Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 9/8

Chiefs Fall To Titans 26-10 from The Associated Press via The Mothership

Jake Locker made a strong case for a new contract from the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

Alex Smith did very little to show the Kansas City Chiefs that he deserves his new deal.

Locker threw for 266 yards and two touchdowns, Smith was intercepted three times and the Titans rolled to a 26-10 victory in coach Ken Whisenhunt's regular-season debut with Tennessee.

Locker picked apart a Kansas City defense that lost Pro Bowl linebacker Derrick Johnson and starting defensive tackle Mike DeVito to Achilles injuries.

Chiefs Derrick Johnson out with Achilles injury from The Associated Press via The Mothership

Johnson, who is nearing Gary Spani's franchise record for career tackles, fell in a heap in the middle of the field without anybody touching him. He did not appear to be in much pain while being tended to by trainers, but was loaded onto a cart and driven to the locker room.

Chiefs vs. Titans Game At A Glance from The Mothership

Dontari Poe spoke about losing Johnson after the game.

"It's hard to see him go down," Poe said. "I know how hard he works at it. I know the amount of work he puts in so it's really tough on him right now. So we just go to keep motivating him to get better."

Cornerback Sean Smith echoed Poe's sentiment, but said the next guy has to be ready.

"The next guy has to step in and not necessarily be DJ but just do a job," Smith said. "Go out there and be himself, and let the rest of us rally around him."

Postgame Facts And Stats from The Mothership

HOUSTON DROPS QUARTERBACK: LB Justin Houston recorded 2.0 sacks (-3.0 yards) of QB Jake Locker in today's game. Houston now has 28.5 career sacks (-174.5 yards) in four seasons with the Chiefs (2011-14). It is his eighth-career multi-sack game. Houston added three solo tackles in the contest.

Andy Reid Post Game Press Conference from The Mothership

Jamaal Charles got three touches at the beginning and only eight after that, what was the reason? "They took away a lot of what we had designed for him. That was one of the reasons."

Not to make excuses for not having Dwayne Bowe, we've known that for a long time, but it seemed like it was Donnie Avery or nothing down the field - 13 targets. "I didn't do a very good job there. Could have used our short intermediate game better, probably could have run it more. Not a very good job on my part."

Alex Smith Post Game Press Conference from The Mothership

Were your interceptions due to feeling like you had to make a play? "No, to be honest, the one right before half, it was tough. The play call came in, and we got what we were looking for. Really it was a miscommunication between me and Donnie (Avery) as far as where he was going and what I was thinking. It cost us three points there right before the half. Those are the little things that add up and all the sudden you look up and the scoreboard looks like that. The second one, when I threw that ball I didn't see the corner. I was looking at the safety and I thought Donnie (Avery) had him. I was just trying to give him a catchable ball and the corner made a good play on it. Then the third one there at the end, the tipped ball, It's tough. Any time you lose the turnover battle like that, three-zip, you're not going to win many of those."

Recap of Arrowhead's Game Day Activities from The Mothership

There were tons of things happening at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, including the start of a new tradition, the pregame parade. The parade features Chiefs Cheerleaders, Warpaint, Rumble and the Red Coaters. The group begins at the Hy-Vee Gate and travels on Lancer Lane to Gate F, through the Hall of Honor presented by Time Warner Cable and then ends at Gate D.

To start the game, world-renowned singer Ronan Tynan performed the national anthem. Tynan has an incredible story; he has 18 gold medals from the Paralympics, became the first disabled person to ever be admitted to the National College of Physical Education, performed at the funeral of President Ronald Reagan in 2004 and is a world-renowned singer.

KCChiefs.com Photo Gallery: Chiefs vs. Titans

KCChiefs.com Photo Gallery: Cheerleaders Chiefs vs. Titans

KCChiefs.com Photo Gallery: Chiefs vs. Titans Tailgating

KCChiefs.com Video: Andy Reid/Alex Smith Postgame Press Conference Mashup

KCChiefs.com Video: Postgame from the Locker Room

KCChiefs.com Video: Week 1: Titans vs. Chiefs Recap

KCChiefs.com Video: Chiefs Postgame Report: Week One

KMBC Video: Exodus comes early as Chiefs struggle in season opener

KMBC Video: Len Dawson: Chiefs 'have got to improve tremendously'

Titans dominate Chiefs en route to 26-10 win from Chiefs Spin

There's no need to paint a pretty picture when it's impossible to hide the obvious.

