Sorry for the delay - Sunday night games are difficult to get these written because of Monday mornings.
First and foremost hats off to the Buffalo Bills for a very tough fight in the game. Josh Allen is an incredible talent, however, I think that Buffalo coaches suffer from Marty Schottenheimer disease. When the going gets tough they revert back to what is comfortable rather than what is working. Cook was having successful runs and they got away from it (13 rushes for 85 yards and 2 TDs). More on this later.
The first drive of the game really set the tone for the game. 2 quick passes to Hollywood for18 yards. The third play Caliendo pulls all the way from LG to block the LDE that was being engaged by Noah Grey who releases into coverage, Pat eventually runs for the first down. Then a roll out to the left for a 10 yard first down pass to Worthy, a 3 yard run by Pacheco and then...
Juju Smith-Schuster a 31 yard catch and run to put us just outside the red zone. This is what JJSS is on this team for, in addition to being a big bodied WR that can block for the smaller WRs downfield as well as catch those soft zone spots like Kelce over the middle. Even at his reduced production I would welcome him back to continue to be that WR for the Chiefs.
Kareem Hunt makes his first appearance with 3 consecutive runs a beautiful 8 yard run that he almost housed if the Buffalo safety doesn't make a TD saving tackle, a 3 yard first down run and the 12 yard TD run.
Every play on that drive was a positive momentum building, high percentage play. 9 plays for 90 yards and only 3 were less than 5 yards gained.
Xavier Worthy has really come together and is becoming an excellent WR for the Chiefs. I really feel that the addition of Dhop has really helped the development of Worthy. I can't wait to see a Rice/Worthy/Brown WR lineup.
The contested catch is really a beautiful thing to see. Many people are arguing it was not a catch because he only had one hand on the ball (If a pass is caught simultaneously by two eligible opponents, and both players retain it, the ball belongs to the passers.) or that the ball hit the ground (no movement). It clearly was a catch and will only help cement Worthy as a tremendous first round pick.
As amazing as Mahomes and the offense were this game, we really need to give a ton of credit to the defense. Stopping the Bills twice on two point conversions, and two critical 4th downs is really the story of this game. I know the 4th and 1 QB sneak stop is controversial but the picture below really shows how Allen never got to the line of gain. Why they wouldn't continue to hand the ball to Cook who averaged 6.5 YPC is beyond me. As a Chiefs fan I love that they went conservative as a football fan I am perplexed.
There are many good and great players on this team that make key contributions, we are extremely fortunate to have the talent and the coaching to maximize that talent on this team. I never in a million years thought that I would be able to see the greatness I am seeing today out of the Kansas City Chiefs. Growing up in Broncos country during the John Elway years was painful to say the least.
Finally, to see Chris Jones break down in tears on the sideline at the end of the game really shows how much he cares about this team and that he leaves it all on the field. There is no doubt in my mind that bringing Jones back was the best decision Veach has made regarding keeping a player or letting them walk. I don't think words can describe what he means for this defense and the team as a leader.
On to the Super Bowl and a re-match with the Eagles - Barkley is going to be a really difficult test for us and I look forward to seeing the Chiefs rise to the challenge. [Reply]
Originally Posted by jjchieffan:
One thing that I haven't been seeing talked about is the Chiefs stops on 3rd down. I can't find the stat anywhere, but it had to be really good considering that the Bills went for it on an incredible 6 4th down tries. I don't think that Dan Campbell has gone for it 6 times in a single game. But regardless, that was 6 times that we stopped them on 3rd down. Of course, they went on to convert 4/6 of those. But most of the time, the majority of those would have been punts. The success of the defense on 3rd down won't get the attention that it deserves because of the 4th down attempts. But the defense really came up big.
