Chiefs at Lions - Week 4 - Record: 4-0

Four years ago we played the Lions in London. During warmups at the stadium where they played, I believe it was Wembley, the sun broke through the open areas just under the roof illuminating the field with the team in quite interesting ways. I'm sure you remember, the Chiefs started that year miserably, but then got it in gear right about the time they hammered Detroit in that game. The team went on to run the table the rest of the season, and then added their first playoff win in eons.

I like to find more meaning in these kinds of things than they really have, I'm sure. But, it keeps the mind fresh and flowing. It can't be denied, however, that these years right now are some of the best any NFL team can enjoy. A future Hall-of-Fame coach directing a team of players led by the top quarterback in the league. All of them gathered together by a smart intrepid strategist who's taking care of business.

Not going to spend much time getting into all the usual suspects, bendy defense, steady offense, you know -- except this was kind of crazy with all the turnovers. The 3rd quarter in particular -- they fumble, we fumble, back-and-forth, too aggravating. The catch-and-pitch from Kelce to McCoy though, how fun was that.

I will tell you that two things stood out related to how the NFL officiates these games. I have to start with last week, when Mecole Hardman was clearly lined up off-sides just before he caught his 72-yard TD pass. Huh. I like that they don't call that, whether it is our team or theirs, because it is just too inconsequential, but again, just why again did they call it on Dee Ford against the Patriots, you know the call, the one that was the one most significant instance that denied us yet again?

Today there was a similar situation, you know, the refs actually managing the game like they should. Think back to Derrick Johnson slamming into Titans QB Marcus Mariota in that playoff game two years ago. Mariota clearly fumbles but the refs miss it. They blow the whistle. This even as Justin Houston scoops up the ball with acres and acres of open field ahead of him.

This game? At the goal line the Lions gave the ball to their pounding back who fumbled it in the pile. Credit the refs for not blowing the whistle! After a second that seemed to last forever, players just lying around, Bashaud Breeland reached in there to pluck out the football just waiting to be recovered by someone, and he heads for the endzone. I've seen this happen now a few other times in other games this year -- Let the play continue. Don't blow your whistle too early.

Huh, how about that. 100-yard touchdown fumble recovery.

Will this kind of smart, thoughtful, justifiable officiating be there when we're in a playoff game?

As it is we toughed out a close one, which is great. We need Patrick to get smacked around a bit, know what it takes to pull it out when it is very close. Today he had no touchdown passes, and hey -- how about we cool the expectations that he'll have 8,000 yards passing and 70 touchdown passes this year? I know it is fun to dream, no worries, but don't forget this is the NFL. All we needed him to do was matriculate the ball down the field when we were down 30-27 with two minutes left -- and his clutch 16-yard run on 4th-&-8 was a terrific part of that last-ditch drive to win it.

On to a couple of home games for once, and we're on prime time next week.
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