Ten Things About Today's Game: Week 11
 

Ten Things About Today’s Game: Week 11

10. Been a rough week in the Blowfish household. We had one of our kitties pass away on Thursday, and my wife has been a mess about it. Yesterday I worked outside in the yard all day cleaning up the yard and getting the house ready for winter. Woke up around 6 AM, only to see a hard freeze and leaves falling like snow, re-covering the yard, erasing all of yesterday’s work. I put out the Chiefs Flag on the front porch, then headed over to meet up with a couple of my pals -Gary and Brad- at the Englewood Cafe for a quick breakfast before grabbing the wifey from church and heading out for Arrowhead. It felt like football weather. Sunny but cold, with a persistent wind out of the Northwest. I sit on the shady side of Arrowhead, so it can get chilly when the wind blows. At any rate, got in, parking was slow again. Went in Gate 6 on the far west side and ended up being parked in A6 down the Right Field line in front of Kauffman Stadium. Today we had pulled pork, jambalaya and pasta salad, and tailgating was brief because of the cold wind. On the player introductions, they brought Justin Houston out last, so the crowd could give him a big ovation. The crowd seems a little lackluster today, just not as into it as usual. There’s many reasons for that, mostly because of Jameis Penis and his persistent long hard drives. I wrote that sentence for Clay, because he’s into that kind of descriptive language.

9. This game looks close in the box score, and it was, sort of. Tampa Bay seemed to be the better offense. Jameis seemed to be the better QB. But when you look at the actual game stats, Alice Smiff and Jameis were actually pretty close in production, as weird as that seems. Passing: Jameis threw for 331 yards, averaged 8.5 yards per pass; threw for one TD and had one early first half turnover. Alice threw for 261 yards, averaged 8.4 yards per pass, threw a TD, ran for a TD and had one turnover - a killing, game flipping, fourth quarter turnover. Rushing? Martin had 63 yards, Ware had 69 yards, a wash. Receiving? Bucs best receiver Evans caught six for 105 yards and no TDs. Kelce caught 7 for 108 yards and no TDs. The difference was time of possession and number of plays run. Tampa Bay ran 74 freakin’ plays to KCs 52. They had the ball for 11 more minutes than KC. That’s almost a whole quarter of football more. That’s because the first six Tampa Bay drives ended on KC’s side of the field. The defense could not get the Bucs off the field all day long. More on that later. Alice had a chance to put KC up by five, and ended up throwing an awful, game crushing pick that ended up being a 14 point swing, and therein lies your ballgame.

8. I wanted to talk a bit about momentum, or the lack thereof. At the start of the game, KC gets the opening kickoff, marches straight down the field. Kelce catches an out pass that gets them down inside the red zone, tweaks an ankle and hobbles off the field. The next play, jet sweep to Hill who gets the ball to the four. First and goal from the four. What does Andy do? He sends Kelce back in, who had just hobbled off the field, and tries to run a sweep with him. They lose five yards. On second down, they throw a pass across the middle to Kelce to about the five yard line, it clangs off his hands. Third down, they throw a pass to Conley on a curl pattern to the four yard line. Fourth down they kick the field goal. So from first and goal at the four, the end up with fourth and goal on the four, and never throw the ball into the end zone ONCE. They get three instead of seven,and set the tone for the ballgame. KC is among the worst -if not THE worst- team in the NFL in red zone TD scoring. That series of plays was inexcusable.

7. Defense was awful at times, but if you give up less than 20 to the Bucs you should win that game. The key word today was “missed” in several senses of the word. Missed tackles. Missed players. Missed opportunities. I saw at least a half dozen missed tackles in the game that allowed for manageable third downs. DJ missed a couple. Wilson missed a couple. Nunez-Roches played a good game overall, but faded in the second half and started missing tackles. DJ may be wearing down now that we’re deep in the season and his age may be catching up to him. We had NO second half pass rush at all. Nothing from Poe, or Jones, or Houston, or Hali. Just nothing. And with no Peters and no pass rush, Jameis ate the secondary alive, and was money between the 20’s. Tampa Bay’s first six drives made it into KC territory. Bucs settled for four field goals, or this game would not have been as close as it was. Tampa Bay was 10 for 16 on third down, with most of KC’s third down stops coming in the fourth quarter. When push came to shove and the Chiefs needed a stop after burning two of their timeouts, they couldn’t get it. No pass rush, Tampa’s receivers were better than our D-Backs. Not enough time at the end, Bucs do a great job of clock management down the stretch, they win.

