Chiefs: What We’ve Witnessed That’s Good and What We Need to See Improved – Kansas City Chiefs beat Houston Texans by a score of 34-to-20 last Thursday. We saw a lot of positives in all facets of the team. A rough start was expected with having no preseason games to iron out the wrinkles. But yet we seen the players, and coaches are taking #runitback very serious. I would like to point out in detail, the good that we seen, and where we need to improve before playing Los Angeles Chargers next week.
The Good: Coaches
With a peculiar type of training camp, different than in any normal season, we saw that the coaches did a very good job getting all of the players ready. The entire team — coaches and players — were focused and on the same page, playing together and making the correct calls needed to win this game. There appeared to be very little rust, which reflects well on the coaches. Team penalties were kept in check — one for five yards — and no turnovers by the offense or special teams. It did seem as if the play calling was mostly vanilla, but then there was no need to show more.
The Good: Offensive Skill Players
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes showed that he is still the same quality of playmaker that we have gotten used to seeing for the last two seasons. His pre-snap processing of the defense is improving, even though Houston was showing new wrinkles from their new Defensive Coordinator, Anthony Weaver. Mahomes’s timing with his wide receivers was at mid-season form. No fumbles, no interceptions, while spreading the passes around amongst 6 different players. Mahomes 75% accuracy on his 32 attempts would have been better if not for the drops and the pass interference. 3 TDs thrown and only 211 yards passing are average to below numbers, but Houston’s game plan was to stop the Chiefs deep passing game, which opened the way for the Chiefs newly acquired running back savant: Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
RB CEH showed that all the hype was warranted coming his way during training camp. He was actually much better than I thought he would be for his first NFL game. Apparently, the Texans didn’t expect what CEH was able to do either. We have yet to see everything that CEH is capable of, and I don’t think many DCs around the league want to see him, period. If you exclude the 6 goal line attempts, CEH had 19 carries for 138 yards, which was 7.2 yards per carry. Plus, we dIdn’t even see what he was known for in college: catching the ball in the flat putting defenders one-on-one. More of a threat yet to come, Patrick Mahomes was giddy after the game just discussing the many ways that this new rookie running back enhances the potential of the offense moving forward.
The Good: Tight Ends
The Tight Ends did very well, considering the Texans game plan was to limit Travis Kelce’s output. His total yards was down, but his targets-to-catches — 6-for-6 — and his clutch catches — 3 for a 1st down and 1 TD — were greatness, plus, his playmaking ability and threat garnered the Chiefs two penalties against the Texans. Here’s Travis Kelce on why the Chiefs were so sharp offensively:
“This group has been together for awhile. We understand the intent of the play caller.”
The Good: Wide Receivers
The Wide Receivers as a group played well… even though the Texans game plan was to not get beat by Kansas City’s passing game. They did not get impatient, but still just kept pushing to get open. Team ego will always be of high importance within the grading system, and the best WRs in the league have to withdraw from there individual achievements for the long term goals of the team.
The Good: Defensive Linemen
The defensive lineman played very well, showing that they will be a tough group to deal with this year, both in the run, and passing game. They started the game a little loose against the Texans run game. But after Houston scored first to take the lead, then the coaches and the DL adjusted to shutdown the total offense. They not only controlled the trenches warfare but they put constant pressure on Deshawn Watkins, prohibiting him to have rhythm with his WRs. The constant pressure also kept Deshawn from using his legs to buy more time, or did not allow him to move the ball with his scrambling ability.
The Good: Defensive Backs
The Safeties and Cornerbacks played very well: there communication and there coverage abilities were in mid season form. The rookie L’Jarius Sneed was tested heavily early in the game, and he held his own quite well. The DBs covered the Texans WRs well enough that coupled with the quick pressure by the DL, many times Deshaun Watson couldn’t find open receivers.
Needs Improvement: The OL
The Offensive Lineman had a rough start. Mitchell Schwartz gave up a sack… which is a rarity and it did not happen in 2019. The communication and unity was not happening early in the game. The issues were corrected, now going forward they must start games the way they finished this game. Demarcus Robinson needs to do a better job of catching passes, mainly his trouble comes on difficult, or not placed in his desired catch radius. Goal line rushing offense must improve. CEH had 6 attempts inside of the Texans 3 yard line, netting a total of -2 yards (5 att. negative; 1 att. positive).
The Offensive Line was good sometimes, but I can’t gush on them. It was a mixed bag but after an early rough start, they made necessary adjustments and finished the game strong. As a coordinated group effort they kept pressure off of QB Patrick Mahomes, and opened running lanes for Clyde Edwards-Helaire, so that’s a plus.
Needs Improvement: The LBs
The Linebackers on any top defensive unit throughout the league will be an integral part of the whole team effort. The Chiefs Linebackers play early in the game was sloppy, but it was expected, and not having preseason games showed that the LBs suffered the most. The speed of the game affected the LBs the most of all units.
The Linebackers simply must do better. They missed tackles and were not in the right position to stop the the Texans running game, or to limit the short passing game. Some of the issues were the coaches had to figure out the right combination of players to use within the different scenarios. Most of the game, the overall defense played well together. They had allowed only 7 points through three quarters, to, what many think is a high scoring offense. When in the 4th quarter came, in garbage time, the defense softened up and still, Tyrann Mathieu was quoted in a Kansas City Star article saying,
“I’m pissed off, In my mind, we’ve got a lot more work to do. I think those guys scoring 20 points kind of leaves a bad taste in our mouth.”
As many players over time have been heard to say that is Championship swagger. It can also be said that the leader of this defense has pride, and that is a very good thing. So, as the season moves forward for team improvements we need to see, are better consistency by the entire unit: all 4 quarters.
Needs Improvement: Reid’s Facemask
Andy Reid’s facemask was brutal, it must be improved or we’ll have to report him to the CDC! 🤣
Conclusion: The Good & Needs Improvement
We all know how much of an advantage that it was to have all the coaches back and so many of the players as well. With a high percentage of returning starters, and the right mix of free agents, and incoming rookies, this team looks to be ready to dominate the NFL. Beware 18 other opponents:
“There is a dynasty manifesting before your very eyes!”
Just might as well roll out the red carpet and enjoy your time on the same field with royalty! The Kingdom… has arrived.
Alan Haupt — ArowheadOne
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