Chiefs Win Preseason Game Two, 30-12

Your Kansas City Chiefs won Preseason Game Two, 30-12 against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati. I suggested prior to the game that there were six things to watch in this game so let’s take a look.

1. Left Guard and Bryan Witzmann

It was Bryan Witzmann starting at left guard. He did much better this week but if he is to be successful over the long haul, he will still need to learn to get his pad level lower!

2. The Running Back Situation

Starting RB Spencer Ware may not be the starter by the time the season rolls around if Kareem Hunt keeps playing the way he did in this preseason game. Hunt was stuffed in the backfield a couple of times — because the Chiefs OL didn’t handle the Bengals DL very well at time — but he still managed to run for 40 yards on 8 carries and his runs were timely. He also contributed 4 receptions. The big surprise was Charcandrick West running vs. the Bengals third team and making them look like high schoolers. West looked looked like the West of two years ago when he was the starter because Jamaal Charles was unavailable. In this game he ran for 113 yards on 7 carries and his performance demands that he get some snaps with the first team, which could take place next week vs. the Seahawks. The Seahawks are not only an excellent team but they like to win every game, including all preseason games. Consequently, if West does well against Seattle, it will be very difficult to cut him. His excellent week was not to be overshadowed but C.J. Spiller had an excellent week vs. the Bengals as well. Spiller had 6 carries for 27 yards with a long of 15. The speed of Spiller’s carries is what makes him stand out and it’s an element that the Chiefs coaches may have a hard time not hanging onto at the end of preseason.

3. Wide receiver Number Two

It seemed almost obvious that the Chiefs were attempting to focus on WR #2 because WR #1, Tyreek Hill, only had two touches and one of those was a rushing attempt. However, Chris Conley was only targeted one time which leads me to believe they are also comfortable with whatever Conley brings to the team and they wanted to take a look at all the other wideouts. De’Anthony Thomas had 3 catches on 4 targets. Jehu Chesson was 2 of 4. Albert Wilson was 2 of 2. Travis Kelce, Seantavius Jones, C.J. Spiller, Tyreek Hill, Gavin Escobar, Anthony Sherman and Orson Charles, all had one reception.

Another WR note: on one play in this game DAT took on a CB (KeiVarae Russell, 5-11, 196) after receiving a pass in the right flat and broke a tackle gaining extra yards. One of my criticisms of him in year’s past is that he would go down if you thought about sneezing near him. I’ve said before, that it would be good if he could take up Tyreek Hill’s weight training regimen and he may have done that because he looks more buff now… and because on this play, he lowered his pads, bounced off of the CB and gained five more yards against the LBs in the process. The Black Mamba LIVES!

The defense revealed three developments as well.

1. Tanoh Kpassagnon is now an outside linebacker. He didn’t play any DL snaps (that I know of) and he did so admirably. I hope this move to Justin Houston’s position doesn’t mean that the Chiefs know something we don’t know… that it doesn’t mean that Houston is in need of a backup who can take a number of his snaps. That would be worrisome.

2. At right cornerback Phillip Gaines left something to be desired. He was targeted and he was targeted successfully several times while the first team was on the field. Not a good day at the office for the Chiefs third round pick in 2014.

3. Safeties Eric Murray and Leon McQuay had night and day games. Eric Murray had an interception with a nice run back while McQuay registered one tackle. My guess is that McQuay ends up on the Practice Squad. Murray has been too steady to cut.

The Quarterbacks all played well except Tyler Bray who had a slip which led to his being sacked and he ended up 2 for 5. He threw a touchdown but that came after Eric Murray gave him field position at the 20 yard line and on Bray’s first play from scrimmage he zipped a pass to Seantavius Jones for 6. After that, he didn’t play well and it appears — at this moment in time — that even 4th string QB Joel Stave has more NFL upside at this point.

Patrick Mahomes II the played well going 10 of 14 with two TDs. He almost added a TD with his legs but he did run for 29 yards in this game and displayed good escapability. One of my favorite plays of the game was Mahomes rolling to the right under pursuit he throws a laser to Gavin Escobar that was on a dime. Truly amazing throw. Oh yeah… forgot to say… the pass was for a first down.

What do you think Chiefs fans? Did you enjoy the game?

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