Here we sit after victory number two. Victory 1 was an unexpected beating of the New England Patriots in Foxborough to open the season. Victory 2 was an unexpectedly difficult game against the Philadelphia Eagles in the comfy confines of Arrowhead. What happened? Should we worry? Did we escape the dreaded trap game?
In the first half it looked like we were coming out firing on all cylinders and continuing where we left off from the NE game. However, that stalled out and left us 4th and 4 at the PHL 16. We kicked a field goal and moved on.
The Eagles countered with a field goal on their next drive and then we spent 5 drives between the teams watching stalled drives and punts. At the end of the half each team had a decent drive with KC kicking an FG and PHL missing their attempt.
Heading into the half we were looking at a 6-3 lead for the good guys. How could this be? We were able to handle the world beating NE Patriots. Was it a hangover from the week? Did we underestimate the Eagles. I don’t know, that’s why I am not employed by any NFL team.
What I do know is that all changed in the second half. The teams came out and, after their first drives, looked like a completely different set of teams. The defensive battle of half 1 became the offensive battle of half 2. The KC offense had the edge going into the last 3 minutes of the game. KC was up 27-13 with 3:13 left. Then garbage time, prevent defense, bend don’t break kicked in and cost us 7 points.
I would like to focus a bit on the offense, since that seems to be what many fans share concerns on. It seems like KC has had a stout defense for years. We have struggled with putting points on the board offensively though. Run down the excuses if you like, but it always seemed to come down to missing talent at a position and that position was key. Now, we appear to have wealth of talent. And, I don’t mean a bunch of first rounders or anything so homerific. I am just saying that we seem to have players at every position that can be part of a bigger machine that wins games. We also have some nice depth to support this also.
In the first half I was saying to myself (and others) how the old AS11 was back and turning back into a turtle. How the line seems to have forgotten how to block. How receivers seem to not realize their job is to catch (aka receive) the ball. We seemed discombobulated, stunned, lethargic, off script, or lost in the memory of the previous week. Half 2? 180 degree difference.
Coming out of the half I saw a team with a different step. They were making the plays. They were delivering the blows at contact. And, despite another bonehead penalty from Kelce, he became Superman and took the team on his shoulders. He was NOT going to be denied that touchdown. Over, Under, Through, or Around, that ball was crossing the plane.
I am not sure why we let the Eagles hang around. Was it because we lost Eric Berry last week and hadn’t really solidified the backfield under fire? Was it conservative play calling? Was it big time victory hangover? Who knows? Who cares?
We are 2-0, baby! Enjoy the wins and pile them up.
If you look at the stats, they favor Philadelphia. More first downs, more plays, more yardage, more time of possession, and less penalties. However, one of the biggest stats favored us, turnovers. While all of those other stats favored the Eagles, they were close. But, when you give up the ball twice in a close game, that can be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
What do you guys think about their performance? Who do we see next week? Can we possibly see the KC AirRowhead Show? Or, cardiac kid version?
I still see a tremendous amount of upside for our team. We have some things to work out and work on. We are not anywhere near perfect, however this team has a strength and depth I don’t think I have seen for years. We have an opportunity to pull it all together and make a very solid run at and through the playoffs. This is a season of hope. This is a season of optimism. This is a season of grit. I feel these things more so than anytime in the last 10 years. Let’s hope we put together the puzzle pieces of the season and bring the Lombardi home.
Until next week, there’s The Rub!
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