The Kansas City Chiefs lost to the Cincinnati Bengals, 36-21.
Find the stats HERE.
What we learned...
Touchdowns > Field goals
Chiefs kicker Cairo Santos had SEVEN field goals in the game. That's nice for him but that was the problem for the Chiefs; they couldn't find the end zone. The worst field goal decision came when the Chiefs were down by 14 points with nine minutes left in the game. Andy Reid decided to kick the field goal there instead of go for the touchdown on fourth down. I'm not really sure what he accomplished by kicking it there (besides Cairo Santos' franchise record for field goals in a game ... the NFL record is eight)
Is there something wrong with the defense?
Maybe? I don't know. Part of me wants to write this off as facing Aaron Rodgers and Andy Dalton, who is one of the hottest quarterbacks in the league right now. Another part of me wonders if there is more to it. The Chiefs have good corners and good safeties (at least I think). They're supposed to be one of the best defenses in the league. Why can't they step up and make a play? Where are the turnovers? Is this a scheme issue? They're not really a 30-point a game defense, are they?
Travis Kelce's fumbles crop up
Remember the Arizona game last year where Kelce lost a critical fumble (and we're not sure if it was really a fumble)? The same thing happened in this game as Kelce fumbled, which led to a Bengals touchdown. CBS's ref expert, Mike Carey, predicted the call would be overturned and ruled NOT a fumble because Kelce's arm was down. The refs on the field didn't see it that way and ruled it a fumble. The Bengals went down and scored. It was a big play at the time because the Chiefs were within six points.
Chiefs passing game came alive
For the second straight week, Jeremy Maclin surpasses the century mark. He had eight receptions for 140 yards last week and 11 catches for 148 yards this week. Alex Smith looked sharper and stretched the field more than he has in any game that I can remember. He finished with 376 yards passing on 31-of-45 passing. That was legitimate progress ... which didn't matter because they lost the game. It's not easy but the Chiefs can move the ball with this offensive line.
1-3 is a big hole for the Chiefs
The Chiefs move to 1-3 on the season after losing their third straight game to an unbeaten team. They are not this bad; they caught two of the best teams in the league at home in Green Bay and Cincinnati. But it tells you that, while the Chiefs could possibly end up competing for a playoff spot, they are not on the level of the league's best teams. The Chiefs play the Bears next week, which should be a win. It should get them on the right track. If they don't, it's going to be a long season.