Si.COM-Bettis: Don't get too excited about the Chiefs

[shitgoose]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...?xid=cbssports


Don't get too excited about the Chiefs. I still think they're a work in progress. Look, they won because of a special teams touchdown, a long run from Jamaal Charles and San Diego turnovers. Offensively, they still have a ways to go. The weather at Arrowhead was a factor, but at the end of the day they just didn't look that great. They're going to be better than last year, but probably just an 8-8 football team.

Don't get me wrong. I think their offense could one day be very explosive. I'm looking forward to seeing how Charlie Weis is going to use Dexter McCluster. Seeing how dynamic he was on that 94-yard punt return, you have to wonder how they're going to get this young guy the ball when they also have Charles, Thomas Jones and Dwayne Bowe as prime targets. The only question is if Matt Cassel can play well. We still haven't seen the Patriots' Cassel since he arrived in Kansas City.

As for the AFC West, it's still San Diego's division to lose. But Monday gave us a glimpse that they're not runaway favorites. The other three teams are getting closer, even Oakland. A key for the Chargers' hopes is rookie running back Ryan Mathews. He ran well in his debut (despite the 3.9 yards per carry), but he's got to protect the ball better in traffic. Many times rookies have to learn the hard way, and that fumble certainly cost his team.
They definitely miss Vincent Jackson as a deep threat. When you look at that game, they didn't go vertical down the field an awful lot until late in the game, when Antonio Gates was being blanketed by two and three defenders. Philip Rivers hit Legedu Naanee a few times, but usually they go for more home runs when Vincent Jackson is in there. I didn't see a lot of that Monday night.

[Thig Lyfe]

Fair enough.

[kysirsoze]

I'm excited and I don't see us winning 8. When your team is this bad, for this long, just being competitive is something to get excited about.

[HC_Chief]

Originally Posted by Buzz

I'll be exicted with 8-8.

+1

[Rain Man]

I loved the punt return, but the casual fans should have been more impressed with Arenas and Charles. What gives?

[Bane]

Several shitty seasons,and we win the home opener out of the blue.....Fair enough.

[vailpass]

I'd rather have people telling me not to get too excited about my team than telling me not to get too down on my team.

[stevieray]

oh..ok..since jerome says so...

[DonTellMeShowMe]

8-8 would be legit

[beer bacon]

So we won because of special teams, a good rushing attack, and forced turnovers. Yes, that is how you win in the game of football.

[RealSNR]

Translation: This could be a potent offense even with Damon ****ing Huard. Unfortunately, they have a jittery noodle arm who can't hit the broad side of a barn

[Garcia Bronco]

I don't know what he saw, but I saw a defense that can keep a team in a game and the Special Teams play was awesome. Yeah it might be 8-8, but a good 8-8.

[CaliforniaChief]

I thought it was a great write-up.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by SNR

Translation: This could be a potent offense even with Damon ****ing Huard. Unfortunately, they have a jittery noodle arm who can't hit the broad side of a barn

Hootie just jizzed himself.

[beer bacon]

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

I don't know what he saw, but I saw a defense that can keep a team in a game and the Special Teams play was awesome. Yeah it might be 8-8, but a good 8-8.

The defense forced San Diego into nine consecutive scoreless drives of five plays or less. They wore down at the end, but that scoreless stretch in the middle is what won us the game.