We realize that if you love the Kansas City Chiefs, there's nothing about them that you don't want to know. At ChiefsLocker.com, our blog devoted to the team, we've got the 4-1-1 on all the latest in Chiefs news, to keep you up to date on what is happening with every game on the schedule. If you've got a fantasy team, you'll love the way we bring the stats and fantasy profiles to you, because we understand that things don't just stop when the final score is in the books. Follow the Chiefs and their players as they travel up the AFC West standings, and experience the games just like you were at Arrowhead Stadium. We know you want to dress like a pro too, and through ChiefsLocker.com you can get all the latest in Chiefs gear, including you can take to the game or use in the living room, as well as all the apparel you'll need to look like a walking billboard. We rank #1 when it comes to Chiefs' fanaticism – if you don't follow ChiefsLocker.com, you're not seriously following the Chiefs!
The Chiefs have signed 26-year old TE Leonard Pope. Pope played in 13 games for the Cardinals last season and he made 9 catches for 77 yards (8.6 avg). He has now played in 42 games in his NFL career and he has caught 48 passes for 476 yards (9.9 avg) with 5 TD grabs. With the Chiefs starving for a TE, Coach Todd Haley decided to bring in a player that was with him in Arizona. This was a good signing but don’t expect Pope to be the next Tony Gonzalez.
The Chiefs have traded 25-year old QB Tyler Thigpen to the Dolphins for a undisclosed draft pick. Thigpen only played in 1 game this season for the Chiefs and he carried the ball 1 time for 2 yards. In three years with the Chiefs, Thigpen played in 16 games and he completed 232 of 426 passes (54.5%) for 2,649 yards with 18 TD passes and 13 INTs (74.7 QB Rating). He also has carried the football 63 times for 388 yards (6.2 ypc) with 3 TD runs. Thigpen even snuck out of the backfield to catch a 37-yard TD pass. This was a good move for the Chiefs as they have Matt Cassel and Brodie Croyle ahead of Thigpen on the depth chart.
The Chiefs had huge problems on both the offensive and defensive sides of the football in this game and it showed on the scoreboard. Matt Cassel completed 14 of 18 passes for 90 yards with 2 TD passes in this game. Larry Johnson was stuffed at the line quite often in this game for the Chiefs as he carried the ball 19 times for only 38 yards (2.0 ypc). Jamaal Charles was solid in this game for the Chiefs as he carried the ball 6 times for 36 yards (6.0 ypc) and he also added 3 receptions for 34 yards (11.3 avg). WR Mark Bradley caught 4 passes for 28 yards (7.0 avg) in this game and he also completed a pass for 26 yards. The Chiefs finished up with only 196 total yards on offense (99 rushing, 97 passing) in this game and that’s pathetic.
The Chiefs’ D was led by LB Demorrio Williams (8 tackles) and CB Brandon Flowers (7 tackles, pass defensed). But the Chiefs were awful on defense allowing the Eagles to roll up 420 total yards on offense (93 rushing, 327 passing) in this game. The Chiefs are now 0-3 on the season.
The Chiefs couldn’t possibly play the Eagles at a better time with Donovan McNabb out of action. Matt Cassel looked rusty in his first start for the Chiefs last week but with another week under his belt he should be better. He will have to be careful with the football however as the Eagles already have six interceptions this season. The Eagles also like to blitz a lot as they already have 7 sacks this season so Cassel might have to unload the ball quickly. The Eagles are allowing 109.5 yards rushing per game so maybe this is the week that Larry Johnson gets going (98 yards rushing, 2.8 ypc). If Johnson can rush for over 100 yards in this game the Chiefs have a chance to pull a huge upset on the road.
The Eagles have always been a pass first team but they would be smart to run the ball against the Chiefs this week. The Chiefs have allowed 132.5 yards rushing per game (4.0 ypc) this season. Brian Westbrook is a little gimpy right now but Lesean McCoy and Leonard Weaver could help him out in this game. The Chiefs are not that bad of a pass defensive team (201.0 yards, 49.3% completions) and Kevin Kolb loves throwing the ball to the other team. Michael Vick is elgible to play in this game and he will likely run the ball a few times. But if the Eagles get behind like they did last week Jeff Garcia will be the one coming off the bench.
