The Kansas City Chiefs: Banishing Demons and Busting Ghosts!

The Kansas City Chiefs: Banishing

Demons and Busting Ghosts!

by David Bell | January 14, 2019

Not Perfect but Played Well

This AFC Divisional playoff game was not a perfectly played game by the Kansas City Chiefs, but it was their best all round game played on both sides of the ball. Sure, there were errors but, the Chiefs offense was dynamic in the first half. However, that was not so in the 2nd though they led 24-7 at the half. The Chiefs offense gave away 7 points to the Colts on a fumble in the end zone off of a blocked punt which was recovered by Colt’s Zach Pascal a for TD. After some less than stellar play-calling by HC Andy Reid, the Chiefs dynamicism returned on offense and they scored on a 90 yard drive culminating in a Patrick Mahomes rushing TD. Both RB Damien Williams and WR Tyreek Hill scored TS’ on the on ground in the first half as well. With a victory, the Kansas City Chief were banishing demons and busting ghosts!

The Colts had a late shot and drove the ball at will down the field with Bob Sutton employing a prevent style defense. The only thing they prevent in my view is the ability of a defense to prevent scoring… which is what appeared to happen. However, the Colts place kicker Adam Vinatieri missed a chip shot Field Goal attempt and the Chiefs led 24-13 with 5:31 to play in the 4th quarter. Two minutes and 23 seconds and 9 plays later UDFA rookie RB Darrel Williams scored from the 2 while being pushed into the end zone by Patrick Mahomes… and for all intents and purposes, the game was over. 

The Second Half

Neither team could do anything on offense in the third quarter. As the quarter ended the Chiefs ran a jet sweep to Sammy Watkins who then fumbled the ball away giving Andrew Luck another opportunity deep in Chiefs territory. Watching the replay: Watkins didn’t get firm possession of the ball and it was knocked loose. One comment made that I heard was, “Welcome back to NFL Football, Sammy.” It was an obvious reference to the fact that he has been missing in action since week 11 of the regular season.

The Colts were poised to get a drive underway near the Chiefs end zone but Dee Ford wasn’t having any of it. On a seven-step drop by Andrew Luck, Ford stripped the ball and the Chiefs recovered to end the play moments later for the 3^rd Quarter.

Both offenses were ineffective throughout the third quarter and you should allow the KC defense a lot of credit — they kept the Colts offense at bay for nearly the whole game, giving up only 6 points. Whatever was wrong with the offense in the 2nd half needs to be examined closely by Andy Reid and his staff.

Eleven Minutes and Counting

The Chiefs defense continued to make plays on the ball. After swapping possessions, the Chiefs again stopped the Colts with a good pass defense on a ball that should have been Intercepted. Eleven Minutes remained in the game: the Chiefs were forced to punt 3 times though the Colts could not take advantage of the Chiefs inept offense, something less than desired of such a powerhouse. On the other hand, the Colts, with Luck at the helm, had no real threat for all of the game.

As the game clock ran down, Colts RB  Marlon Mack had a 21-yard run in this stretch as HC Frank Reich, went to the ground game as the clock ran down past the 8-minute mark. The Chiefs were in the speed configuration with Daniel Sorensen as a LB. The Colts had 2 other good runs and then an an incompletion that was deflected and could have been intercepted. They had to go for it on 4th down and made the play.

The next play on the drive was a stop for a loss making it 3^rd down and 9 at the Kansas City 24. A pass was deflected — again — by Chris Jones forcing a 4^th down at the 6:04 mark. Trailing by 17, the Colts had to go for it and got a first down, followed by a TD and TY Hilton made the catch at the left front corner of the end zone, making the score 24-13. The extra point was missed to the right by Adam Vinatieri (who also missed wide left on the FG attempt in the 2nd quarter). The subsequent kick was as squib line drive, fielded by Tremon Smith and returned from Inside the 20 to the 40.

Reid returned to the ground and Damien Williams gained 4 and then a first down on the next snap at the Indianapolis 45. Williams for 3. The clock is ticking down to 3:51 with a Colts timeout. They had 2 Timeouts remaining at this point. On the next run, 2^nd and 7, Williams gained 4 more yards and went over the century mark on yards gained. The Colts used their second time out with 3:47 left and Reid went to a pass play that was incomplete at the 5, making it 4^th down on and 3. Colquitt had a great punt inside the 5. The Colts though ran into Colquitt earning a 5-yard penalty and a first down. The punt nullified.

From here, it was the Damien William’s ground show and on the next carry Williams ran the ball to the 7 followed by a run to the one-yard line where Darrel Williams was assisted by a push into the end zone by Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes. After the Point after, the Chiefs owned the win with a score of 31-13.

Andrew Luck drove the ball down field and there were two or three drops, incomplete passes and the clock wound down to end without the Colts being able to score.

A Demon Endings

The Chiefs, exorcised a demon and now advance to the AFC Championship game at Arrowhead against the New England Patriots.

Key to the Game: The Chiefs Defense!

The Key to the game against the Colts was how well the Chiefs Defense played the game. It was not stellar but darned close to it. They held an Indianapolis Colts to 2 scores and one of those was a defensive fumble recovery in the end zone. From start to finish the defense played well with two game balls which should be given to Dee Ford Chris Jones.

Some Important Game Numbers

• Chiefs Defense held the Colts to under 17.
• Chiefs offense scored 31.
• Chiefs defense held the Colts to 0 third down conversions.
• Chiefs defense sacked Luck 4 times (with a strip sack/fumble recovery by Ford).
• Luck was held to 203 yards, a TD; 19-of-36.
• Marlon Mack gained 46 yards on 9 carries.
• Patrick Mahomes had 278 yardsm 27-41 and rushing TD.
• Damien Williams rushed for 130 yards, 25 carries and 2-TD.
• Tyreek Hill rushed for a TD.
• Travis Kelce  had 7 catches for 108 yards.
• Justin Houston, Dee Ford and Derrick Nnadi had sacks.
• Chris Jones had 3 batted balls, Houston 1 and Ford at least 1. there were others that I missed.

David Bell – ArrowheadOne

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