Grade The Kansas City Chiefs Performance Against The San Diego Chargers

by Joel Thorman on Nov 1, 2011 3:30 PM CDT

The Kansas City Chiefs did a lot of really good things against the San Diego Chargers and a couple of near-disastrous things as well. Overall, though, KC played well enough to win (and that Philip Rivers fumble helped, too).

So what's your grade for the Chiefs?

Things I liked: 82 yards and a touchdown for Jonathan Baldwin; Jackie Battle's runs on the final drive; Chiefs offense on third down; Tamba Hali; Derrick Johnson; Brandon Flowers; Chiefs offense in overtime; Kendrick Lewis; Romeo Crennel; Fast start

Things I didn't like: Rivers' 369 yards passing; Four turnovers; Third quarter; Nine penalties

I think my grade is going to come in right around a high B. The Chiefs had the lead or were tied for the entire game and jumped out to a 10-0 start, which was exactly what they needed. There was some offensive inconsistency throughout the second and third quarter but the Chiefs did enough to come out on top.

What's your grade?

Poll

Grade the Chiefs performance against the Chargers.

A

220 votes

B

1303 votes

C

479 votes

D

12 votes

F

4 votes

2018 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 45 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

A bulk of why I gave a B

was the insane amount of 3rd and forever-long’s we gave up. No reason to give up 3rd and 18… and it felt like we gave up several of those… I wanted to punch a baby-seal every time it happened.

by Ochophosphate on Nov 1, 2011 3:37 PM CDT reply actions

This^

by KCChef on Nov 1, 2011 4:10 PM CDT up reply actions

Officiating?!

Everyone kept saying how lucky the Chiefs were to get away last night, but I feel like they got jipped all game. That fumble call on McCluster was up there with one of the worst calls I’ve ever seen in my life. I was watching the game at BWW and when we saw the replay the whole place let out a sigh of relief only to watch the worst non-reversal ever be called. THEN they reversed the call on Cassel’s imcomplete pass. I’m sorry, but a ball doesn’t fly forward 10-15 yards with someone hitting your arm in the opposite direction. Awful call. Hali got held I would say a good 30-40% of the Defensive plays. The pass from Rivers to Brinkley at the 2 yard line at near the end of the game was incomplete after watching the replay. He never maintained control of the ball through the process of going down. The ball actually bounced on the turf. I was upset the Chiefs didn’t challenge that. I’m normally very unbiased when it comes to officiating, but that was just awful. There were a few bad calls the other way as well. I didn’t think Gate’s push-off was enough to draw a flag but it did. I guess my point is that the Chiefs won despite all things going against them. It wasn’t luck, it was just grit and determination to overcome some pretty awful calls.

by Nathan4288 on Nov 1, 2011 3:40 PM CDT reply actions 6 recs

To be Honest ...There appeared to be "Make Up " Calls that helped us too...That there had to be was the real ass-chapper...

by KCChef on Nov 1, 2011 4:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Green and The Chiefs deserve an A for totally turning their season around.

It can’t be easy to eliminate the doubt when the overall tone of the game was so San Diego biased, they could quit like the fans did.

by Steve_Chiefs on Nov 1, 2011 4:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Amen

twas a terrible call on the Dexter fumble. How you review that and say his back doesn’t constitute him being down is beyond me. TERRIBLE!!!!!!

by hayoli on Nov 1, 2011 11:15 PM CDT up reply actions

This was an average performance

We are a miracle away from losing this game. But the D played better than the offense as usual. 1 TD in 9 red zone visits? Man oh man

When you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail.

Jamaal above all. #25 ftw.

CHIEFS WILL!

by NJChieffan16 on Nov 1, 2011 3:41 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

Inside the 34 yd line, not red zone

When you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail.

Jamaal above all. #25 ftw.

CHIEFS WILL!

by NJChieffan16 on Nov 1, 2011 3:41 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Brinkley never woulda got in

if Sabby Piscatelli was still alive

by ExtraMetal on Nov 1, 2011 4:10 PM CDT up reply actions

But we are a good officiated game away from not needing a miracle.

I don't have a catchy, catch phrase.

by dbakerku on Nov 1, 2011 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions

I voted B but Could easily go with C

Overall we got it done, our guys didn’t quit even when it seemed everyone else was ready to. However our offense disappearing for 2+ quarters? When your D gets you the ball, get us some points, too many 3 & outs. Had our offense played consistent from 1st-4th I think we blow out the Chargers, even with the bad calls.

