A blocked punt. A blocked field goal. A blown assignment on an 87 yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.
OK, maybe not perfect, but pretty close.
It’s been rare that we’ve seen that kind of break down in the special teams. Maybe you have to credit the Seahawks.
The 87 yard touchdown is more of a concern, one that I’m sure they’ve talked about this week.
This was as complete a game as we’ve seen from this team in a very long time. Take away those 87 yards on that pass play and the Seahawks end up with 195 yards passing to go along with their 20 yards rushing.
The defense was dominating. The running game was fantastic, even by the high standard they’ve already set.
I’m hoping by now it has become less fashionable to criticize Matt Cassel. One of the few stats he is not one of highest ranked quarterbacks at this points in total yards passing.
That’s what “top quarterbacks” are based on. Unless of course you know something about football.
Dwayne Bowe has turned into one of the top wide receivers in the NFL. That came out of nowhere. Two months ago the guy couldn’t hold a ball thrown into his hands.
One of the most telling plays, to me, was a third a ten late in the game. Bowe went about 12 yards, curled back and Cassel delivered the ball low, right where he should. Bowe caught the ball, first down.
It is these type of plays that the Chiefs have not been making. Normally, that route would have been run eight yards and curled for a 6 yard gain. If not, Bowe would have dropped it, or it would have been too low.
If they can do that on a consistent basis, they will be very difficult to beat, home or away.
They have a tough road in front of them. We will know they have turned the corner if they can go into San Diego and win.
Regardless, in many ways they have turned that corner that we have been waiting for.
I have been excited about the way the Chiefs have been building their organization. With ten wins in three years, and a 7-4 record this year, it’s hard not to be.
Winning the Super Bowl is the goal for every team, every year. We all know, however, that’s not really the case. The Lions, Bills, Panthers and Chiefs, to name a few, probably had few expectations of actually reaching that goal this season.
If the Chiefs make the playoffs they will be a very dangerous team. I say that because in order to do that, they will have to win some big games between now and the end of the season.
If they fail to make the playoffs, this will be an off season with great optimism for next year.
Each week, this team grows, matures and improves. That does not mean we should be shocked at setbacks and bad losses. The loss to the Broncos should never happen. The loss to the Raiders is understandable, but avoidable.
This week, just take care of business. Then worry about next week.
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