3rd & 6 at BUF 34 (14:17 - 1st) J.Allen pass incomplete (Punt)
3rd & 1 at KC 42 (6:24 - 1st) J.Allen left guard to KC 40 for 2 yards (1st)
3rd & 9 at KC 39 (4:34 - 1st) J.Allen pass short right for 4 yards (Punt)
3rd & 9 at KC 37 (12:46 - 2nd) J.Allen pass short for 10 yards (1st)
3rd & 13 at KC 30 (10:53 - 2nd) J.Allen pass deep for 24 yards (1st)
3rd & 10 at BUF 30 (4:02 - 2nd) J.Allen pass incomplete deep (Punt)
3rd & 3 at KC 35 (7:08 - 3rd) J.Allen left guard to KC 33 for 2 yards (4th)
4th & 1 at KC 33 (6:28 - 3rd) J.Allen right end to KC 30 for 3 yards (1st)
3rd & Goal at KC 1 (3:37 - 3rd) J.Allen left guard to KC 1 for no gain (4th)
4th & Goal at KC 1 (2:56 - 3rd) J.Cook right end for 1 yard (TD)
3rd & 1 at BUF 48 (0:28 - 3rd) J.Allen up the middle to BUF 48 for no gain (4th)
4th & 1 at BUF 48 (15:00 - 4th) J.Allen up the middle to 50 for 2 yards (1st)
3rd & 3 at KC 43 (13:21 - 4th) J.Allen pass short right for 2 yards (4th)
4th & 1 at KC 41 (13:01 - 4th) J.Allen left guard to KC 41 for no gain (TOD)
3rd & 8 at KC 36 (7:38 - 4th) J.Allen pass deep middle for 32 yards (1st)
3rd & Goal at KC 4 (6:23 - 4th) J.Allen pass incomplete short right (4th)
4th & Goal at KC 4 (6:15 - 4th) J.Allen pass short right to for 4 yards (TD)
3rd & 10 at BUF 42 (2:17 - 4th) J.Allen pass short right for 5 yards (4th)
4th & 5 at BUF 47 (2:00 - 4th) J.Allen pass incomplete deep right (TOD)
13 - 3rd down plays - 3 punts, Four 1st downs, Six 4th downs (30% Suceess rate)
6 - 4th down plays - 2 TDs, 2 TODs, two 1st Downs (66% Success rate) [Reply]
Worthy posterizing fools with a one handed deep shot was the play of the game
He Mossed up and took it all the way to the ground with two defenders draped all over him with just one skinny arm... can't wait to see what else he's capable of [Reply]
You mentioned you were excited to see the Rice/Worthy/Hollywood combo. I think Reid and that staff are salivating at that thought as well. At this point, unless Hollywood goes off in the Super Bowl, you have to think he will be back on a similar one year deal. I personally think that group of pass catchers could rival the best group Mahomes has ever had (prime Kelce, Hill, Watkins, Conley). Rice was playing like an all-pro prior to the injury and I personally could not be higher on the upside Worthy possesses. I think everyone would welcome back Juju/DHop/Watson with open arms as well.
In regards to Worthy, similar to Tyreek, he makes NFL defensive backs look slow. The guy is only 21 years old.
You are starting to see Reid cant get the ball in his hands enough. When we made the trade up for him I literally jumped off my couch for a massive air pump. Genuinely think he has HOF potential. Looks like Mahomes may have his stalwarts Reggie Wayne/Marvin Harrison in Rice/Worthy for the majority of the second half of his career. [Reply]
Originally Posted by ForeverIowan:
You mentioned you were excited to see the Rice/Worthy/Hollywood combo. I think Reid and that staff are salivating at that thought as well. At this point, unless Hollywood goes off in the Super Bowl, you have to think he will be back on a similar one year deal. I personally think that group of pass catchers could rival the best group Mahomes has ever had (prime Kelce, Hill, Watkins, Conley). Rice was playing like an all-pro prior to the injury and I personally could not be higher on the upside Worthy possesses. I think everyone would welcome back Juju/DHop/Watson with open arms as well.
In regards to Worthy, similar to Tyreek, he makes NFL defensive backs look slow. The guy is only 21 years old.
You are starting to see Reid cant get the ball in his hands enough. When we made the trade up for him I literally jumped off my couch for a massive air pump. Genuinely think he has HOF potential. Looks like Mahomes may have his stalwarts Reggie Wayne/Marvin Harrison in Rice/Worthy for the majority of the second half of his career.
I could see Dhop and maybe Juju if he doesn't call it a career. Watson really hasn't done much this year and there are others in the wings like Montrell Washington and Niko Remigio. [Reply]
Originally Posted by DenverChief:
I could see Dhop and maybe Juju if he doesn't call it a career. Watson really hasn't done much this year and there are others in the wings like Montrell Washington and Niko Remigio.
Agreed I wouldn't hate a little more upside at that WR6, WR7 slot. I will never forget that AFCCG against the Bengals though when we were down to practice squad receivers. Something to be said about having a veteran in that position that has been working w Mahomes for years. [Reply]
Originally Posted by el borracho:
Remigio is 5'9" and ran a 4.63. He's been great on returns but I doubt he plays a significant part of the Chiefs future plans.
