Tribal Warfare
09-14-2010, 12:31 AM
Chiefs open with 21-14 win over San Diego (http://www.kansascity.com/2010/09/13/2221464/chiefs-splash-their-way-to-21.html)
By RANDY COVITZ
The Kansas City Star
The Chiefs didn’t let a driving rainstorm ruin their season opener and christening of the renovated Arrowhead Stadium on Monday night.
Taking advantage of some big plays by the offense, defense and special teams, plus a goal-line stand in the final minute, the Chiefs surprised the four-time defending AFC West champion San Diego Chargers 21-14 in the first nationally televised Monday night game in Kansas City since 2004.
The victory, in front of an announced crowd of 71,297, snapped the Chiefs’ five-game losing streak to the Chargers, who had won in their last three trips to Arrowhead, and elevated the Chiefs into first place in the AFC West ahead of the Oakland Raiders, Denver Broncos, and the Chargers.
The first big offensive play was delivered by Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles, who bolted 56 yards for a game-tying touchdown with 37 seconds left in the first quarter.
The defense then delivered when linebacker Derrick Johnson stripped the ball from San Diego rookie running back Ryan Mathews in the second quarter. Cornerback Brandon Carr returned the fumble 23 yards to the San Diego 12. That set up a 2-yard touchdown flip from quarterback Matt Cassel to rookie tight end Tony Moeaki off a spending play-action fake to Thomas Jones with 5:55 left in the half.
The special teams chimed in several times, capped by rookie running back Dexter McCluster, who electrified the rain-soaked crowd with a 94-yard punt return -- the longest in franchise history -- for a 21-7 halftime lead with 1:43 to play in the half.
The Chargers got back in the game late in the third quarter by capitalizing on a breakdown in the Chiefs secondary when wide receiver Legedu Naanee ran 20 yards behind busted coverage of rookie safeties Eric Berry and Kendrick Lewis and hauled in a 59-yard pass from quarterback Philip Rivers, making it 21-14 with 2:23 left in the third quarter.
San Diego threatened to tie it midway through the fourth quarter, but Carr broke up a third-and-nine pass from the 39 intended for Malcolm Floyd. The Chargers went for it on fourth down, and Rivers’ pass sailed through the hands of Naanee with 7:03 to play in regulation.
The Chiefs were unable to run much clock, going three-and-out, and punted the Chargers to their 33 with 4:54 left.
This time the Chargers marched from their 33 to the Chiefs 4. But Carr broke up a pass intended for Floyd; Glenn Dorsey dropped Darren Sproles for a two-yard loss; and then on third and fourth downs, Rivers overshot Floyd.
Charles, on just his second carry of the game, burst over left guard and zipped 56 yards for a touchdown, making it 7-7 with 37 seconds left in the first quarter.
Charles ran past the outstretched arms of San Diego linebacker Kevin Burnett, and once he got into the Chargers secondary, Charles turned around safety Eric Weddle with a nifty move to the end zone. After Charles matched the second-longest run of his career, he got a hearty pat on the back from head coach Todd Haley on the sidelines.
The Chiefs wasted a golden opportunity to take the lead after forcing the Chargers to punt from deep in their territory. Rookie return man Javier Arenas, with a lot of room in front of him, zipped 36 yards, only to be brought down with a shoe-top tackle by punter Mike Scifres at the San Diego 32.
After Jones gained six yards on first down to the 26, he was stopped for no gain. Then, Charles was dropped for a six-yard loss to the 32 on a draw play. With the rain pelting down, and the Chiefs going against a gusty wind, they elected to punt and pin the Chargers inside their 10. But Dustin Colquitt shanked a 7-yard punt to the 25.
The Chargers took a 7-0 lead with a 3-yard flip from Rivers to Gates with 1:52 left in the first quarter. Gates produced the key play on the 60-yard scoring drive when he worked his way to an open seam in the Chiefs defense and caught a pass for 34 yards on a third-and-three from the Kansas City 39.
On third and goal from the 3, Gates slipped past rookie safety Eric Berry and caught his 12th career touchdown against the Chiefs.
The Chargers were playing without three key members of their team -- offensive tackle Marcus McNeil, who is holding out; wide receiver Vincent Jackson, who is not only holding out but would have been serving the first of a four-game suspension; and outside linebacker Shawne "roidman" Merriman, who is injured.
