Game Thread: Chiefs @ Orange Menace

[Clayton]

Denver went full Kubiak. Why on god's green earth would you go prevent against the Chiefs offense.

No idea. He must still think Andy Reid has bad clock management.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

This defense is flat gassed. This offense better have another miracle out of its hat.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

This defense is flat gassed. This offense better have another miracle out of its hat.

And by golly it does.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

Quarterback grade: Alex Smith, 57.9

Smith comes through in the clutch as Chiefs steal win in Denver

Alex Smith is always tagged with the “game manager” moniker as an NFL quarterback, and Sunday night showed why. He did not make many impressive throws throughout the night, but he did come through when the team needed him the most. Smith orchestrated the drive that ended in a game-tying touchdown and two point conversion at the end of regulation. And with a minute to go at midfield, Smith led his team inside the red zone for a game-winning field goal in overtime.

Top offensive grades:

C Mitch Morse, 76.6

WR Tyreek Hill, 76.1

HB Spencer Ware, 71.4

TE Travis Kelce, 70.6

WR De’Anthony Thomas 59.0

Hill emerges as Chiefs’ reliable weapon

On a night where Smith could not find many reliable targets, Tyreek Hill produced solid offensive production to help the Chiefs win. Hill scored all of Kansas City’s touchdowns with a receiving, rushing, and return touchdown. Hill also came up with the first-down catch on 4th-and-10 with 19 seconds left to put the Chiefs in position to tie the game late.

Top defensive grades:

ED Justin Houston, 92.9

LB Derrick Johnson, 79.0

DI Dontari Poe, 76.0

LB Ramik Wilson, 75.9

LB D.J. Alexander, 75.7

Justin Houston reigns terror on Broncos tackles

It appears Justin Houston has shaken off the rust from his first game, and is back to his dominant self. Houston almost singlehandedly stymied the Broncos’ offense in the first half with three sacks and and four hurries that resulted in a 92.4 pass-rushing grade. Houston also stripped Trevor Siemian in the end zone, leading to a safety that forced a free kick that Tyreek Hill took to the house. His effort was almost marred by Phillip Gaines, who gave up three long passes, two of which went for touchdowns. On the night, he gave up six receptions for 209 yards and those two touchdowns.

 

[Clayton]

Was Poe that good? The radio made it sound like the d line was playing very well in the later stages of the game.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

Was Poe that good? The radio made it sound like the d line was playing very well in the later stages of the game.

It was more Nunez Roches and Jones than Poe really who was on Paradis. Poe left the game with back spasms and it was kind of a nuisance at times in the 2nd half/OT.

 

[Clayton]

It was more Nunez Roches and Jones than Poe really who was on Paradis. Poe left the game with back spasms and it was kind of a nuisance at times in the 2nd half/OT.

That's the gist I got, too. Poes high grade surprises me a little

 

[Fountain City Blues]

That's the gist I got, too. Poes high grade surprises me a little

Held the point of attack but his back was a problem as far as actual pentration goes. Paradis with his hips and Poe's back was a very weird matchup

 

[Clayton]

Held the point of attack but his back was a problem as far as actual pentration goes. Paradis with his hips and Poe's back was a very weird matchup

It sounded like the Chiefs were beating the Broncos oline all night.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

It sounded like the Chiefs were beating the Broncos oline all night.

It was much worse in reality than it sounded from what I gather on radio. Virtually every man but Poe Was in the backfield. Houston got Sambrailo benched for old buddy Stephenson.

 

[Clayton]

It was much worse in reality than it sounded from what I gather on radio. Virtually every man but Poe Was in the backfield. Houston got Sambrailo benched for old buddy Stephenson.

Okay, just watched the Chiefs-Broncos highlights package on youtube. Stephenson looked like he was getting beat, too, but he did make a play to keep the Broncos QB scrambling that gave them that TD on the extended play. It was a really solid performance overall against the Broncos Dline especially considering the Chiefs pass rush isnt 100% right now.

Two things bother me watching the highlights package.

#1 - they didn't call pass interference on Roby on the play where the Chiefs got stopped on the 1/2 yd line at the end of regulation. The Chiefs got lucky that possession wasn't made until the endzone was crossed but the only reason why that play was in doubt was because Roby mugged the receiver.

#2 - Gaines was just the worst. The first two plays he got beat badly was just Sanders being much faster than him. Gaines ran a 4.38 combine and Sanders ran a 4.41. Gaines was running like a guy who could barely touch 4.5. Not quick enough to play what they were wanting him to do. At all. Then the 3rd play he got torched was just awful. He looked like a rookie totally confused when he was the only guy that couldn't get beat. His final play where he actually made a stop was more because the Broncos couldn't make the play but it was there if they were perfect.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

Haven't really kept track of this but it's worth a looksie so I'll share. PFF's top 10 rookies as of today.

5. Chris Jones, DT, Chiefs
Even though he’s played only 60 percent of the Chiefs’ defensive snaps the past five weeks, Jones has 20 pressures over that span. Among all interior defenders, only Los Angeles DT Aaron Donald has more. That’s ridiculously impressive production for a second-rounder who barely saw any snaps early in the season. And it’s not coming at the detriment of his run defense, where Jones has been above-average, as well.

10. Tyreek Hill, WR, Chiefs
Tyreek Hill has played fewer than half the snaps of Michael Thomas, but when he is on the field, few players have been as impactful at the position this year. Many of the plays he’s on the field for are designed touches for the rookie, but Hill is still third among all receivers in yards per route run (2.52). What really sets him apart, though, are his return skills, making him easily the highest-ranked returner in the NFL.

 

[MHSL82]

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