Sure looks a lot faster on those kick returns than 4.63 - that’s Mahomes speed. [Reply]
Originally Posted by DenverChief:
3rd & 6 at BUF 34 (14:17 - 1st) J.Allen pass incomplete (Punt)
3rd & 1 at KC 42 (6:24 - 1st) J.Allen left guard to KC 40 for 2 yards (1st)
3rd & 9 at KC 39 (4:34 - 1st) J.Allen pass short right for 4 yards (Punt)
3rd & 9 at KC 37 (12:46 - 2nd) J.Allen pass short for 10 yards (1st)
3rd & 13 at KC 30 (10:53 - 2nd) J.Allen pass deep for 24 yards (1st)
3rd & 10 at BUF 30 (4:02 - 2nd) J.Allen pass incomplete deep (Punt)
3rd & 3 at KC 35 (7:08 - 3rd) J.Allen left guard to KC 33 for 2 yards (4th)
4th & 1 at KC 33 (6:28 - 3rd) J.Allen right end to KC 30 for 3 yards (1st)
3rd & Goal at KC 1 (3:37 - 3rd) J.Allen left guard to KC 1 for no gain (4th)
4th & Goal at KC 1 (2:56 - 3rd) J.Cook right end for 1 yard (TD)
3rd & 1 at BUF 48 (0:28 - 3rd) J.Allen up the middle to BUF 48 for no gain (4th)
4th & 1 at BUF 48 (15:00 - 4th) J.Allen up the middle to 50 for 2 yards (1st)
3rd & 3 at KC 43 (13:21 - 4th) J.Allen pass short right for 2 yards (4th)
4th & 1 at KC 41 (13:01 - 4th) J.Allen left guard to KC 41 for no gain (TOD)
3rd & 8 at KC 36 (7:38 - 4th) J.Allen pass deep middle for 32 yards (1st)
3rd & Goal at KC 4 (6:23 - 4th) J.Allen pass incomplete short right (4th)
4th & Goal at KC 4 (6:15 - 4th) J.Allen pass short right to for 4 yards (TD)
3rd & 10 at BUF 42 (2:17 - 4th) J.Allen pass short right for 5 yards (4th)
4th & 5 at BUF 47 (2:00 - 4th) J.Allen pass incomplete deep right (TOD)
13 - 3rd down plays - 3 punts, Four 1st downs, Six 4th downs (30% Suceess rate)
6 - 4th down plays - 2 TDs, 2 TODs, two 1st Downs (66% Success rate)
Thank you for compiling all of that. Wow! Very impressive. 4/13 on 3rd down with Josh Allen at QB is very impressive. They really had no choice other than to keep going for it on 4th down. It would have been a blowout otherwise. [Reply]
Caliendo pulling all the way across the formation - don't think I have ever seen that before.
Trey did it similarly I think it was the Houston game. I had to rewind it because I was like WTF is that giant red streak? Seems like a good way to miss and get Mahomes killed but it won't lie, if I'm a sub-200 lb DB and Smith or Calliendo is taking a run at me, I gotta admit, I might change my approach. [Reply]
Originally Posted by jjchieffan:
One thing that I haven't been seeing talked about is the Chiefs stops on 3rd down. I can't find the stat anywhere, but it had to be really good considering that the Bills went for it on an incredible 6 4th down tries. I don't think that Dan Campbell has gone for it 6 times in a single game. But regardless, that was 6 times that we stopped them on 3rd down. Of course, they went on to convert 4/6 of those. But most of the time, the majority of those would have been punts. The success of the defense on 3rd down won't get the attention that it deserves because of the 4th down attempts. But the defense really came up big.
They defended third down well in the 2nd half because Buffalo was trying to run the ball. Buffalo converted a handful of third and longs though and that was mildly concerning. [Reply]
Originally Posted by htismaqe:
They defended third down well in the 2nd half because Buffalo was trying to run the ball. Buffalo converted a handful of third and longs though and that was mildly concerning.
That ultimately was how I felt the Bills got back into the game.
We needed to get them into as many 3rd and long situations as possible and stop them there to get off the field. We had those opportunities up 21-10 and 21-16, but didn't capitalize. If we stop them maybe 1 or 2 more times on 3rd and long, we could've won by 7 or more. Instead it turned into a nail biter.
But then again... it is Josh Allen. You have to acknowledge you're playing against a great QB sometimes, they're great for a reason. [Reply]