Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 8/19

Good morning! Here is today's Kansas City Chiefs news. It's not all bad. Enjoy!

The game's first play would be a sign of things to come. Rams quarterback Sam Bradford floated a pass down the right sideline to Danny Amendola. Kendrick Lewis stayed with Amendola down the sideline, but the receiver pulled away late and hauled in a sliding catch for a 35-yard gain.

Kansas City was just a step slower than the Rams on Saturday. During that opening drive, St. Louis drove 80 yards and scored in just under two minutes. Their second drive - which started in Chiefs territory after a Jonathan Baldwin fumble - had the same result.

Chiefs Fall To Rams 31-17 from The Mothership

On Saturday night in St. Louis, the Chiefs got an early dose of reality. They're not as good as they appeared against the Cardinals, and they're not as bad as they occasionally looked against the Rams.

Watching was probably painful if you care about the Chiefs; if you've suffered through four of the past five years and, who am I kidding, the last 41 championship-free seasons.

First-round pick Dontari Poe got handled again, second-year quarterback Ricky Stanzi bombed in his audition to be the team's backup, and Crennel's defense got knocked down. Sam Bradford looked like Dan Marino, Steven Jackson did his best Jim Brown impression, and Danny Amendola clown-suited the Chiefs' secondary. It didn't help that third-year safety Kendrick Lewis trotted to the sideline after reinjuring the shoulder that required offseason surgery, and slammed his helmet on the turf.

Chiefs Fans Need To Keep Preseason In Perspective from KC Star

KC Star Photo Gallery: Chiefs 31, Rams 17 [sic]

KCChiefs.com Video: From The Podium: Romeo Crennel 8-18-12

KCChiefs.com Video: Inside The Locker Room: Chiefs vs Rams

KCChiefs.com Video: Hillis One-Yard TD Run At St. Louis

KCChiefs.com Video: Quinn 38-Yard TD To Horne At St. Louis

NFL.com Video: Chiefs vs. Rams Highlights

The aura of invincibility the Chiefs seemed to build around them last week was stripped away Saturday night, and it took the previously punchless St. Louis Rams very little time to do it.

The Chiefs allowed two touchdowns and committed a turnover in the first five minutes of their preseason game. They fought back briefly but a disastrous start to the second half, one that might have ended Ricky Stanzi's bid to become the No. 2 quarterback, sealed the verdict, a 31-17 defeat.

Chiefs Lose Ground In Preseason Loss To Rams from KC Star

Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe wasn't on hand a day after signing his $9.5 million tender, but he'd better hit the playbook and be in shape if not for Friday's game against Seattle or even the preseason finale at Green Bay, but for the regular-season opener against Atlanta. Jon Baldwin still doesn't look ready for prime time, and Steve Breaston hasn't caught a ball in two preseason games.

Chiefs Blitz: Charles Looking Up, Defense Pointing Down from KC Star

Boss' Night: TE Kevin Boss recorded four receptions for 62 yards (15.5 avg.) to lead all Chiefs receivers in the contest. This is the second preseason contest in which a TE has led the team in receiving (TE Steve Maneri, three receptions for 69 yards for a 23.0 avg. vs. Arizona on Aug. 10.)

Post-Game Notes: Chiefs At Rams from The Mothership

It couldn't have gone much worse for Ricky Stanzi in his bid to seize the Chiefs' backup quarterback job.

His stat line was gruesome in the Chiefs' 31-17 preseason loss to the St. Louis Rams on Saturday night at the Edward Jones Dome.

Three completions in four attempts for 24 yards. One interception. One lost fumble. Four sacks for minus-32 yards.

Chiefs' Stanzi Struggles As No. 2 QB vs. Rams from KC Star

Bowe was able to connect with many of his teammates Friday afternoon prior to the Chiefs charter flight departing for St. Louis. He passed a physical and conditioning test at The University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex shortly after signing his one-year franchise tender and stayed back at the facility to work with strength coaches while the rest of the team traveled for preseason game action.

"He came in and met with everybody and was happy to be back," said wide receiver Dexter McCluster. "We're happy he's back too. He looked good to me, even showed us his abs to prove he'd stayed in shape."

Chiefs Ready To Get Bowe Up And Running from The Mothership

Bowe will be a welcome sight for the offense. Though Jon Baldwin performed well in the off-season program, mini-camp and on the practice fields of training camp, he fumbled on Friday night after catching his only pass in two preseason games.

"We're happy to have him back," Cassel said of Bowe. "We've got to get him acclimated, and I know the coaching staff and myself will do whatever we can to get him up to speed."

Chiefs Players Say Bowe Looks Ready For Action from KC Star

Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel began his postgame remarks by ripping the effort. Safety Kendrick Lewis aggravated a shoulder injury in the second quarter.

"Well, it was not very good tonight. And that's being a little generous to say that," Crennel said. "When you're breaking camp and doing all those kinds of things, it just shows we're not mature enough yet. No one really played good."

NFL Recap - Kansas City Chiefs at St. Louis Rams from CBS Sports

This is the best overall roster in the AFC West. It is one of the deepest rosters in the AFC. There is proven talent throughout the roster and the team has the right mix of veteran and young players. Still, the Chiefs are the youngest team in the NFL. They are the only team in the league not to have a player over the age of 30.

Camp Confidential: Kansas City Chiefs from ESPN

Offensively, starting quarterback Matt Cassel put together his second strong preseason performance, completing 13 of 18 passes for 142 yards.

Here's the deal, folks: Preseason games don't matter much, but Cassel is looking good and that's paramount for the Chiefs.

Observation Deck: Chiefs-Rams from ESPN