Week 3 - Irrelevant

The Chiefs did exactly what they had to do to beat the New Orleans Saints this week. In my prediction, I said that in order for them to keep the game close they would need to get pressure on Drew Brees, force him to turn the ball over, and run the ball successfully. They did all three, and they were able to run the ball so well that they were able to pull out a tightly contested overtime game.

The pressure up the middle disrupted Brees' timing. Since he's so short he was forced out of the pocket where he either was caught and sacked or had to throw the ball away. After a first drive in which the Saints averaged over ten yards per play, the defense tightened up and, for the most part, neutralized the big plays.

While Romeo had the defense doing its thing the offense was struggling to find big plays just like New Orleans. At the half the Saints led 10-6 with Succop providing the two field goals needed to keep the game close.

In the second half the Chiefs found their source of big plays. After rushing for three yards on six carries last week, Jamaal Charles had a breakout week, reminding people of his 2010 campaign. The former Texas track star sliced through holes hard and fast and when he got into the open he used that track speed well. He ran for 233 yards and also had 55 yards receiving and a touchdown.

The defense was impressive in the second half. An interception by the newly acquired Stanford Routt (our first of the season) halted what looked like a scoring drive, and the emergence of the young Justin Houston was a huge bright spot. Houston accounted for three of the team's four sacks on the day, including one safety that completely flipped the momentum of the game and brought the game within a field goal.

After Mr. Irrelevant, Succop, kicked his fifth field goal in regulation the game was tied entering overtime. After a few drives by both teams, that all resulted in punts, the Chiefs finally got back into field goal range. Mr. Irrelevant put his sixth three-pointer through the uprights for the win as the Chiefs finally got their first win and handed the Saints their third "bounty era" loss.

Players of the Game:

Chiefs
Offense - Jamaal Charles. He looked fast, quick, and determined after a feeble effort against the Bills. He accounted for 288 total yards and the Chiefs only touchdown (a 91 yard run) as we relied heavily on Succop and the defense for the rest of our scoring.
Defense - Justin Houston. The second year outside linebacker had a breakout game with three sacks and a safety. Drew Brees felt him all day.

Saints
Darren Sproles - The little, big play machine, was just that for the Saints. He had two long kick returns, as well as two long runs and a few short receptions. He always seems to be there when he's needed.