Chiefs at Titans - Week 5 - Record: 5-0

At the beginning of the year one key thing had happened that I thought had proved we still weren't ready for primetime football. Right after all the teams had to cut down to the minimum number to start the regular season, we went out and picked up something like six or seven of the rejects. To me it was like searching for a decent ham & cheese sandwich from the corner deli's garbage bin.

But wow, has that turned out to be great for us. John Dorsey is looking like a genius making those deft personnel decisions -- very sweet. Two of those players stand out as guys who've really made a difference so far for the Chiefs.

The first is tight end Sean McGrath, who we really needed to step up when three -- yeah, that's just the typical wretched Chiefs luck -- three of our tight ends went down with injuries, Tony Moeaki, Anthony Fasano, and Travis Kelce. McGrath has really been a key go-to guy for Alex Smith, and do we need that since Smith's game is made up mostly of those short quick routes many of which go to the tight end.

The second is Marcus Cooper, and paying no attention to anything sports during the week I simply have had no idea who this guy is. But listening to the announcers today speak, it sounded like the guy is one fine athlete who just needs to get some decent direction and coaching to play a good pro game.

And was he clutch today. First he smartly pounced on an inadvertently booted punt into their end zone right at the optimum time to score the touchdown. Late in the game he made what could be the key defensive play of the game, literally yanking a pass right out of the clutches of the receiver he was covering. We were ahead by only three at the time, and we were able to drive down and get another field goal to force them to have to get a touchdown to be back in it.

As a team we were opportunistic again, we played stout stand-up defense again, we ground out things late again, but...

We got too many penalties again, we gave up big plays again, and our vertical passing game was just not clicking again. Yes Alex Smith had a subpar game with the slick rainy conditions. We got over 200 yards on offense in the first half and got two field goals? Come on. And he had too many passes that were just, whuhh??? On the other hand he did still get some decent connections to Donnie Avery and Dwayne Bowe that were key. And when it was all said and done, Smith still played that wise thoughtful football, especially late, something he has shown he can do exceptionally well. I'll take it.

I also have to make mention of yet another phantom pass interference penalty on Eric Berry. He'd just made a fantastic defensive play on a third-down pass, yet he didn't do anything worthy of the flag. The Titans series continued, and Tennessee scored a go-ahead touchdown. On the Chiefs next series there was a questionable roughing the runner call when their linebacker plowed into Alex Smith -- I agree it was tough to make, but they ranted and raved about that one. Sorry, but your guy launched his body at a guy clearly running out of bounds -- a penalty -- while nobody said a thing about our guy doing nothing that was just a critical.

In a way this is one thing I like, however, about this team. The players are carrying themselves with great composure, not letting those kinds of things get to them. Big play against you? Poor-call penalty on you? Another down: Just get out there and take care of business, baby.

Another testament to the splendid impact Andy Reid is having on this team?

Maybe.

Thing is, as far as I know, we are one of three undefeated teams left in the NFL. How insane is that. And while it is thoroughly enjoyable, indeed, I still watch how precariously we are winning these games. Next week we get Oakland at home. The Raiders are just not that great, and we haven't beaten them at Arrowhead since 2006.

Ugh, just looks like the perfect recipe for that letdown.

As it is, just soaking up the winningness. Pretty cool.
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