The Chiefs (0-1) were outplayed in every facet of the game during the Tennessee Titans' (1-0) one-sided 26-10 win at Arrowhead Stadium.

First downs? Titans 24, Chiefs 15. Total net yards? Titans 405, Chiefs 245. Time of possession? Titans 37:44, Chiefs 22:16.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid explained it best in five words during his postgame press conference.

"This was a rough game," Reid said.

It's come full circle: The Chiefs now look like the teams they beat up on last year from FS Kansas City

One song in -- granted, it was a lousy bleeping song -- and they're already talking about breaking up the band. Guys, guys, guys, we haven't even gotten to Frankie Hammond Jr.'s theremin solo yet!

"We can get worse or we can get good," Kansas City tailback Jamaal Charles said after his Chiefs dropped a 26-10 stunner to Tennessee in the season opener at Arrowhead Stadium. "My job is to get the team good."

Next up: A trip to Denver.

It can get a lot worse before it gets better, kids.

"It's a long season," said Charles, who touched the ball Sunday a paltry 11 times -- just seven of them carries -- for an even paltrier 34 yards. "And I want the ball more, and coach (Andy Reid) knows that."

Rapid Reaction: Kansas City Chiefs from ESPN

While it's dangerous to make too much of a season opener, it's not too early to think the Chiefs are in some trouble. Their schedule takes a decided turn for the difficult now. They have road games against the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins in the next two weeks, followed by a home game against the New England Patriots and two more road games with the San Francisco 49ers and San Diego Chargers. A sub-.500 record through six games looks unavoidable.

Chiefs highs and lows from the season opener from Chiefs Spin

The defense as a whole sacked Titans quarterback Jake Locker four times. Linebacker Justin Houston accounted for two of the sacks for losses of 3 yards total. Defensive lineman Allen Bailey tossed Locker for a loss of 10 yards. Defensive end Vance Walker snuck up on Locker behind the line of scrimmage as well for a loss of 10 yards.

Former Chiefs, current Titans leave with fond memories from Chiefs Spin

Titans running back and punt returner Dexter McCluster settled in at 15-yard line to field a punt from Chiefs punter Dustin Colquitt.

The act wasn't new to McCluster, as he has played at Arrowhead Stadium numerous times the previous four seasons.

But the cascade of boos from the end zone immediately put the current Titan on notice he was now in enemy territory.

Chiefs' Johnson Tears Achilles from ESPN

He was replaced in the lineup by James-Michael Johnson, who was claimed off waivers last year.

Chiefs' Derrick Johnson out with Achilles injury from The Associated Press via FS Kansas City

The Kansas City Chiefs will likely be without Pro Bowl linebacker Derrick Johnson and starting defensive tackle Mike DeVito for the remainder of the season.

Johnson and DeVito both ruptured an Achilles tendon during Sunday's 26-10 loss to the Tennessee Titans.

The injuries, which occurred just one quarter apart, happened at virtually the same spot on the field and with almost nobody around them.

Compensating for fallen starters LB Derrick Johnson, Mike DeVito no easy task from Chiefs Spin

The Chiefs need a Plan B, and the team needs it fast to recover from the stunning loss of two defensive starters.

"(Outside linebacker) Derrick Johnson and (defensive end) Mike DeVito ruptured their Achilles tendon," coach Andy Reid announced after Sunday's 26-10 loss to the Tennessee Titans.

The injuries are potentially season ending.

Johnson, a 10th-year pro and undisputed leader on the Chiefs defense, and DeVito are key pieces of defensive coordinator Bob Sutton's scheme, so finding an impact replacement won't be easy.

Tennessee Titans steamroll Chiefs in Kansas City from NFL.com

No team in the NFL had a worse opening week than the Chiefs. Derrick Johnson ruptured his Achilles tendon, and the team's passing game looked just as bad in reality as it does on paper. Defensive lineman Mike DeVito also ruptured his Achilles tendon, the team announced.

Kansas City stunned by Titans in season opener from KC Star via The Wichita Eagle

The Chiefs' blueprint for success in 2013 was a simple one.

Take care of the football. Take the ball away. Make big plays on special teams. Stay healthy. Capitalize on a favorable schedule.

But all that went right during the Chiefs' charmed 11-5 season of a year ago turned on them in a stunning 26-10 loss to the improved Tennessee Titans on Sunday in front of 73,569 disbelieving fans at Arrowhead Stadium.

