The Browns had the lead at halftime, scoring on a 98-yard drive and a big play over the top to Cribbs. The Chiefs' only touchdown was a pick six by Brandon Flowers. But Succop was 3/3 on field goals and the Chiefs defense had a shutout in the second half to win.
Here's a look at the Browns' possessions in the second half:
6 and out, punting from KC 44
8 and out, punting from CLE 32
5 and out, punting from CLE 43
3 and out, punting from CLE 8
So what does this tell us? Only 4 times with the ball, means the Chiefs were sustaining drives, running the clock out. The Chiefs offense & punter won the field position battle, giving the defense room to make a stop without giving up a field goal. And the Chiefs defense was good enough to hold them when it mattered. (It didn't help the Browns to get some holding penalties either.)
But hey, it's a road win. The Chiefs are 2-0 in close games. Two weeks in a row the defense has held on to win the game. And I would gladly take a team that is built on a great defense, has playmakers on special teams, and has a competent, game-managing offense. Unfortunately, I think our defense is in the okay-good range, and our offense hasn't shown they can execute a touchdown drive.
So what kind of team is the 2010 Chiefs?
My first thought, based on the quarterback play, was that maybe they were the 2006 Bears. Led by Rex Grossman, they reached the Super Bowl, and on Monday night they showed that the Bears are who we thought they were.
Yes, the Bears did win games with defense and special teams. But two problems: that Bears defense was elite, these Chiefs are nowhere near that yet. And if you look at that Bears offense, they were hit or miss. Sure some nights, Rex had turnover problems, but they also put up 30+ in 8 games. And 26 in 3 others. Right now the Chiefs offense seems to just be poor.
Okay, maybe they could be the 2009 Jets? They finished 9-7, got the wild card, and snuck into the AFC championship. The level of QB play from rookie Sanchez to Cassel seems fair, and the running game is comparable. But the Jets had the #1 defense. Right now the Chiefs D is 9th in points allowed and 24th in yards allowed. So a fair statement might be, the 2010 Chiefs are the 2009 Jets with a mediocre defense. And that's not saying much.
Or...they could be the 2009 Broncos. A hot sleeper pick in the AFC West with new coaches from New England, with a considerable home field advantage. They both had fluky wins in week one (moonsoon & Stokley's catch). And Orton to Cassel seems fair. Denver had a hot start but after the bye, fizzled out, finishing 8-8 and out of the playoffs.
Based on these comparisons, a 7-9 Chiefs campaign seems likely. (Should be good enough for a burger bet though!)
On to the game balls.
#3: Ryan Succop
Not often a kicker gets a game ball, unless he makes a game winner with less than 5 minutes to go. But he was 3/3 on a day when the other kicker was 0/1. And we needed all 9 of those.#2: The Defense
The offense scored 9 points, 3 of which were set up by a fumble. The only touchdown came from the defensive side. When the offense can only muster 6 points on their own, and you hold on for the win, that's a game ball. (No good photos of the defense, when in doubt, the coach represents the team.)#1: Brandon Flowers
Easy choice. The only player that made a big play. Last year, he had a couple of these that he dropped. This time he hangs on and makes the difference. He's been really good for a while now, good to see him win a game, basically on his one play.
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