Last week, before any of the Jovan Belcher issues, I predicted that the Chiefs would beat the Carolina Panthers. I also predicted that the reason we would win is because Romeo Crennel would come in with a good game plan and would stay committed to running the ball. I'm glad to say that I was right,
The Kansas City players came into the stadium Sunday with heavy hearts, just 24 hours after hearing that their teammate had killed his wife and himself. In games like this one it can be hard for a team to ride emotions for an entire 60-minute game. Teams normally come out strong with a desire to win for whatever cause they may be representing that day, but that much emotion can also make you become more disheartened when you fail. You will fail at some point during every game and that's a given. Coaches preach not to be too emotional during a game for that reason exactly. The teams that consistently win are the teams with the shortest memories. When things go well, you can't get too high and coast and when things go poorly, you can't get too down and give in.
The Chiefs were able to get off to that hot start, as expected, and were able to keep the Panthers at bay for the rest of the game with another strong rushing performance from Jamaal Charles and surprising and impressive efficiency from Brady Quinn. Charles ran for 127 yards on 27 carries while Peyton Hillis added 19 more yards and a score on a powerful run inside the five to get the game started. Brady Quinn played the best game of his career on Sunday and we needed it to pull out this win. He threw only four incomplete passes, going 19 of 23, for 201 yards and 2 touchdowns. While he wasn't exactly lighting it up with throws down field, he played a very smart and under control game. He reminded me of Matt Cassel before this season, choosing to make the safe throw rather than make the big play. That style won't win many games by itself but it does keep you in the game and allow other playmakers to win it for you. With a running back like Charles, all we rally need is someone to keep the defense honest and not load up the box with 8 or 9 guys every down.
When you are effiecient throwing the ball, limiting incompletions, and you run the ball with success, it keeps the clock running. Teams like the Saints, Patriots and Packers are what I call "clock friendly" teams. They want their to be as much time on the clock as possible so they can keep putting up points. Teams like the 49ers, Vikings, and Chiefs are not so "clock friendly". They know they aren't going to score many points but if they can keep the ball out of your hands then it doesn't really matter. They want the clock to be moving at all times, limiting your chances to score. With this method, you must be more efficient with each possession. If you have multiple drives that are long but don't end up in at least a field goal then you accomplished nothing. Empty drives are the worst enemy of team that aren't "clock friendly" because they are making the game shorter. While limiting the other teams scoring chances, they also limit their own. The other team is more like to score with a high powered offense so you have to cash in as much as possible.
In 2010 the Chiefs used this game plan every week. Teams knew what was coming and still couldn't stop it. It was great to see and one team imposing their will on another is the kind of football I love to watch. The last two weeks have been like that even though we've only came out with the win once.
Players of the Game
Chiefs
Offense - Brady Quinn: I've hated on him all year and now it's time to give him a little love. He played great going 19 for 23 with 201 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Defense: Brandon Siler and Cory Greenwood: You don't know them because they never play. They rotated in to replace Jovan Belcher and both played pretty well. It's hard to step in when you have less than 24 hours notice that the guy in front of you is not only not playing, but dead.
Panthers
Steve Smith: He embarrassed out secondary all day long. He's getting up there in age but he still has blazing speed and a loud mouth. He made the secondary look bad and then told them that he made them look bad and they couldn't do anything about it. He ended the day with 5 catches for 120 yards, including a 53 yard completion from Cam Newton and a 23 yard score.
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