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The Dixon Five: Chiefs beat 49ers 38-27 1.

Submitted by linchao » Fri 09-Nov-2018, 12:45 Subject Area: General	4 member ratings

Dinking and dunkingJake Roth-USA TODAY SportsOn the opening drive of Sunday’s game White Harrison Butker Jersey , Patrick Mahomes resembled Alex Smith more than himself.Last week, I suggested that the Chiefs might want to consider running the ball a bit more or try to keep Mahomes from swinging for the fences quite so often.This idea was treated with derision by a number of commenters — and I understand their point of view.But here we are a week later, and Andy Reid’s famous scripted plays to begin the game didn’t include deep shots from his new quarterback.The opening touchdown drive wasn’t the longest touchdown drive the Chiefs have run after a kickoff since the season began, but it was close — consuming 4:55 on 11 plays.I’m not suggesting that the Chiefs should revert to this style of play.But they must be able to do it.They aren’t always going to have the luxury of being ahead by multiple scores.Sometimes, they’re going to have to eat clock with a less-commanding lead — or face a defense that will be specifically designed to shut down the Chiefs deep passing game — and the Chiefs must be able to dink and dunk.And score a touchdown anyway.On Sunday, Reid satisfied himself that his offense can successfully operate that way.Perhaps more importantly, he demonstrated to the league’s defensive coordinators that just taking the top off the Chiefs offense isn’t going to work.2. Justin Houston: valuable contributor, or overpaid has-been?Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY SportsI’m starting to see this narrative more and more: that Houston isn’t worth what he’s being paid.He’s no longer interested in being a great player.He’s gotten his payday, and he’s coasting.I will make no attempt to characterize Houston’s state of mind because I don’t have any idea what he’s thinking. And neither do you.There are people who probably know more than we do, but they aren’t talking — and furthermore, they’re not going to start.But I will say this: in two consecutive games White Reggie Ragland Jersey , Houston has made game-changing plays that were nullified by penalties called against the Chiefs secondary.How much of the narrative about the Chiefs defense — and Houston himself — would be different if those plays had counted?Say what you will about Houston.When the game was on the line on Sunday, he made a play.In the fourth quarter, on second-and goal from the 12, Houston changed it to third-and goal-from the 20. It was a play that changed the potential outcome of the game.That’s what he gets paid to do.3. And about that third-and-20...At least for that next play — when Jimmy Garoppolo tried to turn a scramble into a touchdown run, Steven Nelson stood up and made a play, too.By... standing.As the TV commentators correctly pointed out, Nelson made a solid, legal hit on a quarterback who was trying to stretch the play — not one who was surrendering himself.It’s now being reported that the 49ers fear their high-priced franchise quarterback may be lost for the season with an ACL injury.So it’s possible that Garoppolo will have some extra time to consider whether his decision was wise.In the meantime... well done, Mr. Nelson.4. A non-offensive lineDenny Medley-USA TODAY SportsGoing into the game, I pointed out that so far, the Chiefs offensive line — even with Cam Erving at left guard — has provided decent protection for Patrick Mahomes.That continued on Sunday.That’s the first box we all want to see checked on the offensive line’s to-do list.We would Youth Chris Conley Jersey , of course, also like to see the ground game for the Chiefs improve.It’s not acceptable for Kareem Hunt to get 44 yards on 18 carries — especially on a day where two rushers on the opposing team combined for well more than twice that much.I understand that Hunt had nothing to do with how many yards the 49ers gained.But the Chiefs aren’t going to be able to consistently win games with such a lopsided ratio of rushing yards.Much of that responsibility falls on the offensive line — and they need to do better.But let’s give them credit: when it really mattered — just like with Houston and Nelson — the offensive line did its job.Hunt was unobstructed on both of his touchdown runs, and the blocking on Hunt’s 10-yard run to seal the victory was a thing of beauty.Men of the offensive trenches: keep watching film of those plays.That’s the way to do it.5. No defense for the defenseJay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY SportsOther than their ability of stand up when there’s a lot on the line — where previously noted — there’s not much good to say about the Chiefs defense.Once again, we saw the unit give up a lot of yards by exhibiting poor tackling and blowing coverages.But it’s worth noting that the Chiefs defense seems to be able to do a decent job — which is all that is really required of them for the team to be successful, given the explosive offense Reid has assembled.They just can’t do it for a whole game. They put in a solid quarter against the Chargers, three solid quarters against the Steelers, and two solid quarters against the 49ers.If they could just play with more consistency, there might not be a lot to worry about.But we haven’t seen that yet — and the clock is ticking.The Broncos will be a difficult opponent, but the Jaguars are now looming large on the schedule, too.Whatever it is, they need to figure out White Terrance Smith Jersey , and they’d better do it soon.Arrowheadlines: ESPN says Chiefs operating at “higher octane level” with Mahomes The latestChiefs’ Tyreek Hill had the two fastest recorded speeds in Sunday’s games | Kansas City StarTime to overreact about NFL Week 1: Should Le’Veon be sweating? | ESPNThe Chiefs gave us a peek at the future of NFL offenses | USA TodayNFL Power Rankings Week 2: Latest Outlook and 2018-19 Super Bowl Odds | Bleacher ReportNFL schedule and scores 2018: The best and worst moments from Sunday in Week 1 | SB NationQB Patrick Mahomes lifts Chiefs in second career start | ESPNMonday Morning Digest: The Steelers and Le’Veon Bell Are Risking It All | Bleacher ReportNFL Week 2 early odds: Patriots not favored to win for first time since 2016 | CBS SportsFescoe in the Morning 09/10 - Mike Parson | 610 Sports RadioAround the leagueAaron Rodgers is NFL’s Michael Jordan; Cowboys in big trouble | NFLThe NFL may have sent fake fan letters to the FCC in 2014 to keep a sports blackout rule | The VergeCBS, Fox see ratings gains in Week 1 of NFL season | USA TodayWATCH: 5 key plays from Broncos victory against Seattle | The Denver PostThe N.F.L.’s New Tackling Rule: The Good, the Bad and the Confusing | The New York TimesBears defense runs out of gas, but when tank is full, look out | ESPNPatriots RB Jeremy Hill (ACL) out for the season | NFLMatt Nagy says he apologized to Bears for questionable playcalls | Larry Brown SportsOfficiating chief: Refs erred on call against Browns’ Myles Garrett | NFLIn case you missed it at Arrowhead PrideThe Re-Up: Tyreek Hill was excellent Sunday, and we still don’t know his ceilingYes, Andy Reid says Eric Berry is still day-to-dayChiefs vs. Chargers: Making sense of snap counts...Social Media Information:AP Facebook Page: Click here to like our pageAP Instagram: Follow @ArrowheadPrideAP Twitter: Follow @ArrowheadPrideAP Editor-in-Chief: Pete Sweeney: Follow @pgsween610 Sports Twitter: Follow @610SportsKC

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