Henne, Meenie, Miny, Moe: Chiefs Lose To A Familiar Foe – Were it not for the injuries to Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Willie Gay, Jr., cornerback Rashad Fenton, and cornerback Deandre Baker, I’d not lose a moment of sleep about yesterday’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. They beat us soundly, leaving no doubt in any NFL fans mind that their 1st-stringers are much better than our 2nd-, 3rd-, and 4th-stringers. Big Whoop! That along with a buck and some change might get you a cup of coffee at McDonalds.
As for me? I’d much rather my team be 14-2, finishing their best regular season in franchise history, have the best quarterback in the NFL with weapons like wide receiver Tyreek Hill and tight end Travis Kelce, and an offensive genius as my head coach. Also, AFC top-seed and a first-round-bye in the playoffs would be nice: ✅ check, ✅ check, ✅ check, ✅ check, ✅ check, and ✅ check!
The Kansas City Chiefs are the reigning Super Bowl Champions. Their starters will have three weeks’ rest prior to their next match-up, and, even better, Andy Reid has two entire weeks to prepare his game plan for their next game. I’m certain AFC defensive coordinators are literally quaking in their boots, even as I write this. Big Red is the best head coach in the NFL. Yes, Bill Belichick, I’m talking to you.
View from the Cheap Seats
I won’t lie. The injuries to Willie Gay, Rashad Fenton, and Deandre Baker are devastating. They all were huge reasons to be optimistic about our anemic defense heading into the postseason. I’m hopeful that Gay and Fenton will be ready for our first postseason outing in two weeks. My heart goes out to the young man: Deandre Baker. A season-ending injury like this in such a meaningless game is the cruelest cut of all. However, I’m looking forward to seeing a rejuvenated, healthy Baker donning the Red and Gold at the start of the 2021 season in September. Go Baker!
I was happy with running back Darwin Thompson’s performance yesterday, in spite of a few miscues. I put those down to jitters. D-Train had a solid game with two touchdowns, 45 yards rushing and 65 yards receiving. Methinks if he had more playing time, his slip-ups would be fewer and farther between.
Backup quarterback Chad Henne did okay backing up the Super Bowl MVP. My biggest issues with Henne in yesterday’s loss was his boneheaded sack for a safety in the 2nd quarter and his inability to ignite the Chiefs to a win.
My biggest letdown of today’s game was the Chiefs defense. Again. Chiefs Kingdom must be able to count on our defensive players to make game-changing plays at key moments in every game. The postseason quadruples this necessity. Sadly, they’ve looked too much like a Bob Sutton-coached defense this entire season. That just ain’t going to cut it going head-to-head with the AFC elites.
Other quick thoughts:
- Byron Pringle is a beast given the chance.
- Mecole Hardman: hold on to the #&%$-ing ball!
- I’m liking what I see in BoPete Keyes.
Stat of the Game
Chad Henne had 2 plus passing touchdowns for the first time since Week 1, 2014.
Highlight of the Game
Tweet of the Game
Patrick’s momma raised him right!
Quote of the Game
PMII tweeted this almost immediately after the game was over.
Game Song: Don’t Stop Believin’
… and the Game Ball Goes to …
D·a·r·w·i·n T·h·o·m·p·s·o·n
I know he did not have a spectacular game, but he accounted for over half of the Chiefs points yesterday. Besides, I’m always rooting for D-Train!
Looking Ahead
Beats me! I reckon we’ll find out next week. I can’t wait!
Editor’s Note: The Chiefs first playoff opponent will be based on the following priorities: 1. If Indy wins, they will play K.C. since they would be the lowest seed in the AFC. Or, 2. If Indy loses and CLE wins… then the Browns will play K.C. because they’d then be the lowest seed. Otherwise, 3. If Indy and Cleveland both lose… then the winner of TEN/BALT will play K.C. because they’ll be the lowest seed.
Parting Shots
Congratulations to the Chiefs and Chiefs Kingdom for an incredible regular season in a most trying year. There’s not a day that passed in 2020 that I was not a happy Chiefs fan. I expect more of the same in 2021. Happy New Year to all of you wonderful Chiefs fans!
Michael Travis Rose — ArrowheadOne
If you are viewing this in Apple News and would like to join the Discussion, [GO HERE.](http://arrowheadone.com/henne-meenie-miny-moe-chiefs-lose-to-a-familiar-foe/#disqus_thread)