Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs need more fire as target in Houston

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 3:57 p.m. ET

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Jan 9, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters (22) intercepts a pass intended for Houston Texans wide receiver Nate Washington (85) during the second quarter in a AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs were late to their own party week one at home in Arrowhead against the Chargers.

San Diego walked into the Chiefs’ house motivated. They had a plan on how to target Kansas City and knock off a division contender and playoff winner right off the bat. The Chiefs nearly helped them do it.

The effort shown in the first half was disheartening and surprising for a team coming off a playoff season. Generally, that signals that the coaching staff was not able to get the team prepared. Andy Reid has a track record of starting slow early in the season. That is not anything new, but It’s on the players as well. They got themselves turned around, but needed overtime to figure themselves out.

Maybe they needed a slap in the face. A 21-3 halftime drubbing will do that. The team came out for the second half with more fire and a professional demeanor. We talked with Matt Derrick from Chiefs Digest this week on the Locked on Podcast. Here’s the show:

They settled down and started to correct their issues. They brought more effort and energy. In the end it paid off and their escaped with the win they should have had all along.

They don’t have the luxury to repeat that kind of false start again. Its imperative that the team come out and pick up against the Texans where they left off versus the Chargers. They need that fire the ended week 1 with.

Houston has a target on Kansas City. The Texans were embarrassed in last season’s playoff loss and should be eager to redeem themselves. The Texans have much more team speed on offense in 2016 than when the Chiefs beat them in the playoffs. That could be the difference to watch. Kansa City needs to start fast and get out to a lead.

Russell departs KC

The team made a rare and surprising move on Wednesday. KeiVarae Russell, the Chiefs 3rd round draft pick was released to the waiver wire. Slow to catch on in training camp, Russell had fallen behind 6th round pick D.J. White, making him the low man in the cornerback room.

“Listen, we felt like that was the best thing to do for the Chiefs right now. You evaluate players and that’s how we felt.” – Andy Reid on KeiVarae Russell

Russell told the Kansas City Star’s Terez Paylor last week that the learning curve had been steep in Kansas City. Whether he was unable to grasp the defense or had other problems we don’t know about yet is unclear. Either way, this can only be seen as a draft miss for John Dorsey and the personnel department. They missed something in their pre-draft evaluation of Russell’s learning capability or temperament or medical status. In his only significant preseason action, Russell showed he can play at this level, making a notable pass breakup.

The Russell selection was a bit of a surprise at #74. The team had traded back from #59and had a number interesting options on the board. In the end, they passed over players including CB Cyrus Jones, OLB Shilique Calhoun, OLB Jordan Jenkins and WR Braxton Miller. Here’s a look at my Big Board from draft day.

Turning it Around

Laurant Duvernay-Tardif was challenged by the San Diego Chargers. He was caught by an early defensive line twist that led to him being pushed back into the pocket. Unfortunately, Alex Smith was still in the pocket, was hit and fumbled the ball. LDT had some work to do at half time. He did that work and in the second half handle the same play with much better results. Here’s the difference:

There is a possibility that the team will be without both starting guards against the Texans. Both Parker Ehinger (concussion) and LDT (high ankle) are on the injury report. That will be a challenge to overcome.

Stat of the Week

Four. That’s it. Just 4. Against San Diego that is the total number of pressures the Chiefs were able to generate. Three quarterback hits and a solitary sack.

That won’t be enough against Brock Osweiler. Leaving him time in the pocket with his speedy receiver corps will cost the Chiefs. The KC pass rush has to get home against familiar foe Ryan Clark and old friend Jeff Allen.

AFC West Power Rankings

I am ranking the AFC West based on the Kansas City Chiefs that played the 4th quarter of week one. That is the team that they should be each and every snap of 2016. If they do, they should every team in this division.

On a neutral field, this is where I see the teams of the AFC West. Denver is a hair behind at this point because 4th quarter Alex Smith is the best QB in the division this week. Oakland is on the rise and could get bumped next week with a better defensive showing against Atlanta. Looking at you, Sean Smith.