Your Week 14 Glass of Kool Aid

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Well that was ugly wasn't it?  If you're hoping that this week's glass of Kool Aid is going to make everything seem great after two horrible losses I'm afraid you may need to spike your Kool Aid with something a little stronger. 

The point of these posts are not to live in denial of where we are at, but to try and point out some bright spots in the carnage to help keep our sanity until better days come.  A lot of these points are ones that have been discussed since the game, but I tried to pull some numbers to back up what people have been saying.  I also hope there may be a thing or two you have not heard or thought of before.  So here we go, your week 14 serving of Kool Aid.

• Let's start with the obvious.  Tamba Hali was fantastic.  Here are a few numbers for you.  Hali's 6.5 sacks may be a ways off the league lead, but when you consider the fact that he is the only pass rusher that opposing offenses have to plan for and that he is almost always held, it is still a good number.  For some perspective, Joey Porter currently has 7 sacks and former number one overall pick Mario Williams only has 6.  Hali's 4 forced fumbles are tied for 5th in the league.
• Brandon Flowers continues to look like a future pro bowl corner.  His 17 passes defended is tied for 11th in the league.  That's more then Terence Newman (15), Champ Bailey (11), Quintin Jammer (10), and only one less then Charles Woodson(18).  He is the only defensive back in the league with at least 10 passes defended, 2 interceptions, two forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries.  The other thing that has impressed me with Flowers is his tackling.  He is strong enough to take down most guys on his own and when he does take on a bigger guy he is smart about it and takes their legs out.
• Chris Chambers only had two receptions for 11 yards on Sunday.  Despite that, his 330 yards receiving over the past five weeks (since he became a Chief) is good for 21st in the league over that span.  His 3 TDs are good for 6th in the league over that same span.  Those may not be dominant numbers for a number one WR, but it is certainly solid for a guy that will be our number two when Bowe returns in two weeks.
• A lot of people have commented about the improved offensive line play these last couple games.  Here are some numbers to back that up on the pass protection end.  Over the first 10 games this year the Chiefs gave up 37 sacks.  That is 3.7 sacks per game.  Over the past two weeks they have given up only 3, or 1.5 sacks per game.  Those two games were against San Diego and Denver who are rated number 7 and number 5 in the league in team sacks.
• Finally, a little statistical data supporting the fact that the next two games are ones we can win.  Take a look at these two teams:

• Team A: 18th rated pass offense, 22nd rated rush offense, 4th rated pass defense, 24th rated rush defense.
• Team B:  28th rated pass offense, 19th rated rush offense, 3rd rated pass defense, 32nd rated rush defense.

Team A is Washington and Team B is Buffalo.  So Buffalo has a comparable rushing attack and pass defense, but a worse passing offense and rush defense then a team we beat on the road.  Here's another one.

• Team A: 32nd rated pass offense, 20th rated rush offense, 18th rated pass defense, 30th rated rush defense.
• Team B:  31st rated pass offense, 23rd rated rush offense, 26th rated pass defense, 29th rated rush defense.

Team A is Oakland and Team B is Cleveland.  So Cleveland is about equal or a little worse in all four areas then a team that we beat once (and actually should of beat twice).

So there you go AP.  Another batch of KoolAid to help with the depression that may be setting in after the last two weeks.  We may not be there yet, but there are always rays of hope if you are willing to look for them.  Have a good week and try to stay positive.

PORKCHOP OUT