Okay, so that's not that long ago. The time before that was 2005. In both of those seasons, the Chiefs finished 10-6.
So far, they've beaten the Jaguars on the road and the Cowboys at home. I didn't make a post after the Jags game because Jax is the worst team in the league by far.
And although the 28-2 score is great, the Chiefs offense didn't impress.
Week 1 vs Jaguars
A quick recap of the Chiefs possessions:
1. 3 and out, blocked punt for safety
2. 3-play, 24-yard touchdown drive (following good punt return)
3. 1 first down, punt
4. 2-play, 21-yard touchdown drive (following interception)
5. 1 first down, punt
6. 8-play, 57-yard touchdown drive
7. 1 first down, punt
halftime
8. 2 first downs, punt
9. 1 first down, punt
10. 3 and out, punt
11. 2 first downs, punt
12. 3 and out, punt
13. 1 first down, punt
14. victory formation
Great day for the Chiefs defense. Sacked Jax 6 times. Allowed 0 points. Two picks including a pick-six. Only allowed 178 total yards.
But look at the Chiefs offense. 10 punts. 3 touchdowns. 2 of which, they started inside the opposing 25. The good news: 3 times in the red zone, 3 touchdowns. But only 3 times in the red zone against Jacksonville? Not inspiring.
Week 2 vs Cowboys
The Chiefs were slightly outgained in yards, had less time of possession, and even had more penalties. They were losing for all of the second quarter and most of the third. Let's look at the Chiefs possessions:
1. 13-play, 77-yard touchdown drive
2. 3 and out, punt
3. 1 first down, punt
4. 3 and out, punt
5. 1 first down, punt
6. 3 first downs, 57-yard fg attempt blocked
halftime
7. 10-play, 79-yard touchdown drive
8. 3 and out, made field goal (following DAL fumble)
9. 3 and out, punt
10. 3 and out, punt
11. 3 first downs, punt
In case you're wondering, through two games, the Chiefs punted 16 times, 3rd most in the league. The Chiefs are not moving the ball down the field. They have 1 made field goal on the season, and that came on a 3 and out.
So they had two good drives (their last drive was a good one to eat the clock) and got a field goal off a turnover.
The Chiefs first drive included a 3rd and 15 conversion when Alex Smith scrambled for 17 yards.
The Chiefs second td drive included a 31-yard pass to Avery on 3rd and 9.
Both of those plays were essential to winning.
Let's look at the Cowboys possessions to see how the Chiefs D won this game:
1. fg
2. td
3. punt
4. punt
5. punt
6. kneel
halftime
7. fg
8. fumble
9. fumble
10. punt
11. fg
12. time expires
This game came down to
1. Red Zone efficiency
2. Turnover battle
3. Chiefs D
Point #1: Red Zone efficiency
(Of course, we're talking touchdowns only. I hate it when tv networks show scoring efficency in the red zone. As if it's better to get a field goal than go for it inside the 20.) Last year the NFL ranged from 68% to 40%. Except for the Chiefs. Who were dead last at 27%.
This year the Chiefs are a perfect 5/5 for touchdowns in the red zone. Only Houston is also at 100% so far. The worst? New Orleans right now at 14%.
These three sequences tell the story.
| 1st and 10 at DAL 18 | A.Smith scrambles up the middle to DAL 15 for 3 yards (B.Carter). | ||
| 2nd and 7 at DAL 15 | (Shotgun) A.Smith up the middle to DAL 2 for 13 yards (B.Church). | ||
| 1st and 2 at DAL 2 | (No Huddle) A.Smith pass incomplete short left to J.Charles. | ||
| 2nd and 2 at DAL 2 | A.Smith pass short right to J.Charles for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. |
| 1st and 5 at KC 5 | (Shotgun) T.Romo sacked at KC 12 for -7 yards (D.Poe). | ||
| 2nd and 12 at KC 12 | (Shotgun) T.Romo pass short left to D.Murray to KC 4 for 8 yards (D.Poe). | ||
| 3rd and 4 at KC 4 | (Shotgun) PENALTY on DAL-R.Leary, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at KC 4 - No Play. | ||
| 3rd and 9 at KC 9 | (No Huddle, Shotgun) T.Williams to KC 12 for -3 yards (H.Abdullah; Q.Demps). T.Romo attempted pass was a backward lateral. | ||
| 4th and 12 at KC 12 | D.Bailey 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-L.Ladouceur, Holder-C.Jones. |
| 2nd and 10 at DAL 26 | (Shotgun) A.Smith pass short middle to A.Fasano to DAL 12 for 14 yards (B.Church). | ||
| 1st and 10 at DAL 12 | (Shotgun) A.Smith pass short middle to D.Bowe for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. KC-A.Fasano was injured during the play. |
That's 8 points that the Chiefs could have missed out on (if they had settled for two field goals) and 4 points that the Chiefs D prevented. 12-point swing in the red zone on those sequences. In a one-point game.
Point #2: Turnovers
Last year, the Chiefs were the worst in the league at giving the ball away. 37 turnovers. (Interestingly enough, tied with Philadelphia [and the Jets]). The Chiefs -24 turnover margin was also the worst, tied with Philly.
This year, the Chiefs are one of only two teams along with the Titans not to turn the ball over. The three teams with the best turnover margin: Seahawks +5, Chiefs +4, Titans +4.
Point #3: Chiefs Defense
Last year the Chiefs were 25th in points allowed. 27th in rush yards allowed.
This year, #2 in points allowed. #2 in rush yards allowed. #3 in total yards allowed.
I know half of the sample is against the Jaguars. But still that's a big turn around.
Dallas carried the ball 16 times on Sunday. 37 rushing yards. 2.3 yards a carry.
Conclusion
The things that won us this game, were the very things that the Chiefs were the worst in the league at last year. I'm a bit concerned about our offense. They've struggled. But they've gotten it done in the red zone, haven't turned it over, and our defense has played great.
Feels like a 9-7 team. Which is a lot nicer than 2-14.
Epilogue
On Sunday I saw the best punt I've ever seen:
Standing on his own 25, Dustin Colquitt kicked it into the corner, where the ball came to a rest on its own inside the 2. Simply brilliant.
(What wasn't brilliant is that rookie on special teams got pushed out of bounds and was the first to touch it. That's a penalty that puts the ball on the Dallas 20. Unfortunate.)
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