Titans upset the Chiefs in Kansas City from ProFootballTalk

Week One is too soon to draw any big conclusions about either of these teams, but the Chiefs - last year's biggest surprise - made last year look like a fluke. The Titans looked like they could be a pleasant surprise this year.

Johnson, DeVito likely done for season from ESPN

Rookie kicker Cairo Santos had a difficult NFL debut, making one of two field goal attempts and bouncing both kicks off an upright. But Santos didn't hide from the heat afterward. He patiently answered questions and resolved to do better the next time.

Chiefs paying Smith to be better than this from ESPN

When boiled to its essence, the Kansas City Chiefs recently gave a contract extension to quarterback Alex Smith because of the things he has done exceedingly well.

Those are winning games (fourth among quarterbacks in winning percentage over the previous three years) and protecting the ball (seven interceptions last season and lowest interception rate among starting quarterbacks).

Smith did a rotten job of protecting the ball Sunday against the Tennessee Titans at Arrowhead Stadium.

Rennecke: Williams happy Chiefs sticking with him from St. Cloud Times

Williams knew going in that he had a good shot of sticking with the Chiefs, who opened the season Sunday at Tennessee (Kansas City lost, 26-10).

"I was pretty excited when I found out. I'm just happy I'm still here. I know this system and I'm comfortable here. I'm just looking forward to helping this team out."

The 6-foot, 190-pound Williams played sparingly in the preseason until the Chiefs' final game at Green Bay. That game was a homecoming for Williams, who grew up in Milwaukee.

He had 20 family and friends in attendance at Lambeau Field to watch.

Chiefs rants: Top 5 good, bad of Sunday from The Springfield News-Leader

Well, that was an eyesore. As ugly your high school clunker. As worrisome as a blown tire on the highway.

The questions you have to wonder now, after a 26-10 Kansas City Chiefs loss to the Tennessee Titans, are the natural one: Is the season over already and are they playing for the No. 1 pick in next year's NFL Draft?

Sorry to be doom and gloom, but let's break it down.

Rapid Reaction: Tennessee Titans from ESPN

The Titans started the Ken Whisenhunt era with a thorough victory that came out of a good plan and solid execution. The Chiefs lost a couple of key defenders along the way as Derrick Johnson and Mike DeVito left with injuries. But the Chiefs were flat and were simply outplayed while the Titans did a lot of what they wanted to do.

Three Moments That Made Me Happy as a Titans Fan from Music City Miracles

There's a very good chance that none of these three plays makes a highlight reel, but if you've been following this team on a daily basis, each of these plays should make you confident that the Titans are making serious progress.

Our Tennessee Titans straight-up took care of business this week against the Kansas City Chiefs. While the national expectation was that the Chiefs would take a step backwards from their 11-win season in 2013, those same prognosticators proclaimed Tennessee would dip even further.

Does faith have a place on the sports field? from CNN

American football -- particularly at the NFL level -- requires stamina, which is usually in short supply when you're hungry.

Husain Abdullah, a safety for the Kansas City Chiefs, doesn't let an empty stomach ruin his game. A devout Muslim, he observes Ramadan, which means adhering to a month without food or water during daylight hours.

Far from hurting his performance, Abdullah says the act of fasting actually enhances his game.

Fantasy Football: Matt Ryan, Doug Martin Among Week 1 Studs And Duds from NESN

DUDS

Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs: Things don't look good for Charles and the Chiefs these days. The usual fantasy stud managed just 34 total yards on Sunday as Kansas City fell 26-10 to the lowly Titans. It might be a long season for Charles, who lost several key members of his offensive line this offseason and will be the focal point of opposing defenses every week.

Titans render Jamaal Charles harmless from ESPN

Defensive coordinator Ray Horton said Thursday if the Titans could hold Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles under 100 yards rushing, it would be a victory within the game.

The Titans did a lot better than that, limiting Charles to 19 yards on seven carries and 15 yards on four catches.

Tennessee rendered one of the NFL's most dangerous dual threat backs virtually harmless.

What you need to know about Sunday's injuries from NFL.com

Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson was carted off the field near the end of the first half against the Titans. He did not return to the game -- a 26-10 loss. Chiefs coach Andy Reid later said that Johnson ruptured his Achilles tendon. Fellow starter Mike DeVito also will miss the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon. Brutal day for Kansas City.