Chiefs vs. Packers: Kansas City's Biggest Winners & Losers from Preseason Week 4

Benny Sieu-US PRESSWIRE

The Kansas City Chiefs were pummeled for the third consecutive week of the 2012 preseason. In the end, eight winners and losers emerged from the loss at the hands of the Green Bay Packers.

As time expired, Ryan Succop's 26-yard field goal was the only thing that stood between the Chiefs and a shutout. However, the 24-3 defeat was not as lopsided as the scoreboard might suggest. 

Kansas City's starters displayed the collective energy that was absent in the team's Week 3 matchup versus the Arizona Cardinals. The reserves, on the other hand, didn't get the memo. 

There was plenty to take away from the Kansas City Chiefs' final dress rehearsal before opening day. 

Loser: Secondary

Benny Sieu-US PRESSWIRE

The secondary's night couldn't have started better. But when you're at the peak, there's only one way to go.

Aaron Rodgers lofted the pigskin in the Green Bay air as his receiver streaked down the sideline. Kansas City's Stanford Routt matched his target step-for-step and intercepted the intended pass.

A penalty flag with the Chiefs' name met the field, and it was all downhill from there for Chiefs defenders. 

While the starters performed admirably during the unit's short stint—Rodgers' only drive of the night resulted in a three-and-out for Green Bay—the reserves made Graham Harrell look like his mentor.

The second and third-stringers were continually torched throughout the night. Defensive back Chandler Fenner's team-leading five tackles were attributed to the fact that Green Bay's wideouts repeatedly victimized him. 

Harrell completed 13 of his 15 passing attempts and gouged the Chiefs for 223 yards (14.9 yards per completion) with two touchdowns. It was the first time that he filled the stat sheet with those kind of numbers since crouching under center at Texas Tech. 

Winner: Running Backs

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It's easy to make the case that the NFL's best stable of rushers resides at One Arrowhead Drive.

All-Pro Jamaal Charles and barbaric bulldozer Peyton Hillis were locks to crack the final roster before the first snap of 2012. However, throughout this preseason, backups Cyrus Gray, Shaun Draughn and Nate Eachus have all made a name for themselves as well.

Due to a nagging injury, Gray hasn't seen the field since Week 1 of the preseason. But, his numbers (15 ATT, 65 YDS, 1 TD) likely made a lasting first impression.

Nate Eachus' impressive rushing streak continued as he fell a yard shy of the century mark against Green Bay. The pride of Colgate finished his night with 99 yards on 21 carries. Eachus' rushes don't mirror the smooth artistry of Jamaal Charles or merciless steamrolling of Peyton Hillis, but he gets the job done. 

Shaun Draughn produced his best performance of 2012. The second-year running back racked up 58 yards on only 10 carries, including a 20-yard conversion from a draw play on 3rd-and-19. Like Gray, Draughn doubles as a receiving threat out of the backfield. As with every replacement balancing on the roster bubble, diversity is the greatest résumé-builder.

Loser: K Ryan Succop

Denny Medley-US PRESSWIRE

While Ryan Succop was the only source of points for Kansas City on Thursday night, he also misfired at the end of the Chiefs' first drive of the evening.

Succop, now, has missed field goals in two consecutive games and is 4-of-6 this preseason.

Considering Kansas City's inability to output touchdowns in the red zone last season—albeit with an unhealthy roster—a premium is placed on the kicking game.

If Succop's recent trend plagues him during the regular season, "Mr. Irrelevant" may be just that in Kansas City by 2013. 

Winner: Kick Returners

Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

As the year unfolds, Kansas City's most reliable aspect of its special teams should be the return game. Exhibit A: Thursday evening versus the Green Bay Packers.

The Chiefs accumulated 151 yards on four kick returns with four separate players. While he didn't do himself any favors in coverage last night, Mikail Baker led the team with 42 yards on his sole return. Devon Wylie, Javier Arenas and Shaun Draughn also added 30-plus-yard returns of their own. 

For now, Arenas remains the primary return man. But, he has a group of teammates breathing down his neck like Darth Vader.

Loser: QB Brady Quinn

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Brady Quinn's play wasn't atrocious, but it wasn't reassuring either.

Half of his attempts (6-of-12) were successful, and he managed to gain 29 yards on two quarterback scrambles.

But, as he snapped the ball on Green Bay's 5-yard line, Quinn evaded pressure and threw a last-ditch effort into the back of the end zone. Green Bay's Sam Shields then snatched it from the air. 

While Jamar Newsome could—and should—have been more aggressive in pursuit of the pass, a better thrown ball would have negated the potential for Shields' interception. 

To his credit, the rushing and passing of Kansas City's No. 2 quarterback did put the Chiefs in position to score. However, a 50 percent completion rate and red-zone turnovers aren't going to cut it if he's called upon during the regular season. 

Winner: WR Josh Bellamy

Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

Josh Bellamy was the proverbial unknown name that created a buzz during the offseason. Curious onlookers often inquired about No. 8's identity, and "Bellamy" quickly became a well known name amongst football diehards around Kansas City. 

His preseason game tape hadn't reflected his offseason eye test—until last night.

Bellamy's only official catch moved the chains as he darted across the middle of the field for a 20-yard pickup. 

But, his (and the game's) catch of the night won't be represented in the box score. 

As Alex Tanney lobbed a pass down the sidelines, an off-balance, backpedaling Josh Bellamy snagged the ball with a cornerback glued to him. 

The reception was erased due to a holding penalty, but the highlight will remain in his coaches' minds. In the end, that's all that counts in the preseason. 

Loser: Coaching Staff

Benny Sieu-US PRESSWIRE

Romeo Crennel and his staff can only do so much. They can't guide kicks in mid-air, nor defend the opposing team's wideouts.

But, he and his fellow coaches can install discipline.

Penalties kill drives. While flags thrown in the heat of plays can be brushed off as over-aggressiveness, dead-ball fouls cannot. It's a lack of focus, and the mentality trickles down from the top of the food chain.

By the time the last whistle blew in Lambeau Field, Kansas City had committed 14 penalties and gift-wrapped 126 free yards for the Packers. 

Winner: DE Tyson Jackson

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Tyson Jackson: A name synonymous with eye rolls across the Kansas-and-Missouri border. 

The third-overall choice in the 2009 NFL Draft, Jackson's name is on the verge of becoming attached to the word "bust." In three seasons, the defensive end has only provided 82 tackles, two sacks and hasn't recorded a single forced fumble or recovery. 

If last night is indicative of the future, times are about to change. 

He may have only been on the field for a handful of snaps, but Jackson's impact was felt. The fourth-year run-stuffer swarmed around the ball and accounted for two tackles, as well as a forced fumble on Green Bay's opening drive of the game. 

While Jackson is on the bubble of becoming a bust, he showed that the only things he plans on popping in 2012 are running backs. 

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