Why the Chiefs should have won against the Patriots... and why they didn't

by bigknoxy on Sep 9, 2008 11:16 AM CDT

I posted this over at my site too (www.kcchiefsfootball.com) but thought it might be a good discussion point here.

I just thought I would make a nice little list on why the Chiefs should have won against the Patriots and why they didn't. I won't explain these very much, but I don't really feel like they need to be explained, they pretty much speak for themselves.

Why the Chiefs should have won against the Patriots:

The Chiefs won the turnover battle 2 to 1.
The Chiefs won the Time of Possession battle.
Tom Brady was injured early in the game and the Pats had to rely on Matt Cassel.
Matt Cassel is a backup at NE and was a backup in college at USC.

Why the Chiefs didn't win:

Dwayne Bowe had way too many drops, at least 4, including the possible game tying TD catch
Croyle was injured (although I am not totally convinced Croyle would have led us to a TD drive like Huard did). So this one is more based on the theory that our starting QB went out.
Inability to convert TO's into points. When you force a team that only lost 6 fumbles all of last season into 2 early fumbles you need to convert them to points
LJ had less than 100 yards rushing. I'm not sure exactly on the stat but I know that in games where LJ gets to the century mark the Chiefs tend to have a lot more success.

Do you agree with all of these? Do you have any that you would add or take away?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arrowhead Pride's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Arrowhead Pride writers or editors.

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I liked our chances more on a final drive with Croyle

As previously stated, Croyle hath failed the PARADE, but for those last 2 minute game winners you need your whole team to “want it”/be confident/play with authority (however you want to characterize it). At least with Brodie even if he’s bouncing balls off people’s hand there’s a sense “this is our time.” Huard knows how to run a 2 minute drill, and he did it well, but I’m not sure Bowe doesn’t come down with that ball if Brodie throws it, then again, they all seemed to catch Huard’s less-lazer-like passes.

Let me put it this way: Damon Huard is morale poison.

by Official Arrowhead Pride Parade on Sep 9, 2008 12:22 PM CDT reply actions

Not the guy, just the fact that we're in that situation

It’s not like Tom Brady coming in for Drew Bledsoe is it?

by Official Arrowhead Pride Parade on Sep 9, 2008 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah....

Huard is no Brady, that’s for sure.

http://www.kcchiefsfootball.com/
Go Chiefs!

by bigknoxy on Sep 9, 2008 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Maybe it doesn't make sense, but I completely agree with you.

I would much rather have Croyle in there, even if HUARD 4 MVPZ is a better QB. It just feels like so much more of a rebuilding effort when you are going with a young, potential franchise QB. With Damon, it seems we are heading two directions at once; trying to rebuild on one hand while also giving off an impression, no matter how false it may be, that we want to win now.

And again, I agree with you on the D-Bowe pass too. All of the WRs and TEs, particularly Tony G last season, commented about how much harder Croyle’s balls are (refrain from sexual jokes, please…;) and that it takes an adjustment period to get used to catching them as opposed to Damon’s floaters. So, basically, maybe Huard’s loft on the pass hurt Bowe’s chances of catching it. Not to make excuses or anything, just saying that I would much rather have Croyle in there than Huard.

by rockchalk on Sep 9, 2008 9:37 PM CDT up reply actions

I still think

people are giving Croyle way too much acclaim, & Huard not enough. Croyle went 11 for 19, 88 yards (I think), 0 TD, 0 Int. What’d that do for us,…nothing! Yes Huard threw a pick, but after coming in for Croyle, threw 5 for 5, which coincidentally, was all he needed to put one in the endzone! AND Huard would have won that game if Bowe hadn’t dropped that pass on 1st & goal. You can’t put that drop on Huard. The rock was right there in Bowe’s hands, and HE let it go! Croyle hadn’t done anything in the way of putting TD’s on the board, Huard did, & Huard threw a game tying pass….that was dropped by Bowe. Croyle’s an injury prone hack, & the Chiefs need to move on!

by woodmann on Sep 9, 2008 1:05 PM CDT reply actions