6. KC only got one turnover, which wasn’t really even forced. Jameis just lost the ball trying to pull it back. Parker dropped a pick in the first half that could have changed this game. Instead, Tampa got a field goal. That’s the kind of play Peters makes. With our main ball hawk out, nobody else in the secondary stepped up, and it showed. Nelson was a mixed bag. Gaines did nothing. Berry did nothing. Sorensen nothing. Somebody has to to step up to make a difference. It never happened.

5. Right before halftime, Dee Ford limped off the field and didn’t sit down. He looked down, never took his helmet off, and he bunny hopped to the stairs and disappeared. That was it for him. Looked like a quad or a hammy. West got his bell rung. If he’s out for Denver, that could be very bad. They also said Santos had a leg injury, although I didn’t see that happen towards the end of the game. Justin Houston had no effect at all, and he played some in the first quarter, was sidelined in most of the second, then was forced to play the second half after Ford went out. He did nothing more than Zombo, really. Didn’t seem to have any burst on pass rush. I don’t know what to think at this point, and whether we’ll eventually have kick ass Justin Houston, or old, step slow, run of the mill Zombo-esque Justin Houston. Hali did absolutely nothing today as well. I think he’s on fumes at this point.

4. Only decent special teams play was a downed punt at the four, but Tampa Bay marched right down the field like they did all day, so it made no difference. Hill and Davis could not get a return that mattered, so specials didn’t do a lot to help us win today. Special kudos to Winchester, who came back to work when he probably didn’t have to, and played very well. That kid is a gamer, and his team mates will have a new appreciation for him after what he’s been through this week.

3. What the Hell was Andy doing on our last possession? A four yard pass to Ware with 8 second left? Really? Really? You gotta send Hill deep, chuck it up and hope for a catch or PI, and hope to get into field goal range. What’s the point of that play? Might as well just kneel on the ball if you’re going to give up like that. The final hurry up TD drive wasn’t as bad as what they did in the playoffs vs. the Pats last year, but took WAAAY too long, especially the final three plays. Put the ball in the Goddamn end zone and conserve some clock. If KC has an extra 30 seconds at the end, you might have a chance for field goal range. Of course, the real killer play in the game was Alice’s pick. Down by two with 12 minutes left in the game, first and goal on the 10, Ware blasts ahead for four. Second and six, Alice tries to force the ball into a double covered Conley. Bucs return it to mid-field. Horrible throw. All I could do was shake my head and say, “Well, at least they tried to throw the ball into the end zone this time.” Tampa then drives for a TD, 14 point swing, and the ballgame. If Alice throws that ball away, worst case they take the field goal, take a one point lead, and their final TD before the two minute warning makes the Bucs have to score to win. But not to be.

2. Throws like that pick is why I’ve come to firmly believe that Alice has had his chance, and we’ll never get anywhere with him. I think he peaked last year getting us to the quarter finals against the Pats. Anytime he comes up against a playoff gunslinger, like Rapistburger or Brady, or Luck, he is going to lose. After that pick, he was moping around on the sidelines. Bad body language, not doing anything to try to fire up the offense or defense to get the ball back and win. I just think he is what he is, and he doesn’t have the juice for comeback wins. He did it ONE TIME against San Diego opening day, but that’s been it. If we’re behind, and the defense can’t score, we’re done. Alice is Grbac all over again. I’ve seen this movie before, sorry to say.

1. Well, that said, now we get a fun trip into Flexville to face a Donk Team who is 7-0 in prime time games over the past five years. Thanks for putting us on National TV, NBC. Really freakin’ appreciate that. I am not optimistic, but I am hopeful that they don’t piss themselves like they did against Pittsburgh. Today’s game may cost us a division, like losing to the Bears did last year. I don’t want to be Debbie Downer, but KC must get home playoff games to take it to the next level. With continued play like today, I don’t see it happening. I’m very disappointed with the effort in all phases.

Happy Thanksgiving to All. Don’t reward greedy retailers by shopping on Thanksgiving Day. Do it on Black Friday if you must. Remember the reason for the season, and share your money, time, food, whatever. It’s needed now more than ever.

first

Good write up once again

Very good job. As sad as it is, your best efforts are after losses. And totally agree with your last paragraph.

Hats off to Alex for setting this up.

That pick was crushing.

Yeah, Alex ****ing kills it setting up the punter for a good game.ROFL

8. I wanted to talk a bit about momentum, or the lack thereof. At the start of the game, KC gets the opening kickoff, marches straight down the field. Kelce catches an out pass that gets them down inside the red zone, tweaks an ankle and hobbles off the field. The next play, jet sweep to Hill who gets the ball to the four. First and goal from the four. What does Andy do? He sends Kelce back in, who had just hobbled off the field, and tries to run a sweep with him. They lose five yards. On second down, they throw a pass across the middle to Kelce to about the five yard line, it clangs off his hands. Third down, they throw a pass to Conley on a curl pattern to the four yard line. Fourth down they kick the field goal. So from first and goal at the four, the end up with four and goal on the four, and never throw the ball into the end zone ONCE. They get three instead of seven,and set the tone for the ballgame. KC is among the worst -if not THE worst- team in the NFL in red zone TD scoring. That series of plays was inexcusable.

