Stock up
The Arrowhead experience
It had been a long time. I arrived at 9 a.m., tailgated, said hi to Joel and Clark Hunt (not at the same time), walked around the Chiefs Hall of Fame, ate some BBQ, drank some Boulevard beer, yelled until I lost my voice in the loudest stadium on the planet, went for more BBQ after the game (Q39 is awesome) where I met eight Chiefs players relaxing after a good win. That’s what it’s all about.
Arrowhead is back ... not that it was ever gone but the team playing winning football had the crowd rocking and in turn the opponents struggled with false start and delay of game penalties. Andy Reid started his press conference with a shoutout to the fans. Home field advantage lives on for the team and fans in Kansas City.
The Chiefs offensive line
For the first time in the last two seasons, the Chiefs went an entire game without allowing Alex Smith to be sacked. The Chiefs were able to run and pass effectively, and it all started up front. The mobility and athleticism of the interior linemen was particularly noticeable on outside zone runs where they attacked the Saints on the edge. Continuity is playing a big role in the improvement in this group which when healthy is becoming a strength of the team.
Marcus Peters
This might be the week that we look back and say he’s a shutdown corner. What changed? For the first time ever, a legitimate top NFL QB decided that it wasn’t worth the risk to throw at Peters (H/T TJ Carpenter who made this point earlier).
Until now, Peters was a guy that good QBs would attack knowing that they could beat him enough to make up for the one interception he’d get per game. If this trend continues, Peters will be in the conversation with the best CBs in the league, and it won’t just be about interceptions.
Daniel Sorensen
Big day for the former BYU safety with the pick six, a sack, a pass defended and six tackles (one for a loss). Sorensen is settling into the nickel linebacker / third safety role and contributing. He’s still not a great cover guy but he can help in the run game. If “Dirty Dan” can occasionally contribute big plays like he did this week, he’s a solid role player.
Ramik Wilson
Just called up off of the practice squad, Wilson had arguably his best game as a pro. Ramik had eight tackles and one for a loss, was generally where he needed to be and even shed a couple of blocks to make plays. Strong effort from the young linebacker filling in.
Others on the rise (based on the eye test more so than stats): Chris Jones, Tyreek Hill, Chris Conley, Jaye Howard
Stock Down
Steven Nelson and DJ White
They aren’t playing terrible football but with teams starting to avoid Peters, these two will have to be on top of their games going forward. They are both solid tacklers, but I’d like to see them have less opportunities to make tackles in the passing game (give up less catches). Michael Thomas, Willie Snead and Brandin Cooks all had very good games against the young Chiefs secondary.
Albert Wilson
He’s still on the outside looking in with De’Anthony Thomas (11) and Tyreek Hill (18) getting more snaps than Wilson (10). One catch for four yards this week means the guy we thought might be the No. 2 receiver is now a complete afterthought in the Chiefs offense.
Demetrius Harris
Harris caught one of his three targets this week, but his two incompletions were both third down plays. If Harris is going to be the No. 2 tight end, you’d like to see him be a more reliable target and more involved than he has been.
Others who are struggling: Frank Zombo
Stock Flat
Spencer Ware
He’s one of the best backs in the NFL. I feel like I can comfortably say that now. His stock is flat at a high level. It’s a surprise if he doesn’t have over 100 total yards. This week: 17 carries 77 yards on the ground, two catches for 54 yards in the air and a touchdown. Something I noticed: it’s easier to see pre-snap matchups in person than on TV. When I saw Spencer Ware lined up wide with a linebacker in coverage, I turned to my buddy and said “If there was ever a time to throw it to Ware, this is it.” They did and he went the distance. Reid said it best, he’s playing well enough to keep Jamaal Charles on the sideline until he’s 100 percent healthy. That’s an incredible luxury, and the Chiefs may just have the best three back group in the NFL heading into the second half of the season.
Dee Ford
We think this is who Ford is. He’s a competent NFL outside linebacker that is past the point of being an embarrassment but not to the level where teams have to scheme around him. He’ll get a few pressures each week, and at least a sack every other game. He can get to eight sacks this year, bridge the gap to Houston’s return and even thrive a bit when the attention isn’t on him.
Alex Smith
For the second week in a row, AS11 was his efficient, accurate self. He had another couple dimes, including a spectacular touchdown to Tyreek Hill (right in front of my seats). He’s showing that the poor games earlier this season were the exception. This is the rule: 17/24, 214 yards, two touchdowns, no picks. If you think bad Alex was a big reason the Chiefs lost to Pittsburgh, you should also agree that this Alex is a big reason the Chiefs beat Oakland and New Orleans.
Others who are what we thought they were: Andy Reid, Travis Kelce, Eric Berry, DJ, Anthony Sherman