Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs grades: Instant classic on Sunday night

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Nov 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs kicker Cairo Santos (5) attempts a field goal against the Denver Broncos in overtime at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Chiefs defeated the Broncos 30-27 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs played one of the most exciting and infuriating games I have ever seen in Denver on Sunday night.

When the game was flexed into prime time I, like many of you, was concerned about the recent performances of the Chiefs in nationally televised games. My concern was heightened as I saw the offense struggle to move the ball and I nearly gave up as Phillip Gaines was torched. But none of it mattered as Justin Houston and Tyreek Hill came to play. Houston recorded 10 stops including a strip sack that resulted in an eventual safety. Hill became the first player since 1965 to get a rushing, receiving, and kick return touchdown in a single game.

Eventually it all came down to the foot of Cairo Santos who has been amazingly clutch in his few seasons in the NFL. He didn’t just win it with a nice kick down the middle though. No, he injected even more juice into an already heart-stopping game by hitting the upright first before it snuck in. He later jokingly said he called “bank” but forgot to tell holder Dustin Colquitt. Yeah Cairo nice kick, don’t ever *bleeping* do it again.

The game ultimately reminded me of my first real memory of Kansas City football. It was 1997 and the Chiefs hosted Denver late in the season for a pivotal AFC West matchup. The game was low scoring and needed a kick at the very end to win it. Pete Stoyanovich had a shot from 54 yards down by one point.

I remember my dad walking into his bedroom with a comment something like “This is the Chiefs, they can’t win these kinds of games.” He had been a fan since before the Super Bowl win and had seen a lot of Chiefs failure. But Stoyanovich nailed the 54-yarder with less than a yard above the crossbar. The Chiefs won and would go on to win the AFC West. Let’s hope this season has a better end than that ’97 season despite the similarities.

Nov 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) reacts after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Chiefs defeated the Broncos 30-27 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Offense: C+

I wanted to give this offense an F throughout the entire game. Then they showed me something they haven’t showed all year. They showed the ability to march down the field and score a touchdown when they absolutely needed it. Alex Smith played terribly all game until he decided to start letting the ball fly and put the pressure on the Broncos defense. It is truly baffling to me why the Chiefs can’t play like this all the time.

The ability is there. There is no denying that Smith can make the throws but he chooses not to. Is it the play calls? Just Smith’s own risk-averse style? Is it both? Someday I would love to know the answer to that because right now Smith and head coach Andy Reid won’t tell us.

Many could point out that the defense was tired at the end of the game but watching those last drives again I see Von Miller and the defense getting off the ball just as quickly. I see Smith not panicking under pressure but getting rid of the football with poise and accuracy. I see Kelce hanging on to the ball despite contact and Tyreek Hill showing why he deserves team MVP.

The stat lines weren’t good but the Chiefs made the plays when they absolutely had to. As fans I think we can give up on ever hoping this team will win easy. They just don’t do that. What do they do you ask? They win football games and they have proven they can beat anyone in this league.

Nov 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston (50) forces a fumble against Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) in the second quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Defense: B-

The defense as a whole played extremely well for the entire first half. Then in the third quarter they were just out there too much. Everyone gets tired and the Broncos figured out how to contain Justin Houston. They put in Donald Stephenson who really played better than the previous right tackle by getting out of his stance quicker.

After he got out of his stance however he wrapped his arms around Houston and let go just in time to make it not so noticeable to the referee. Everyone else in the stadium saw the holding on nearly every pass play but Pete Morelli must have only been looking at Trevor Siemian. I’m sure it doesn’t help that apparently no one has told Pete Morelli that he died some time ago. It is hard to see holding calls when you’ve been dead for six months.

As for the secondary, they played the slant so well that the deep crosser suddenly became inevitable. The Chiefs play with one high safety a lot and if there is any confusion on routes at all then it can go very badly. With two high safeties teams can at times confuse routes and still maintain the integrity of the defense.

The Chiefs without Steven Nelson don’t have a corner that can keep up with slot receivers. Gaines showed his value on passes within ten yards but if the offensive line holds the pass rush to allow deep routes then he gets toasted. If Dee Ford can work his way back this week and Tamba Hali give the effort he gave Sunday Night then good luck Matt Ryan.

Nov 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) runs the ball in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Special Teams: A+

This has been fairly consistent for several weeks now. The Chiefs special teams are something of legend really.  The Broncos had no kick returns and their punt returns finished at an average of 2 yards. The only turnover in the game came from a muffed return by the Broncos that was leaped upon by long snapper James Winchester. Winchester has shown great heart and spirit after the untimely death of his father a week and half ago. The Chiefs are happy to have a guy who not only snaps with amazing consistency but makes plays down the field with just hustle and grit.

Cairo Santos proved he was clutch yet again with his ability to nail field goals that matter most. Twice in overtime he kicked field goals that were extremely high pressure kicks. Santos never appeared to be fazed by the moment and even though the final kick was more dramatic than it should have been, it still won the game.

Tyreek Hill has been the steal of the draft so far this year and you can’t blame the rest of the NFL for not taking him. The dude plead guilty to domestic violence charges against his pregnant girlfriend. That is enough to drive anyone else away but Reid has a way with “troubled” players. I will never excuse what Hill did but the fact that he owned up to it and has kept his life in order since may prove that he has changed.

Great play covers up a multitude of sins but Hill has shown where his focus lies. Anyone who can come in as a rookie and positively impact an offense as complicated as Reid’s deserves a lot of credit.

Nov 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid speaks to an official in a overtime period against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Chiefs defeated the Broncos 30-27 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Coaching: B

I think we need to go ahead and accept that while Reid and Smith are here, the offense will be limited. Not because of lack of talent but because of the unwillingness to go out and take a game. The only time I have ever seen this team really go for it early and often was the playoff game in Indianapolis in 2013.

They ended up blowing a huge lead and losing the game. Even last year against Houston in the playoffs the Chiefs got a lead and protected it instead of really building on it. We saw on Sunday night that this offense can move the ball. That they can get the ball out quickly and hit targets downfield. Yet Reid doesn’t want to take risks and chances. Therefore the first three quarters nets less than 100 total offensive yards.

On the other side Bob Sutton does some great things with a very injured defense. It gave up some big plays but for the most part the defense was bend don’t break. In overtime an exhausted defense held twice on third down to force field goal attempts.

The defense still won this game. You have to give credit to Sutton for doing this with one of the youngest defenses in the NFL. You also have to give credit to John Dorsey and Reid for building a roster that can compete at the starter level with third stringers.

ON TO ATLANTA!

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