Kansas City Chiefs vs. Miami Dolphins: Full Report Card Grades for Kansas City
The Kansas City Chiefs put the first two weeks in the rear-view mirror as they came to Miami with one goal: to win. Regardless of the fact they were without nine starters, the Chiefs accomplished that goal.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid knew it would not be pretty without star running back Jamaal Charles. But he also knew it could be done, regardless, and devised a plan to help the Chiefs pick up their first win of the season.
Let’s take a look at Kansas City’s grades from its first win of the season.
Quarterback
1 of 11
After a rough outing in the season opener, Alex Smith did not turn the football over for the second consecutive week. Unlike last week, he was able to add some touchdowns to his no-turnover game.
Even with all of the woes at offensive line, Smith completed 19 of 25 passes for 186 yards and three touchdown passes.
Being sacked five times, including once in the end zone for a safety, is not a pretty outcome. But the Chiefs were able to overcome those issues as Smith led the offense well for a second straight game.
Grade: A-
Running Back
2 of 11
No Jamaal Charles? No problem. Backup running backs Knile Davis, Cyrus Gray and Joe McKnight all combined for four touchdowns in this game.
Davis ran 32 times for 132 yards and a touchdown to help give Kansas City momentum. McKnight got in on the action coming out of the backfield, leading the team in catches (six), receiving yards (64) and touchdown catches (two) against Miami to help boost the Chiefs to victory. Finally, Gray scored a touchdown late in the game to help seal the win.
The Chiefs did the same exact thing they would normally do with Charles. The only difference is, multiple players stepped in to help carry Charles’ duties.
Grade: A+
Wide Receiver
3 of 11
The wide receivers did not have a very good game.
Just look at the stats:
- Dwayne Bowe: three catches, 32 yards
- Junior Hemingway: two catches, 18 yards
- Donnie Avery: two catches, 12 yards
The running backs and tight ends outplayed the wide receivers in this game. Since Andy Reid’s arrival, Bowe has not shown that he is a true No. 1 receiver in the NFL.
If Bowe and the receivers behind him step up, Kansas City’s offense will be a threat and could create some high-scoring games against other powerhouse offenses later in the season.
Grade: D+
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Tight End
4 of 11
Travis Kelce has yet to emerge into a monster-like tight end. But he’s getting the job done when his number is called.
He made his first career start alongside scoring his first career touchdown. Kelce showed what he could do in the preseason with a pair of catch-and-run touchdown plays and showed that off against the Dolphins during his 20-yard catch-and-run touchdown play.
Anthony Fasano was quiet statistically, with two catches for 23 yards. But he came through in the blocking department for Smith and the running backs, paving the way for runners to pick up first downs to help extend drives and eventually score five touchdowns.
Grade: A
Offensive Line
5 of 11
It was a roller-coaster game for Kansas City’s offensive line. Five sacks allowed, including one that resulted in a safety, is inexcusable. The Chiefs currently have allowed more pass rushes than any team in the league.
But along with capturing a win, there were some bright spots.
Eric Fisher, whom a lot of Chiefs fans have been impatient with, improved for a second straight game. After keeping DeMarcus Ware quiet last week, Fisher paved the way to help Knile Davis gain his 132 yards on the ground along with some key blocks in the passing game.
The offensive line saw a little bit of improvement but still has a long ways to go.
Grade: D+
Defensive Line
6 of 11
Kansas City’s defensive line did not have an answer to stopping the run against Miami. Dolphins running back Lamar Miller ran 108 yards off 15 carries, and Daniel Thomas did well, getting in on a couple of carries.
Miami altogether had yard-per-carry average of 7.1.
The good news is that Kansas City had the lead since it scored first, forcing Miami to abandon the running game early and focus more through the air. Had this game been close on the scoreboard, Miami probably would have spent more time running and would have seen better results.
Anytime the defensive line did not have to worry about stopping the run, the group applied a lot of pressure on Ryan Tannehill, giving him a hard day overall.
Grade: C
Linebacker
7 of 11
Dolphins offensive tackles Branden Albert and Ja'Wuan James could not stop outside linebackers Tamba Hali and Justin Houston. The two premier pass-rushers each recorded a sack while pressuring Ryan Tannehill throughout the game.
Backup outside linebacker and rookie Dee Ford came in for a couple of plays and shone when given the chance, putting more pressure on Tannehill to help the Chiefs, including one on third down to bring an end to a drive.
Inside linebackers James-Michael Johnson and Josh Mauga played well for the second straight game without Derrick Johnson and Joe Mays.
Grade: A
Secondary
8 of 11
Kansas City's secondary had its hands on a few passes that could have been picked off, including one in the photo above by cornerback Sean Smith. The Chiefs have yet to force a turnover through three games.
Despite the lack of takeaways, the Chiefs' defensive backs played well considering how thin they are and while also playing without safety Eric Berry.
Thanks to the help of the pass-rushers, the secondary had a better game after standing strong against a high-powered Denver offense.
Grade: B
Special Teams
9 of 11
When a team scores touchdowns, the only time their kicker will be called upon to score is during extra-point attempts. That was the case for Cairo Santos, who has struggled early, going 2-of-4 as a rookie kicker.
Although he fielded them deep in his own territory, Frankie Hammond Jr. had a couple of impressive punt returns in the second half.
And as usual, Dustin Colquitt continues to do what he does, as good punters do. His longest punt went for 64 yards.
Grade: A
Coaching
10 of 11
Andy Reid has taken plenty of criticism for the 0-2 start and the lack of activity from the first-team offense in the preseason. What many fans are forgetting is that he is the same guy who they gave credit to for the team’s 9-0 start.
Despite all of the absences from starters, one thing is for sure: The team doesn’t stop fighting with Reid as the head coach. Considering what the team has gone through with previous head coaches in recent memory, this is the best the franchise has been coaching-wise.
As for this game, Reid had the team ready, knowing he’d be missing a lot of his starters, including Jamaal Charles. A win is a win, and Reid now looks to build a winning streak.
Grade: A
Overall
11 of 11
QB: A-
RB: A+
WR: D+
TE: A
OL: D+
DL: C
LB: A
DB: B
ST: A
Coaching: A
Cumulative: A
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