Kansas City Chiefs at Indianapolis Colts Recap:  Indy knocks out the Chiefs

The final score in Indianapolis on Sunday was probably not much of a surprise to NFL fans as Peyton Manning & the Colts took down the previously unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs by a final score of 19-9.  The way the game played out on both sides of the ball however, proved to be an eye opener for the future prospects of the Chiefs season.

Gardner's grades:

Offense: D

The lone bright spots for the Kansas City offense were Jamaal Charles, who gained 87 yards on 16 carries for an average of 5.4 yards per carry, & tight end Tony Moeaki who snagged four balls for 50 yards.  Clearly the game plan was to grind it out on the ground in an attempt to keep four time league MVP Peyton Manning off the field.  Outside of the running game the Chiefs offense got exposed for what it is: a run first team with a very weak passing game, at least thus far.  Matt Cassel was pressured relentlessly by the Colts terrific pass rush all day & turned in a very mediocre performance with 16 completions in 29 attempts for 156 yards.  Dwayne Bowe dropped an easy touchdown pass.  Dexter McCluster was a non-factor.  KC was a dismal one for 10 on 3rd down conversions.  Ultimately KC managed only three field goals & not a single touchdown.  That doesn't get the job done in this NFL, especially on the road.   

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Defense: A 

On the other hand, the Chiefs defense turned in another superb & very encouraging effort.  Pressure on Manning was ever present & tight coverage by the Chiefs talented secondary led to many off target passes from the MVP.  Limiting Manning & the Colts to only one touchdown & 19 points at home is a very strong result for any NFL defense at this stage.  We haven't said this much at all in the recent past, but the Kansas City Chiefs defense did all they could to give their team a chance to win at Indy.  In the end, the offense let them down.

Coaching:  C           

Begging to differ with game announcer Dan Dierdorf, when you are faced with 4th & two early on in a scoreless game on the road you take the points.  You get off zero & take the lead in the enemy’s house.  Every time.  Had the Chiefs taken that chip shot field goal at the end of a 15 play, 73 yard drive that consumed over half the first quarter, they may have been in a position to tie the game with a late touchdown in the 4th quarter.  Instead they were left to try a 51 yard field goal that missed & effectively ended the Chiefs chances to steal a game on the road.  That decision, in addition to an ill fated onsides kick attempt to open the game, put KC in a bind they could never escape from.  Being aggressive at the right time is one thing, hamstringing your team is another.  I give Haley a D for this game while Romeo Crennel earns at least a B for preparing the defense to play the way they did.

Moving forward the Chiefs travel to Houston to play their historical namesake, the Texans.  After being manhandled by the Giants on Sunday, the Texans should be plenty fired up for the new look Chiefs.  For Chiefs fans the passing game had better have a great week of work for this team to have a chance to win next Sunday.

By Allan Gardner
ProFootball-fans.com Kansas City Chiefs Correspondent