By RANDY COVITZ
The Kansas City Star
The Chiefs didn’t let a driving rainstorm ruin their season opener and christening of the renovated Arrowhead Stadium on Monday night.
Taking advantage of some big plays by the offense, defense and special teams, plus a goal-line stand in the final minute, the Chiefs surprised the four-time defending AFC West champion San Diego Chargers 21-14 in the first nationally televised Monday night game in Kansas City since 2004.
The victory, in front of an announced crowd of 71,297, snapped the Chiefs’ five-game losing streak to the Chargers, who had won in their last three trips to Arrowhead, and elevated the Chiefs into first place in the AFC West ahead of the Oakland Raiders, Denver Broncos, and the Chargers.
The first big offensive play was delivered by Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles, who bolted 56 yards for a game-tying touchdown with 37 seconds left in the first quarter.
The defense then delivered when linebacker Derrick Johnson stripped the ball from San Diego rookie running back Ryan Mathews in the second quarter. Cornerback Brandon Carr returned the fumble 23 yards to the San Diego 12. That set up a 2-yard touchdown flip from quarterback Matt Cassel to rookie tight end Tony Moeaki off a spending play-action fake to Thomas Jones with 5:55 left in the half.
The special teams chimed in several times, capped by rookie running back Dexter McCluster, who electrified the rain-soaked crowd with a 94-yard punt return -- the longest in franchise history -- for a 21-7 halftime lead with 1:43 to play in the half.
The Chargers got back in the game late in the third quarter by capitalizing on a breakdown in the Chiefs secondary when wide receiver Legedu Naanee ran 20 yards behind busted coverage of rookie safeties Eric Berry and Kendrick Lewis and hauled in a 59-yard pass from quarterback Philip Rivers, making it 21-14 with 2:23 left in the third quarter.
San Diego threatened to tie it midway through the fourth quarter, but Carr broke up a third-and-nine pass from the 39 intended for Malcolm Floyd. The Chargers went for it on fourth down, and Rivers’ pass sailed through the hands of Naanee with 7:03 to play in regulation.
The Chiefs were unable to run much clock, going three-and-out, and punted the Chargers to their 33 with 4:54 left.
This time the Chargers marched from their 33 to the Chiefs 4. But Carr broke up a pass intended for Floyd; Glenn Dorsey dropped Darren Sproles for a two-yard loss; and then on third and fourth downs, Rivers overshot Floyd.
Charles, on just his second carry of the game, burst over left guard and zipped 56 yards for a touchdown, making it 7-7 with 37 seconds left in the first quarter.
Charles ran past the outstretched arms of San Diego linebacker Kevin Burnett, and once he got into the Chargers secondary, Charles turned around safety Eric Weddle with a nifty move to the end zone. After Charles matched the second-longest run of his career, he got a hearty pat on the back from head coach Todd Haley on the sidelines.
The Chiefs wasted a golden opportunity to take the lead after forcing the Chargers to punt from deep in their territory. Rookie return man Javier Arenas, with a lot of room in front of him, zipped 36 yards, only to be brought down with a shoe-top tackle by punter Mike Scifres at the San Diego 32.
After Jones gained six yards on first down to the 26, he was stopped for no gain. Then, Charles was dropped for a six-yard loss to the 32 on a draw play. With the rain pelting down, and the Chiefs going against a gusty wind, they elected to punt and pin the Chargers inside their 10. But Dustin Colquitt shanked a 7-yard punt to the 25.
The Chargers took a 7-0 lead with a 3-yard flip from Rivers to Gates with 1:52 left in the first quarter. Gates produced the key play on the 60-yard scoring drive when he worked his way to an open seam in the Chiefs defense and caught a pass for 34 yards on a third-and-three from the Kansas City 39.
On third and goal from the 3, Gates slipped past rookie safety Eric Berry and caught his 12th career touchdown against the Chiefs.
The Chargers were playing without three key members of their team -- offensive tackle Marcus McNeil, who is holding out; wide receiver Vincent Jackson, who is not only holding out but would have been serving the first of a four-game suspension; and outside linebacker Shawne "roidman" Merriman, who is injured.