Chiefs Game Notes: Woe to the Foes

Chiefs Game Notes: Woe to the Foes

“I feel sorry for anybody that’s facing the

Chiefs this year… seriously.”

-Dez Bryant

Admittedly, the Kansas City Chiefs 38-17 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday night might just have been the first preseason game of the year, but it sure was great was to see Patrick Mahomes and company back out on the field at Arrowhead! Here are my initial thoughts from the game.

In the single series to start the game, Mahomes and the offensive starters looked absolutely flawless in their only appearance of the night!

Mahomes most impressive play of the night perhaps was his last-second decision to slide short of the goal-line instead of diving headfirst as he originally started to. We all know how competitive Mahomes is, his decision to play it safe rather than go for the six must-have gone against every instinct in the QBs bones.

However, thankfully he did, making the smart decision for himself and Chiefs Kingdom alike. A preseason game is not the venue for the league’s top-rated QB to risk a ‘nothingness’ injury.

I realize that defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was not likely to provide us any real insight into the various schemes of his new and improved defensive unit, but their lackluster performance in their first series gave me and many other Chiefs fans an overwhelming sense of… deja vu.

Again, it is only the first preseason game of the year, so I’m neither too elated nor deflated about Saturday night’s Chief’s first-team defensive and offensive performance. This game was not about Kelce, Mahomes, Hill, or any of the other first-stringers. As I wrote in my previous article,  Super Bowl Is Now, At Least For These Guys, the preseason is for these young guys and a few veterans on the bubble trying to make the team.

With that in mind, here are a few things from the Bengals game that I think worthy of note:

Rookie Darwin Thompson did not disappoint and quite possibly made me look like a virtual prophet. I’ve long been a Thompson fan, and he delivered against the Bengals, rushing for 22 yards and five carries and hauling in a pass for a 29-yard TD. His absolute leveling of a 290-pound defensive end also left no doubt as to his abilities as a blocker.

Mecole Hardman is as fast as we thought he was. The blazing wideout has wheels and put them on display for Chiefs Kingdom against the Bengals.

• • CB Charvarius Ward had a good initial outing despite many criticisms in the media since the game. Ward tied Juan Thornhill with the second-most unassisted tackles for the Chiefs with three apiece. LB Darron Lee led the Chiefs tacklers with four assisted, and three unassisted.
  • UDFA Running Back Josh Caldwell, had the best day of all RBs Saturday, with four carries for 59 yards and a touchdown.
  • Tanoh Kpassagnon’s and Breeland Speaks’ back-to-back sacks renewed some of the waning faith in the Chiefs defensive unit.
  • UDFA punter Jack Fox and veteran Dustin Colquitt both kicked two punts each with the upstart Fox averaging 46.5 yards to Colquitt’s 39.5 yards.

Our next preseason game is at Heinz Field this coming Saturday evening, against the Pittsburgh Steelers. When we take the field in Pittsburgh, I am looking for much of the same from our rookies Thompson, Hardman, Thornhill, and Ward.

Other niceties I hope to see is more consistent play from TE Deon Yelder, as well as better performances from RBs Darrel Williams and Carlos Hyde.

Also, more aggressive defensive play from our CBs and LBs on the bubble should be on the menu.

First-string offense, the one-and-done-series is perfect, even more so when Mahomes is perfect, too. Also, the sight of our starters safe and sound on the sidelines, laughing and joking, and advising the younger Chiefs is one of my favorite preseason highlights.

As a side note, Mr. Mahomes, it is preseason, throwing one away is perfectly acceptable.  It is much better than risking an injury.  I promise that you will have, hopefully, nineteen games starting in September to make spectacular runs!

First-string defense.  I’m not sure the one-and-done series is for your squad.  Last years’ Chiefs defensive performance, and certainly Saturday night’s performance does not garner it. Let’s shoot for the entire first quarter against the Steelers. As a new squad, you guys need all the work you guys can get as a unit.

Rookie and veteran players unhappy with how they did on Saturday, take heart. Standout performances against Pittsburgh all but erases any negative memories of the Bengals game.

Particularly, RB Josh Caldwell, it is highly unlikely that you will be a Chief in September.  However, a few more performances even half as good your work last Saturday against the Bengals all but ensures that you will be an NFL player this year.  Good luck!

Bonus Fun Fact: Thus far this preseason, the 38 points the Chiefs hung on the Bengals is the single-most in a game.

Michael Travis Rose — ArrowheadOne

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