One of the best parts of the Kansas City Chiefs win over the Oakland Raiders in Week 6 was that they ran the hell out of the ball. It was their best rushing performance of the season led by Spencer Ware’s 131 yards. The best part to me was the 15 fourth quarter rushes. The Chiefs had the lead and, just as we always talk about, they ran it down the Raiders throats in the fourth quarter to run out the clock. It was a great win with a great rushing attack.
So, about that rushing attack ... where is it? The Chiefs rushing wasn’t a problem against Atlanta because they were doing such a good job passing it. They were still productive with 55 rushing yards from Albert Wilson’s fake punt and a 23-yard scamper from De’Anthony Thomas. However, at some point, you need more than 29 yards on 14 carries from Spencer Ware. And by “some point”, I mean on Thursday night against the Raiders.
“I like the Kansas City Chiefs, I really do,” Deion Sanders said on NFL Network’s postgame coverage. “I love Alex Smith - very underrated. He does not turn over the ball often, protects the ball, he’s a really smart quarterback. The receiving core, especially the tight end, Kelce - one of the best in the game. The defense is phenomenal. I just wish they had the type of running game so that when it’s time for them to ice it, they could turn around and hand the ball off to a type of person that could run this thing out.”
The Chiefs were able to ice it last time against the Raiders and it’s what they need to be able to do on Thursday. This is December football. It will be 10 degrees at Arrowhead on Sunday Thursday night. Time to flip the switch to old school football. This team is capable of doing that.