Our defense was dominate no doubt, but giving up the 3rd & long has got to not happen as often as it did, I put some of that on our offense for not letting the D get more rest by sustaining drives.

This game could have easily gone the other way and almost did, which makes the victory that much more sweet.

by Spiderwomn69 on Nov 1, 2011 3:48 PM CDT reply actions

I give the magical properties of the Beard an A

but the team a C+.. That was an ugly ugly win.

BOOM!

by 808NaNz808 on Nov 1, 2011 3:55 PM CDT reply actions

Super fun/stressful game to watch.

But the performance as a whole was probably a “C”

999,999,999 times out of 1,000,000,000 Rivers takes the ball from centre, falls forward to set up the field goal and we lose. Defense played very good based on the situation the lack of consistant offense put them in, but we are lucky to get the win there. Yes there was some bad calls, but they went both ways.

"He that hath a beard is more than a youth, and he that hath no beard is less than a man" - Bill Shakespeare

by craig in calgary on Nov 1, 2011 3:58 PM CDT reply actions

'Cept the 3rd & Zip Code Completions...

by KCChef on Nov 1, 2011 4:13 PM CDT up reply actions

pretty much this

but the game made me feel A+++ Afterwards. I will say another thing too. Most people will make this game seem like the Chargers killed themselves, but we were even on turnovers and we could have been even on penalties. The difference was Tamba Hali forcing almost half of there’s. Without Hali, we don’t win. He gets an A+ for sure. I’d give the team a C+

by Artimus Clyde on Nov 1, 2011 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Gave them a B

Would have been a C but can’t do that when you win. imo

by KC Scout on Nov 1, 2011 4:05 PM CDT reply actions

I'm There Too...^

by KCChef on Nov 1, 2011 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions

I would have no idea how to go about compiling it

but I would really love to see the statistics for Jackie Battles rushing. It seems as though he is a much better runner when he is rushing to outside(off a pitch).

by dbaty7 on Nov 1, 2011 4:08 PM CDT reply actions

^ Why for the Love Of All That is Holy does It Take Our OC three Quarters to Figure This Out !?!!!...To McCluster Too !!!...

by KCChef on Nov 1, 2011 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Debbie Downer here

I am still not drinking the Jack Battle Koolaid. He doesn’t hit the holes very fast, he really isn’t a downhill runner but he does seem to be effective in late game situations where defenses are tired, or looking pass.

I don’t think he has what it takes to be an every-down bell cow because he doesn’t make something out of nothing which the best runners do. He’s better than TJ2.0, but he’s never going to be “the guy”

"He that hath a beard is more than a youth, and he that hath no beard is less than a man" - Bill Shakespeare

by craig in calgary on Nov 1, 2011 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions

His closing is by far the highlight of his game so far.

He’s been impressive lately closing games. We won’t know if he’s the guy until the end of the season IMO. I sure hope he is. Him and Charles next year, two headed monster. Here’s for hoping.

"We couldn't beat the Chiefs, but we damn near killed their horse"
John Madden 1975 Chiefs-42 Raiders-10

by Chiefs_40 on Nov 1, 2011 4:24 PM CDT up reply actions

I think Battle and JC could become a great tandem, even better than JC and TJ last year

Do we go fetal and beg for mercy? Or do we pick up that broken piece of pipe laying on the ground and come up swinging? I choose pipe.
Sober (again) since January 10th, 2011.

by nateforchiefs on Nov 2, 2011 12:08 AM CDT up reply actions

Defense gets a B+.

The offense, not so much. One of these days the offensive inconsistency is going to bite us in the ass big time. It will probably be just exactly when we need a win. Offense gets a D. Certain members of the offense played well, however.

"The Hammer"

by G.L. on Nov 1, 2011 4:10 PM CDT reply actions

Our Rookie Overall did Well...Dropped Sideline Pass When It Hits You in The Hands WillP/O "The Bearded One...

by KCChef on Nov 1, 2011 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Bite us in the head

kinda like the Ravens game to end the season. I agree on that one. Not sure what we need to do to improve that offense. The line gave time, Cassel really did deliver, and we have a talented receiving core. Oh wait, we are missing the run game. Hopefully a Charles battle tandem will deliver better results. Especially if Moeaki is back.

by hayoli on Nov 1, 2011 11:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Christmas Wishlist

A young, creative, and ballsy OC.

I hate waiting.

by WMR on Nov 1, 2011 4:16 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

I 'd Give The Crowd an A+...They were Effective From The First Snap !!!...Congrats to All That Attended...

by KCChef on Nov 1, 2011 4:18 PM CDT reply actions

We made a lot of mistakes but outplayed the former division leaders.