PREDICTION: EAGLES 20, CHIEFS 17
It’s amazing that the Chiefs found a way to lose this football game. Matt Cassel started his first game for the Chiefs and he completed 24 of 39 passes for 241 yards with 1 TD pass and 2 interceptions. He also carried the ball 5 times for 34 yards (6.8 ypc) showing that he’s getting healthy. Larry Johnson carried the ball 24 times for 78 yards (3.3 ypc) and he also caught 3 passes for 41 yards (13.7 avg). Dwayne Bowe (5 rec, 56 yards, TD) and Bobby Wade (6 rec, 72 yards) led the way in the passing game for the Chiefs. The Chiefs had possession of the football for 38:39 of this game finishing with 409 total yards on offense (173 rushing, 236 passing) but they still found a way to lose this game.
DT Tank Tyler led a outstanding effort by the Chiefs’ D with 7 tackles. The Raiders only finished with 166 total yards on offense (67 rushing, 99 passing) yesterday. The Chiefs are now 0-2 on the season with this loss.
The Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs both come into this game with 0-1 records. But, the Raiders played a better game last week and they have won two in a row at Arrowhead Stadium (23-8 last year). The Raiders have to be licking their chops looking at film of the Chiefs’ D which allowed 501 total yards last week against the Ravens. The Raiders will likely focus on running the football with Darren McFadden, Michael Bush and Justin Fargas against the Chiefs who allowed 198 yards rushing and 4.8 ypc last week. JaMarcus Russell will no doubt have time to throw the ball due to the Chiefs’ poor pass rush so TE Zach Miller and rookie WR Louis Murphy could both have big games also.
It’s looking like Matt Cassel might be able to go this week for the Chiefs. The Chiefs will likely try to get Larry Johnson and Jamaal Charles going on the ground against a Raiders’ D that was weak against the run last season. That will be easier said than done though as the Raiders only allowed 3.3 yards per carry and 77 yards rushing against the Chargers. The Chiefs must do a good job of blocking DE Richard Seymour who had two sacks this season already. If Cassel has time to throw the ball he should be able to make some plays downfield against the Raiders.
PREDICTION: RAIDERS 27, CHIEFS 23
With Larry Johnson being the featured back for the Chiefs this season the team will be creative in finding ways to get the ball in Jamaal Charles’ hands. He only carried the ball 4 times for 8 yards (2.0 ypc) against the Ravens last Sunday. But he added 4 catches for 29 yards (7.3 avg) out of the backfield for the Chiefs in the game against Baltimore. Charles also added 4 kickoff returns for 93 yards (23.3 avg) and that’s where he will likely get the ball the most as the Chiefs’ D does not look too good.
The Chiefs have lost 24-year old DE Turk McBride on waivers to the Lions. McBride didn’t play in the opener for the Chiefs against the Ravens. He played in 9 games last season for the Chiefs and he made 41 tackles and forced 1 fumble. In 2 years with the Chiefs, McBride played in 25 games in which he made 55 tackles, defensed 1 pass, had 1 sack and he forced 1 fumble. The Chiefs probably should have held onto McBride a tad longer as he’s still young enough to improve.
The Chiefs have signed 28-year old WR Bobby Wade to a 1-year deal. Wade played in 16 games (14 starts) for the Vikings last season and he caught 53 passes for 645 yards (12.2 avg) with 2 TD grabs. Wade has now played in 90 games (44 starts) in his NFL career and he has caught 208 passes for 2,491 yards (12.0 avg) with 7 TD grabs. This was a nice signing for the Chiefs who need help at WR.
The Chiefs played better than I thought they would yesterday but that’s not saying too much. Brodie Croyle got the start at QB and he played well completing 16 of 24 passes for 177 yards with 2 TD passes and 0 interceptions. Larry Johnson got stuffed all game by the Ravens D as he carried the ball 11 times for 20 yards (1.8 ypc). Mark Bradley led the way in the passing game for the Chiefs with 73 yards on 4 grabs (18.3 avg). Dwayne Bowe pitched in with 4 catches for 40 yards (10.0 avg) with a TD grab. The Chiefs finished up this game with 188 total yards on offense (29 rushing, 159 passing) as they only had possession of the football for 20:11!
Safety Mike Brown (12 tackles) and LB Demorrio Williams (10 tackles) led the way for the Chiefs’ D in this game. Linebacker Derrick Johnson only had 3 tackles but he also had a interception that he returned 70 yards. Safety Jon McGraw recovered a blocked punt in the end zone scoring the Chiefs a TD. The Ravens finished up with 501 total yards on offense (198 rushing, 303 passing) in this game so the Chiefs D still needs a lot of work.