The Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Diego Chargers, 33-3, to move to 5-5 on the season. This is their fourth straight victory after starting the season 1-5. They now are a legitimate part of the AFC playoff picture with a big game against the Buffalo Bills coming next week.
The Chiefs lost Charcandrick West and De'Anthony Thomas in the game but the defense played well enough that it didn't matter.
The Chiefs went on the road in Denver and San Diego blew them both out. This team is for real.
What we learned...
Poe Heavy scores a touchdown
The Chiefs Poe Heavy package finally got some Poe in it. On fourth and goal at the 1-yard line, the Chiefs decided to go for it and they lined up with three backs in the backfield - including Dontari Poe. The Chiefs nose tackle took the handoff and barreled over the goal line for the touchdown. It was one of those days...
Chiefs going Refrigerator Perry on 'em RT @JeffPassan You know what's the best kind of touchdown? Fat Guy Touchdown https://t.co/L3JJZr69io
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) November 22, 2015
This Chiefs defense is elite
They're even scoring points! Justin Houston had a pick-six and Dontari Poe ran in a touchdown.
It was so weird seeing them give up 30-plus points in three straight games earlier this year. That wasn't the Chiefs defense. This game right here, that's who the Chiefs defense is. They are elite. The defense didn't create any turnovers (the Chiefs recovered a muffed punt) but they didn't have to. They consistently put pressure on Philip Rivers throughout the game. Rivers, by the way, is on an incredible pace .... until he met the Chiefs defense. Eric Berry continued playing like a possessed man. The cornerbacks were hardly mentioned on the broadcast because they weren't giving much up. This defense is the total package.
LOL Philip Rivers. https://t.co/jdKIR8fwYr
— Jimmy Traina (@JimmyTraina) November 22, 2015
Charcandrick West is injured, Spencer Ware steps up
He has a hamstring injury, left in the third quarter and never returned. He didn't do a whole lot on the day outside of a big catch in the first half. The Chiefs have loved what West can do but this injury gave them a chance to see what they have in Spencer Ware. Knile Davis was inactive so the Chiefs went to Ware, who rattled off a 52-yard run and two touchdowns. He finished the day with 96 yards on 11 carries. Ware, 23, is kind of like West where he's a little shiftier than you might think. Do the Chiefs have another back?
Tamba Hali playing like a young man
He had two sacks and several other pressures in the game. He is an old man by NFL standards (32) and we all assumed this was his last year ... but is it? Tamba can absolutely help someone next year, including the Chiefs. He is a valuable member of the team.
Jeremy Maclin escapes injury, returns to game
Maclin took a huge hit to the helmet - it looked like helmet-to-helmet but there was no flag - which resulted in a scary moment. Maclin took the hit as he was trying to catch a slant so he was partially defenseless. He stayed on the ground for a minute while the Chiefs trainers came out. He walked off the field where he was tested for a concussion on the sideline. Surprisingly, he later returned to the game to return punts. I was surprised to see him come back in a blowout win but obviously the Chiefs think he is fine.
Hate to see shots like this hit on Jeremy Maclin. https://t.co/OJLOcbWstY
— Matt Conner (@MattConnerAP) November 22, 2015
Chiefs remaining schedule
Week 12: Buffalo Bills (Nov. 29, 12 p.m., CBS)
Week 13: @ Oakland Raiders (Dec. 6, 3:05 p.m., CBS)
Week 14: San Diego Chargers (Dec. 13, 12 p.m, CBS)
Week 15: @ Baltimore Ravens (Dec. 20, 12 p.m., CBS)
Week 16: Cleveland Browns (Dec. 27, 12 p.m., CBS)
Week 17: Oakland Raiders (Jan. 3, 12 p.m., CBS)