Cards @ Arrowhead Primer
 

Arizona is at or near the bottom of the league in most offensive and defensive stats. The Chiefs should win this one walking away, but stats obviously didn’t make a difference in Denver last week. Stats didn’t matter when the lowly Bills took the Chiefs into OT at Arrowhead. But I posted them anyway for analytical context.

AZ (3-6) – W: STL, OAK, NO ...............L: ATL, SD, SEA, TB, MIN, SEA
KC (5-3) – W: SD, CLE, SF, JAX, BUF.....L: INDY, HOU, OAK, DEN

AZ Score O – 19 ppg (23) vs KC Score D – 22 ppg (15)
AZ Rush O – 83 ypg (29) vs KC Rush D – 104 ypg (13)
AZ Pass O – 181 ypg (30) vs KC Pass D – 240 ypg (22)

KC Score O – 24 ppg (12) vs AZ Score D – 29 ppg (32)
KC Rush O – 165 ypg (1) vs AZ Rush D – 132 ypg (28)
KC Pass O – 198 ypg (26) vs AZ Pass D – 269 ypg (27)

Turnovers: AZ (-8) vs KC (+5)… yes, the Cards cough up the ball ALOT

Homefield: CHIEFS
Oakland established the recipe for slowing the Chiefs offense, and Denver validated it. Now that everyone (especially Haley, Weis, and Cassel) knows that the Cards will stack the box, I expect them to have a game-plan to counter it.

The Cards have had a pretty tough schedule, and are by no means a suck team. Hightower is averaging 4.8 ypc. Although the Cards are 30th in the league in passing yards, Fitzgerald and Breaston are a dangerous receiving duo. Stephens-Howling is a downright lethal returner; the Chiefs coverage unit had better stay disciplined on KOs.

Again… McCluster is the unknown variable. If he suits up, I expect the Chiefs to win BIG based simply off the fact that the Cards defense has to put someone on him, facilitating our run game and play-action. If he’s out again, methinks this will be a close game.

The F7 has to put Anderson on his ass every other play, or our secondary will make him actually look good. Since I expect Hali and the boys to be in Anderson’s face a lot, I’m predicting at least two picks, especially if Arrowwood is LOUD. Kendrick Lewis returning is huge for the secondary. Moeaki’s status doesn’t look too good, so Pope is gonna have to step it up. I’m confident Asomoah is up to the challenge of replacing Waters at LG.

This non-divisional game has turned into a critical point for the Chiefs. After shooting themselves in the crotch for the last three weeks, and especially after getting embarrassed/humiliated at Pile High, I expect this team to redeem itself. But if the Chiefs somehow manage to crap their helmets yet again, they will have truly mailed in the season, and we can start the annual “losing for draft picks” debate.

The fact that we have really pushed the passing game the last two weeks; either because we were forced to, or because we were trying to outthink ourselves; makes me wonder if the goal was to set up the running game over the next few weeks as cold weather starts to set in?:shrug:

I just hope to Gawd we have something set up should they stack 8-9 or 11 in the box. Cassel showed some stats but that was against a very opened up and prevent defense in Denver. If we are still in the game I still don't have faith that Cassel can pull it out with a clutch win in the fourth. Here's to hoping we are up by two or three scores in the fourth.

This chatter of how Cassel isn't the problem is BS. HE couldn't get a first down the whole first half against the Broncos. (dead horse officially beaten)

We haven't set up anything by flailing around with our dicks out in the passing game.

Teams still see the Chiefs as a running team and will prepare for them that way.

No one fears Cassel.

The bad thing about this game is we are going to cream the Cardinals and everyone will be back on the bandwagon. We're set up for major disappointment down the stretch.

Who else besides Nick Athan said Cassel isn't a problem?

Now I understand the chances would be VERY bad for a division title if we lose this week, but you can't really start that debate when we're still tied for 1st place (assuming PIT beats OAK). But yeah, we better ****ing win.

I fear a gimpy Cassel IR'd after 469 yd 4 TD performace
the week before -losing/garbage time will be forgotten

How's that?

Nothing like being in first place in Week 11 and then missing the playoffs.

I don't know man. We might back into the AFC West crown.

We lost to a 2-6 team.

I know, but this year is so ****ing weird. Nothing has felt right since week 1.

Yea, and the giants lost to a 1-7 team. Obviously they aren't super bowl contenders.

The Giants have the #1 defense and #2 offense.

I have a feeling they'll be OK.

My point is that your body of evidence is anecdotal and lacking.