The day has arrived! After a 3 year hiatus which may have been one of the lowest 3 years ever for this proud franchise, the Chiefs will return to the playoffs and for the first time in 7 years the playoffs will return to rockin' Arrowhead stadium. It was a hope wrapped in a dream inside of a wish that the Chiefs would be ahead of schedule and actually make the playoffs this year, but here we are. Fueled by the brilliance of Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennell and the steady hand of Todd Haley, the Chiefs have stayed the course and it has paid off with an AFC West Championship and a playoff appearance. Rarely has there been a better day to be a Chiefs fan in recent memory.
What I like about this game was that the Chiefs knew they had to win, regardless of what the Chargers did today the Chiefs controlled their own destiny and if they win out they're in the playoffs. This was as pressure packed as they come, a de facto playoff game, and the Chiefs came right out of the gate, grabbed a hold of this game, and did not let go. They ripped the Titans right from the start to make it a 24-0 lead, and an interception return for TD by rookie Eric Berry right before the end of the first half to make it 31-7 sealed the victory before the Titans even knew what happened.
As always, here is the good and bad form the game:
Good:
Matt Cassel - The Chiefs fan base started the season calling for Brodie Croyle, or to draft a QB, or to pick one up in FA, or to give Kurt Warner a call to goad him out of retirement. Now, the Chiefs fan base applauds when they see Matt Cassel go on the field and he has asserted himself as the unquestioned, captain, leader, and most valuable player on this team.
I have come full circle on Matt Cassel. The difference I have realized in myself is that when I see a player on a highlight, an elite QB, make a throw, it used to be 'man, I wish we had a QB who could make that throw.' Now my response is 'Matt Cassel can make that throw.' That is how I honestly feel and I think that is how Cassel feels as well and that is why he IS making these throws and looking like an elite QB. 3000+ yards, 27:5 TD:INT, and 96+ QB rating is better than we could have ever hoped as fans and well worth the $60+M.
Dwayne Bowe - If you get him involved early in the game, and he actually cares to come out and play, he is one of the best in the league. Unfortunately, he is inconsistent. Thankfully, he showed up this game and was a big reason the Chiefs won today. Dwayne Bowe should be in the pro bowl and I can't even believe I am saying that after the Indianapolis game. But there is a lot of that going around, and here we are.
Eric Berry - The kid continues to impress. He shows up big time in the running game, is ALWAYS around the ball, and finds a way to make plays. He deservedly found his way into the end zone after an interception near the end of the first half and deserved it. Berry will be a lynch pin of this defense for years to come.
Glen Dorsey - People chirp and the man continues to go about his business and do the unglamorous work. He penetrates, fills his gaps, stops the run, pressures the QB, and does everything a 3-4 DE should do. He is one of the best 3-4 DE's in the game and nobody is talking about him, but soon enough that will all change.
Jamaal Charles - This is not for usual running game attributes (which were solid if not below the norm for Charles at 13 rushes for 77 yards), but for his pass catching. He ran some solid routes and make a couple of really good catches showing good use of his hands. He caught 2 touchdowns and is showing himself to be a reliable target for Cassel out of the backfield.
Dexter McCluster - Looking at the box score he doesn't show up very big, but his impact on the game cannot be overlooked. He changes how the defense has their personnel and how they play. Him along with the matchup problems Tony Moeaki present make the Chiefs very hard to plan for on defense.
Bad:
Offensive line (running game) - The offensive line has been good in pass protection but has been lackluster in the running game as of late, especially when running up the middle.
Defensive Secondary breakdown - Late in the second half Demarrio Williams missed a sack on Kerry Collins and Collins unloaded a deep pass to Kenny Britt. While Williams was missing the sack, Eric Berry proceeded to cover the inside route on his zone, Brandon Carr didn't realize he didn't have safety help over the top and got burned by Britt for a 53 yard touchdown. This is something that will decrease over time when Berry, Lewis, Carr and Flowers have had more time to get used to each other, but these type of lapses cannot happen in the playoffs cause the Tom Brady's and the Ben Roethlisberger's of the world will make us pay and they won't throw a pick six a few minutes later like Collins did.
Final Thoughts: I thought the Chiefs were an 8 win team. I thought they could do no worse than 6-10, and I thought 10-6 was a stretch and everything had to fall right and we had to get everything we could out of these rookies. All of that happened and the Chiefs can not only be 10-6 but they can do one better and en the season 11-5 with a victory over the Raiders next week.
I can't describe the feelings of pride and elation I feel right now as my Chiefs team took a hold of it's own destiny and has made the playoffs just 2 years into the Pioli-Haley regime. They are probably a year ahead of schedule which is good to see. Playoff football will be rockin' at Arrowhead again. It's not clear how far the Chiefs will go in the playoffs, but one thing has been made clear all season, the Chiefs can compete with nearly anybody if the circumstances are right and they can make some noise in the playoffs. I am excited to see what the Chiefs will do in the 2010 playoffs. GREAT DAY TO BE A CHIEFS FAN!!!!!
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