Chiefs Survive on FGs and a Prayer – Trap game. No sooner than I had written the Looking Ahead portion of my article last week and saw that we were facing a Denver Broncos team absolutely embarrassed last week. Not only embarrassed by the New Orleans Saints, 31-3, but also embarrassed that their quarterback group not following the COVID-19 protocol established by the league. Their obscene lack of discipline and disregard for the rules ensured that none of their three quarterbacks were eligible for the Saints game and relegated quarterbacking duties to a practice squad wide receiver.
The need for the Broncos to vindicate themselves this week triggered my ‘trap game sense’ (it’s like Spidey-sense, but it doesn’t tingle). That the Chiefs were coming off an emotional victory against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers served only to intensify that trap game vibe.
Add all the negative talk on Arrowhead One, other fan sites, and social media all week talking negative about how horrible the Chiefs defensive has been this year, and my dread of last night’s game being a trap game only increased.
Throw in that the Chiefs were wearing their red-on-red jerseys and playing a division rival at home, while others had visions of sugarplums dancing through their heads, the only mantra on repeat in my dome was, “Trap game! Trap game! Trap game!”
View from the Cheap Seats
I was right. This was a trap game! Luckily for us, Coach Reid, Patrick Mahomes, and the rest of the Kansas City Chiefs do not normally fall for traps, be it a game or otherwise.
This was not an easy game for our Chiefs. They simply could not score in the red zone, other than on the leg of Harrison Butker. Save for the Kelce touchdown in the third quarter, we were absolutely abysmal in the red zone, having to settle for a field goal on five different occasions. Trap game, or no trap game, that’s not Chiefs football.
We really need to hand it to our defense, who did a good job in keeping the Broncos under twenty points despite the Broncos pounding out 179 yards on the ground. The Chiefs D held the Broncos quarterback Drew Lock in check, allowing him only 151 yards passing along with two touchdowns, and Tyrann Mathieu picking off two (2) of Drew Lock’s passes.
Patrick Mahomes was vintage Mahomes, sans the red zone issues, throwing for 318 yards and a touchdown. Kelce showed once more why he’s the best tight end in the league with eight catches for 136 yards and a touchdown. Kelce now has 1,114 receiving yards this year, marking his 5th straight season of 1,000 or more passing yards, making him the first TE in NFL history with 1,000+ receiving yards in 5 straight seasons.
Let’s be honest Chiefs Kingdom, it was one of, if not the ugliest wins this season. However, a win is a win, no matter how ugly. I’ll take it gladly, happy to march into Miami next Sunday at 11-1.
Stat of the Game
With last night’s stats, Patrick Mahomes has surpassed Trent Green (24) for the most games with 300+ pass yards in Chiefs history.
Highlight of the Game
This is the prettiest touchdown that never was. Alas.
Tweet of the Game
Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce are eternally high school freshman. I dig that!
Quote of the Game
“Hats off to the Raiders.” – Travis Kelce
Game Song: Another One Bites the Dust
… and the Game Ball Goes To …
Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker. Given his struggles earlier this season with extra point attempts, Butker came through today, accounting for 16 of the Chiefs 22 points (five field goals and a point after).
Also, that open-field tackle in the second quarter wasn’t bad, either. Great form, Butkicker!
Looking Ahead
Our Chiefs face a daunting task against the 8-4 Miami Dolphins in the Sunshine State next Sunday afternoon in a rare early game. The Fins, coming off fight-filled win against the hapless Cincinnati Bengals, 19-7, yesterday, are intent on keeping pace with the (as of this writing) 8-3 Buffalo Bills to vie for the AFC East title by a non-Bill Belichick-coached team since 2008.
Add that all teams facing the Super Bowl LIV Champs this season always try bring their “A” game when facing the Red and Gold, this matchup is huge for both organizations.
Parting Shot
As you bravely brace and courageously take on a new week brought to you by the year 2020, today, remember that no matter how bad your day might be, you’ve never faced ‘panda’monium quite like this!
Michael Travis Rose — ArrowheadOne
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