If you ask the Jeff Report, the biggest step a young, building team can make is to win the game you're supposed to win. Say you have 6-8 games every year you're supposed to win, then another 4-5 that could go either way, and another 4-5 you're not suppose to win. If you win the ones you're suppose to win, then you're competing for the playoffs right there. Then if you split the games that could go either way, and steal one or two of the games you're "not supposed to win" then you find your team with 11-12 wins.
First step, though, is winning the games you're supposed to win. That's what the Chiefs did today and in spectacular fashion. Make no mistake, the Chiefs still have issues, but I am very encouraged after this victory.
As always, here are my good and bad from the game:
Good:
The Running Game - Once again the running game was nothing but spectacular. The Jaguars don't have a great defense but they are a physical bunch with a solid d-line and the Chiefs just ran all over the field. Combined they had over 200 yards most of which came from the big two with Thomas Jones having 125 yds and 1 TD and Jamaal Charles adding 71 yds and another TD. There's not much more to be said that hasn't already been said this season, the Chiefs run game is legit. Keep it up.
Dwayne Bowe - Again, after a disastrous game two weeks ago, Bowe showed up and showed up big time for another big game. Bowe grabbed 3 balls for 81 yds and 2TDs. One of those TDs was a big time catch and run that fulfilled my dream of catching a big play on my phone and is stationed at the top of this post. I was down on Bowe after the Indy game, but I thank him for that and sincerely hope he can keep this up for the rest of the season.
The Secondary - Not sure what their wide receivers stats were but they didn't catch many balls. They didn't even look at throwing toward Brandon Flowers and Brandon Carr had a good game as well. Eric Berry had a slip up allowing a touchdown but redeemed himself by getting the game clinching INT, the first of many in his career. Berry needed something really good like that to happen and I'm glad he got it, hopefully he can build on that. There were some pass interference calls but I will get to those later.
Matt Cassel - Cassel put together another solid game. He didn't have to win the game, but he made some decent throws and his confidence is building. At this point, the Chiefs just need to keep winning and his confidence keep growing and if the Chiefs make the playoffs then hopefully he will have the confidence to be the QB they need to win some games in the postseason.
Glen Dorsey's Intensity - Glen Dorsey whipped himself into shape this offseason and it has paid dividends so far. He moves around better and looks like he's getting real comfortable in his 3-4 D-end spot. He is able to stay on the field longer and when the defense needs a big play he is bringing the intensity and getting everyone hyped up. There was a huge goal line the Chiefs had and Dorsey was the one getting the team pumped. He is settling in to a leadership role on the defense and could end up being the Richard Seymour of this defense. Boom.
Tamba Hali - I think he might be slightly injured still and isn't quite what he was the first 3 weeks of the season, but he is still getting pressure on the QB and recorded a sack today. If he continues on this pace he should get his first pro bowl this season.
Bad:
The Officiating - Normally I don't really comment on the officiating, there are going to be bad calls every game and you just have to deal with it, but this game was ridiculous. Two big pass interference calls that should have gone on the offense were called and had a large effect on the game. The Jaguars got ten points from those calls alone and the one on Eric Berry may have been the worst call I have ever seen. Do the refs know that you can call interference on the offense when there is contact?
The Linebackers - With the exception of Derrick Johnson the linebackers are slow and can't make plays. They can't cover tight ends or running backs and have difficulty recognizing screens (except for DJ). This may end up being our biggest hole in the offseason along with wide receiver. I am gonna give the rest of the league the blueprint to beat the Chiefs linebackers: line up in a 2 TE set, then run one TE on a drag route across the field and he will be wide open every time cause our LBs can't cover worth anything.
Brandon Albert - I don't think he had a very good game. He will be a solid starting left tackle but not the elite type tackle we were hoping for when we drafted him. However, if he is put with a line like we have and they can operate like they are, then it's fine.
Final Thoughts - This game was a big step for the Chiefs. As aforementioned, you have to win the games you're supposed to win and the good teams win those types of games. The Chiefs have won all games they were supposed to win so far this season and if they continue to do so, then they will have a real good shot at the playoffs.
The Chiefs got jobbed on more than a few penalties today and they didn't get down, overcame, and won the game. That type of resiliency is paramount to a winning team and it is good they were able to remain calm and overcome. This has me really excited about the Chiefs this year.
Here are some more highlights:
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