Arizona Cardinals at Kansas City Chiefs recap: The Chiefs rev it up and pound the Cardinals
There was a moment in this game last Sunday at Arrowhead that felt very familiar to long suffering Chiefs fans. It came with 2:35 left in the first quarter. The Cardinals offense had already sustained a nine play 51 yard drive to take a 3-0 lead & the Arizona defense had forced the Chiefs to punt on each of its first two possessions. The offense looked dormant again as it had in Denver. It was an inflection point in another Chiefs game when, in recent seasons, the opponent routinely took the opportunity to seize control of the game.
This time though, it felt different. There was a reserved buzz of quiet anticipation in Arrowhead. The feeling of belief in this team’s ability to compete seemed close at hand, ready to bubble up in Arrowhead revelry.
It was very interesting to see how the game turned. First, the Chiefs defense rose up with discipline, aided by two penalties on the Cardinals & an assist from the 12th man, to squeeze Arizona into punting from their own six yard line. Javier Arenas fielded the punt & bolted 17 yards to the Arizona 38 to setup the offense with splendid field position. Matt Cassel promptly connected with Dwayne Bowe right down the middle to the Cardinals one yard line, then found Bowe again on 3rd & goal for the touchdown & a 7-3 lead the Chiefs would never relinquish. Let the revelry begin.
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The unfamiliar feeling grew as the KC offense proceeded to score three more touchdowns & a field goal on its ensuing seven possessions in this contest while the defense shut down the Arizona attack forcing seven punts in eight possessions. Kansas City not only won the football game but they did so in dominant fashion to push their home record at Arrowhead this season to 5-0. It's been a few years since Arrowhead meant an advantage for the Chiefs. It does again. That feels good to loyal Chiefs fans across this great country.
Gardner's Grades:
Offense: B KC racked up 159 rushing yards on 29 carries for a 5.5 average behind the power of Thomas Jones, 15 attempts for 71 yards & two touchdowns, & the deception of Jamaal Charles, 12 carries for 88 yards plus four catches for 38 more. Cassel completed 15 of 24 for 193 yards & two touchdowns with no interceptions. Dwayne Bowe had six catches for 109 yards & two touchdowns to set an all-time Kansas City Chiefs record with touchdown receptions in six consecutive games. This has become the Chiefs script: run well & pass as needed relying heavily on the talents of Bowe. 17 first downs & 352 total yards are average outputs for this unit but the red zone efficiency was first rate.
Defense: B Allowing Arizona 19 first downs & 382 total yards is another average output statistically but that misrepresents this units effectiveness in this contest. They harassed Cardinals quarterback Derek Anderson into 21 incompletions & two interceptions with tight secondary coverage & consistent pressure. Many of the 281 passing yards came once the game was well in hand. No fumbles, no interceptions. They got it down at home.
Coaching: B It took time for Charlie Weis' offense to turn it up but once they got it going the play calling flowed nicely. Special teams did their jobs, nothing special. Head Coach Todd Haley shook hands after the game. Check, all systems go.
Looking ahead:
The road turns rough again as the Chiefs embark to the West Coast to play in the loudest stadium in the NFL this Sunday vs. the Seattle Seahawks. So while home field advantage is now back at Arrowhead Stadium, this week the Chiefs deal with their 1-4 road record & play two time zones to the west. The prognosticators call it a pick 'em game. I call it a big opportunity for the Chiefs to prove they can win on the road in hostile territory. Maybe they will, maybe they won't. Are you going to watch?
By Allan Gardner
ProFootball-fans.com Kansas City Chiefs Correspondent