If you want to grade it on excitement: A+

"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram

by citadelchief on Nov 1, 2011 4:19 PM CDT reply actions

Hard for me to grade

With all those strange calls by the refs

I think Thomas Jones would have better success in Bodybuilder competitions than he is havin right now in the NFL!

by LookListenLearn on Nov 1, 2011 4:19 PM CDT reply actions

Defense played bend don’t break.

Offense was Jekyll and Hyde.

Time management was horrible, again.

Blitzing wasn’t that good.

Special Teams were good / great. Deep punts and kickoffs. DMC almost broke a few of them.

by kc571 on Nov 1, 2011 4:20 PM CDT reply actions

I would give one of my toes if they would get the plays into Matt sooner.

Tired of Matt looking frustrated as hell because he only has 10 seconds to get the offense set, look at the D, etc. I don’t blame Matt for being pissed. Get the stinking play in sooner fellows. The game is hard enough as it is, why make it harder.

"We couldn't beat the Chiefs, but we damn near killed their horse"
John Madden 1975 Chiefs-42 Raiders-10

by Chiefs_40 on Nov 1, 2011 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Colquitt is The Man !!!...^ Succup his Twin Brother...

by KCChef on Nov 1, 2011 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions

A+

because we won. A win is an A in my book. Plus we were playing against the Chargers and the officials the whole game.

by Chiefsdodgerslakers2415 on Nov 1, 2011 4:30 PM CDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs

Offense has to play better

D is playing about as good as it can with the weakness at safety.. Offense still is streaky

by bonesjackson on Nov 1, 2011 4:34 PM CDT reply actions

Breakdown

Special teams: A
Defense: B+
Offense: C-
Playcalling: C+
Useage of Carrier pigeons to call in plays: F-

"He that hath a beard is more than a youth, and he that hath no beard is less than a man" - Bill Shakespeare

by craig in calgary on Nov 1, 2011 4:36 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

H/T Walter Football on "Carrier pigeons"

I was going to use smoke signals, but that seemed more appropriate.

"He that hath a beard is more than a youth, and he that hath no beard is less than a man" - Bill Shakespeare

by craig in calgary on Nov 1, 2011 4:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Chinese whisper

the expat formally known as Chiefsinchina

by Shanghai_Chiefs on Nov 1, 2011 8:36 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

^ Agree...

by KCChef on Nov 1, 2011 5:04 PM CDT up reply actions

agree, but hate to give any love or credit to walter football for anything other than being a waste of internet space.

Also missed

Officiating:F

Team Pioli/Haley. Decade of the Chiefs.
Team Colquitt

by SDChief on Nov 1, 2011 5:40 PM CDT up reply actions

D

It’s a passing grade I mean we did win… to me after the ten points in the beginning our plan went from score to ultra conservative and it sucked all the life out…. but they came back to the score plan in o/t…thank God ….we got Lucky getting that chance…..

by SeeNred on Nov 1, 2011 5:39 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

I really think those officials, on a national stage like that, will have a lot of explaining to do. they did a poor job on both ends

Team Pioli/Haley. Decade of the Chiefs.
Team Colquitt

by SDChief on Nov 1, 2011 5:41 PM CDT reply actions

I gave them a B

I took points off for a few things:

1. Poor pass rush outside of Tamba. It felt like Rivers had all night to throw each pass.

2. 3rd and long Defense. This could have been helped with better pass rush.

3. Offense was mediocre. Looked good at times and awful for most of the game. I wish this were more consistent.

by Bonofied on Nov 1, 2011 5:42 PM CDT reply actions

Oh and the playcalling process was attrocious.

by Bonofied on Nov 1, 2011 5:43 PM CDT up reply actions

VOAT 5 I mean B

Pros: Far fewer head scratchers, won the game, defense was lights out considering who we have at safety, Chargers weren’t prepared for 5 quarters of Jackie Battle

Cons: Too many drops, Tommie Harris owned us up the middle, Matt Cassel was about to explode with the slow play calling, two flea flickers (wtf?)

by NotAGoodName on Nov 1, 2011 9:11 PM CDT reply actions

C

I give us a C because the offense started great, but we cant afford to stall out for 2 quarters of the game. Even if they avoid some of those 3 and outs I feel better. Two quarters of anemic offensive play, full of 3 and outs earns a C. Couple that with a defense that played with similar inconsistency by suddenly giving up 3rd and really long plays, and you have a C.

by hayoli on Nov 1, 2011 11:23 PM CDT reply actions