've got piddly Miami next week. It should be cake, but I fear that's just the game to humble us big-time. It's in Miami, and while we beat them there last year, we have a history of just not getting done at their place.
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