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I remember first quarter Chiefs I think were on their own 40 and it was 3rd and two and the Chiefs lined up in the shotgun with Ware next to Alex and I turned to my son and said it's a draw play. Yep that's what it was and it went for a loss as the defense knocked that one back. Next play punt.

I was forced to miss the first half, but the situation you describe on the Kelce endaround is simply awful... then throw in the short pass with seconds left, the horrible timout and...

Reid really shit the bed today

Always a great read and look forward to it. I think the Chiefs are on track for an epic collapse. It just feels that way. It looks like Kelce is starting to show visible frustration frustration with Alex's play. Granted he dropped a TD today but something o have noticed. The offense has sputtered for what feels like much longer than just the last few games and there's little to no excuse for it with this roster. Idk why Alex tried to force that ball that ended in a pick. I wonder if he was desperate to improve and made a bad decision. Just not smart.


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If I remember right, that play helped set up a 58yd Culquitt punt that pinned TB at their own 13. So success.

Spot on.

Smith was mopey in his PC...no fire at all. Those head injuries might've been the final straw.

....and once again, the Chiefs find themselves in familiar territory. Good enough to break your heart. I'm sick of rebuilding every few years. It doesn't produce continuity and that always transfers to the field.

Good read George, they had to play their worst game of the year to lose that one, they stepped up and got er done.

Thanks Mr Blowfish I agree with all 10 points... seems like every opening drive Andy out thinks himself when he should just play basic smash you in the face football... By the way ...Happy Thanksgiving

It's games like this that make me not want to go to a game and have to grieve a four hour drive back home for a loss. If our offense had a little more zing and pop to it I'd want to go but it doesn't look like they can make it anymore exciting to make the trip worth it.

Always look forward to your 10 Things, George. Spot on as usual. Thanks!!!

Exactly, you can't expect to win if you give up 24 first downs (18 passing).

The game sucked. Glad I shut it off-again.

Sorry about your kitty, George. Even when you have a bunch of them, losing one hurts -- especially when it's a good one. That's the worst thing about pets -- you outlive most of them.

And a shitty Chiefs loss doesn't help either. But thanks for taking the time to roll out another good Top 10. Sundays aren't complete without Danny and Jack's postgame on 810 and your 10 things.

Maclin is the biggest reason for this drop off.

2015 we were ranked 12th in red zone TD %, this year Maclin's been injured and had some life stuff at the beginning of the year that he was off his game.


Not too late to turn things around

Good Read A+

28th overall maclin ain't gonna fix that.

Not that I think it is threaded between the defenders, but it did get tipped.

Weapons weapons everywhere...yet we look like shit on offense. If Alice is the solution, we're screwed. There are no more excuses. Yes, Maclin is hurting. But ****...that's not why we are inept on offense...it was nice to see a spark from West...but in the end, the QB can't make mistakes. Period. Shit...

That ball wasn't picked because it may have been tipped. It was picked because it was thrown into double coverage, and he stared the receiver down all the way. Just a bad play by Alice:

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As you noted the difference in the game was time of possession. This was fully due to the 11 of 16 3rd down conversion rate. Stop just a couple more of those attempts and get off the field and this is a different game.

IT NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN THROWN! ****!

Good write up George. I feel pretty much the exact same way.

Alex has peaked and his peak isn't good enough

This defense can't really stop anyone. They give up too many long drives. They only get stops on key turnovers. You can't always rely on a turnover. At some point you have to make key tackles or defend key passes

I think this team will make the playoffs again, but probably top out again after 1 win. Maybe.

Unless this offense improves, we will NOT win in the playoffs. PERIOD.

Score just a couple more points and this is a different game.

Agreed

yeah yeah...score the ****ing points...

Alex smith has been throwing wimpy wobble ducks with no confidence since he got hurt.

He's tough to cheer for right now.

Wonderful 10 things as always George and agree on all them.
I think behind the scenes Alex is under more pressure than we know and I really do believe he is losing the teams confidence in him. After the game last week after the game Alex walked right past Foles like he didnt exist and met up with Peters who shook hands but had a scowl on his face and seemed pissed then Foles came up to peters same. I dont think Peters has confidence in either.

Good read George.

