Laddie Morse
If I can pinpoint my specific reaction to this game: it was a blasé victory. Nothing about this game stood out to me. “Blasé” is a word my mother used to use and it seems to fit here. Blasé means: “Apathetic to pleasure or excitement as a result of excessive indulgence or enjoyment”… according to Merriam-Webster … and that seems to say it all about this wimpy win.
Why would I think that?
Remember, four seasons ago, when the Chiefs visited the Rams in L.A. at the Coliseum and lost that game 54-to-51? When you look at this game, and compare it to that game, the obviously huge difference is the score. Now, it seems like the Chiefs did just enough to win today… just as the Rams seemed to do four years ago. Zack Eisen summed up the way many of us might feel about this game:
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“The Chiefs couldn’t have gave less of a sh*t
that game and still won by double digits.”
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That makes the outcome of this game something to ignore, more than it makes the outcome of something to write home about. IOW, I feel “Blasé” about this contest. Yes, it was a pleasure to see the Chiefs win… it was a pleasure to watch the defense dominate the Rams… and it was a pleasure to see Kelce score on a 39 yard dash for pay-dirt. However… that’s pretty much it. The rest of the game was pure: “Ho-hum.” Besides the Kelce TD, probably the most exciting plays were a couple of INTs and the sack that George Karlaftis got, mostly because it was his first sack all by his lonesome.
Unthrilling Offensive Stats
RB Isiah Pacheco had 22 carries for 69 yards and a 3.1 YPC. During the last drive, even though he had already proven he was not going to improve on his YPC, HC Andy Reid continued to call Pacheco’s number.
Although it was great to see RB Ronald Jones get touches, he only had 4 of them. For 12 yards. Total.
TE Travis Kelce has 4 catches for 57 yards. Without his 39 yard TD catch and run, you would have sworn you were having a nightmare. Kelce was also the Chiefs leading receiver.
QB Patrick Mahomes was 27-of-42 with one TD adn one INT to go with it, while compiling a 85.4 rating.
Here’s another look at Patrick Mahomes INT:
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“It wasn’t a no look, I was going to throw it to Travis, but at the last second I didn’t think I could get it in. I tried to pull it down a bit and I threw directly into the dudes stomach. Just got to make sure I don’t do that, especially in the red zone.” Also…
“I’ve got to take out that one dumb play that I seem to make every game.”
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Yep, no kiddin’.
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Defensive Stats I Liked
LB Nick Bolton had 11 tackles and lead all Chiefs in that department. He also had an INT and continues to look like a Pro Bowl candidate.
DB L’Jarius Sneed was second on the team with 7 tackles. He also had one tackle for a loss (TFL) and two passes defensed while snagging a meaningful INT (of course, all INTs are meaningful).
Frank Clark has returned to his awesome level of play and had 6 tackles, one pass defensed, and one QB Hit.
Head Coach Andy Reid agrees with my assessment that the Defense outplayed the Offense. Reid said:
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“Defensively I thought we played a heck of a game.”
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Player of the Game
The Player of the Game award goes to, Nick Bolton this week.
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Here’s another view of Nick Bolton’s INT, a ground level view. Also, I love the love Willie Gay shows towards Nick Bolton at the end of this video.
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Un-Special Teams
When Skyy Moore dropped the Rams first Punt of the game, it was the last time he’ll ever be sent out there to field Punts again. Or at least it should be.
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Kent Swanson of ArrowheadPride says what I think many of us have been thinking:
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Swanson says this because Moore was sent in on the Chiefs very next offensive series and made a fantastic catch down the left sideline. HC Andy Reid added in his two cents worth after the game:
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“Wasn’t a very good showing?” Hmmm….
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The following tweet belongs with the Special Teams performance in this game:
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Reid’s Post Game Injury Report
Tweet of the Game
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Comment of the Game
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“Chiefs HC Andy Reid surpasses Marty Schottenheimer
for most wins at Arrowhead Stadium.”
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Quote of the Game
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“The offense sucked.” -Laddie Morse
“Big time sucked.” -David Bell
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Song of the Game
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The Future is Now
The Chiefs travel to Cincinnati to meet the Bengals next weekend:
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Sure do hope they’re ready. They sure weren’t this week.
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Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne
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