Cards @ Arrowhead Primer

[Warrior5]

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.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by Nightfyre

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

We almost lost to the Bills.

We're frauds.

[Nightfyre]

Originally Posted by Gif Horse

We almost lost to the Bills.

We're frauds.

And we were a QB away from beating Ind, Hou, and Oak. You could even argue Den. We beat Cle and SD. We play teams close and we could just as easily be 7-1 or 1-7 at this point. But the level of our competition has been a non-factor in our performances to date.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Originally Posted by Nightfyre

And we were a QB away from beating Ind, Hou, and Oak. You could even argue Den. We beat Cle and SD. We play teams close and we could just as easily be 7-1 or 1-7 at this point. But the level of our competition has been a non-factor in our performances to date.

Oh, bullshit. I would say this is getting reeruned, but we've reached that loooong ago.

[Nightfyre]

Originally Posted by PGM

Oh, bullshit. I would say this is getting reeruned, but we've reached that loooong ago.

If you say so. Matt Cassel's inability to perform was secondary only to the defense's inability to stop Denver in why we fell behind. But you can't tell me Denver's defensive game plan and our inability to move the ball didn't have anything to do with Cassel's ineptitude.

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by Nightfyre

If you say so. Matt Cassel's inability to perform was secondary only to the defense's inability to stop Denver in why we fell behind. But you can't tell me Denver's defensive game plan and our inability to move the ball didn't have anything to do with Cassel's ineptitude.

Cassel single handedly killed the first 4 drives. I dont see how you can say it didn't.

[Nightfyre]

Originally Posted by jd1020

Cassel single handedly killed the first 4 drives. I dont see how you can say it didn't.

Oh I'm saying he did. It's hard for the defense to be effective when they are on the field the whole game, as well.

[CaliforniaChief]

I really don't think there's any way to spin the Denver loss as anything other than a blowout. We didn't have a chance from the opening kickoff.