I was working on my pivot this morning and I didn't get it done in time to not miss part of the game, I had it DVR'd but didn't think it was worth going back to watch.

My first thought when it was over, "welp, there goes winning the division." Then I thought, "WTF, one NFC game isn't going to make or break the season. Division games piss away playoff chances."

It's good to read that you are kind of on the same page. And I think if you take it out of the technical context and more into going into the playoffs hot context, it's pretty damning.

In terms of the season, the team is likely to lose some games down the stretch. And they've looked like dog balls in this game, The Pitt Game, and the Houston game. This team isn't good enough to overcome shitting the bed 3 times. That's 18.75% of the games, almost 20%. Maybe we don't win the pitt game, but this one and the Houston game are basically gimmies and out the door they go. They're going to drop some games, and really needed the easy ones. This is what separates us from the good teams. A team as limited as KC is needs to be consistent and we aren't. If our offense was better, we could overcome some inconsistency. Alas....

So moving forward we need to FIND some consistency and most likely offensive output while getting back to a defense that can stop somebody.

Looking at the division we must win the Chokeland game, and must have 1 of 2 against Donk (**** donk forever) while avoiding getting spoiled by the Dolts. As far as the Falcons and Tits go, it depends on where the other teams in division do. Ugh. That's a tough ask.

The tight in sweep was just so much a shitbird call and I hated it but I would have probably worked if we had not failed to block the guy who came free.

The throw into dbl coverage for the int was shit you see from rookies not a seasoned vet. just killed any momentum we had and Alex should have seen and known better but he locked onto one receiver didn't even bother to look off the safety looking to another guy and winged it right to a home field loss. then goes to sideline to mope to himself is very Grbac and Bonoish.

Personally, I think all the cute plays around the goal line are sending a bad message to the team. One of that we are not good enough to run it, so we have to try a run trickery.

Two years ago, it was an automatic TD when we were down there. Charles converted damn near every one of them. No TD's for the WR's that year, but we lined up at scored TD's when we had 1st and goal.

Ware is capable. more than....

Yep!

Which is why it's so damn frustrating.

Good write up George, as usual.

They over looked them.

Great write up GB....
Completely agreed about Alice....We have seen his best.....Its only downhill from now on....Time to flush the turd.

I knew where this game was going from that Kelce sweep. Why oh why can't they call simple football plays at the goaline.

It's only a game.

Spot on as always. From the stats it seems like TB out chiefed the chiefs.

Killer plays - drop by Kelce, sweep by Kelce (FU Andy), Alex's INT. A team like ours has to execute on all those plays or they lose... which they did

Stop play calls like the sweep to Kelce or the Rd Zone Calls (First Drive).

Exactly. It was a terrible call, but to call it right after Kelce limped off the field was pretty ****ing reeruned even for Reid...:shake:

Yep . Wonder how long it takes them to figure it out?

Great job George.

Can't agree enough about the pass rush being weak. More than anything those guys are why "3rd and it doesn't matter" is a thing for other offenses.

Agree that Alex is done. I hate that but it's true, he's only trying to milk this team for as long as he can now.

Using TK for those two plays after he gimped off was about as Andy as you'll ever see.

You're in here I think...

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True, but losing to not good NFC teams at home does matter and can come back to haunt you in a division quest. The Bears game sure did last year. This one will too.

This. A&A aren't the answer.

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I agree with your second point about momentum.

How many times under Andy Reid/Alex Smith have we seen the offense look good for a short while and then one bad thing or negative play happens and it seemingly takes the offense forever to regain momentum or rhythm?

Seems ironic for a team that prides itself on not panicking over adversity and being resilient.

We had a shot at a 52/53 yard field goal at one point and elected to punt. Colquitt hit a beauty and we pinned them down at their own 2 yard line. But it wasn't long before they were at midfield. Not sure why we didn't attempt the 3 points. Santos has been pretty money for us this year. Wind maybe?

TB was faced with the same thing right before the quarter expired. When the 4th started, they elected to punt. The announcers were saying the wind was the deciding factor.

Tampa Bay is 7-5 lifetime against KC, including beating us five straight times. Last time we beat them was in Tampa in 1993, Joe Montana's first regular season game as a Chief. For some reason, they just have our number.

Last year KC did poorly against the NFC North. We lost to the Vikes and the Pack on the road, and Bears at home. Only NFC North team we beat was the Lions in London. Those three losses meant KC was a road team in the playoffs.

Hopefully we'll take care of business against Atlanta, the last NFC South team left on the schedule.

Yes, I'm in that mass of pissed off humanity.

I'm sitting back in my seat with my arm around my wifey, as I am want to do. But I've pointed out the location where I sit.

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