Seattle Seahawks vs. Kansas City Chiefs: Full Report Card Grades for Kansas City
The Seattle Seahawks came to Arrowhead Stadium as reigning Super Bowl champions, but that did not intimidate the Kansas City Chiefs as they beat the defending champions 24-20 to capture their fifth consecutive win. With seven wins in the last eight games, Kansas City is tied for first place in the AFC West and is the hottest team in the league.
Although Kansas City started 0-2 to kick off 2014, head coach Andy Reid has guided the team to a big turnaround and coached the Chiefs to another big win.
Here are Kansas City’s grades after snapping Seattle’s three-game winning streak.
Quarterback
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The Chiefs decided to go run-heavy in this game, and rightfully so. Therefore, we can only judge and grade Alex Smith based on how he did from his 16 pass attempts.
Even with limited passes, Smith went 11-of-16 for 108 yards without committing a turnover or suffering a sack.
Grade: A
Running Back
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Jamaal Charles, Knile Davis and rookie De’Anthony Thomas all got involved to help the Chiefs run for 190 yards. Davis scored a touchdown in the second half to help the Chiefs retake the lead after Charles took the ball to the end zone twice early in the game.
While going head-to-head against Marshawn Lynch, Charles outrushed Lynch individually, rushing for 159 yards to Lynch’s 124.
Grade: A+
Tight End
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The Chiefs were extremely thin on tight end. Travis Kelce and Phillip Supernaw, who was signed earlier this week, were the only available tight ends this week.
Kelce led the team in catches with three and in receiving yards with 37. However, his biggest flaw was his fumble before halftime, which allowed the Seahawks to get a field goal and cut the deficit to one right before halftime.
Kelce has had two consecutive games where he was either quiet or had a bad performance. Expect him to rebound in some crucial upcoming divisional games.
Kelce does, however, deserve some love for this block.
Grade: B-
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Wide Receiver
4 of 11
Once again, Dwayne Bowe was the only wide receiver who caught a pass and was targeted in the win against Seattle. Although it should be taken into consideration that the Chiefs decided to go run-heavy, involving only one receiver in the offense will cost the Chiefs at some point.
Even as a No. 1 receiver, Bowe’s activity for a primary receiver was limited again.
Kansas City is on track to make the playoffs, but having a one-dimensional offense will probably lead the Chiefs to a first-round playoff exit.
Grade: B-
Offensive Line
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Kansas City’s offensive line rebounded last week after allowing six sacks. By protecting Smith from being sacked and paving the way for the running back to gain 190 yards, the offensive line had a big responsibility in the team's run-heavy game plan against the Seahawks.
With all the speed the Chiefs have in the backfield, the offensive line only has to block for a little bit and give the RBs a hole to allow them to gash through to pick up plenty of yards.
Grade: A-
Defensive Line
6 of 11
Seattle did a good job of exposing Kansas City's biggest weakness, which is stopping the run. However, when it mattered the most, the defense stepped up, and it all started up front with the defensive line.
The Chiefs stuffed Lynch at the goal line and the rest of Seattle in crucial situations. With the Seahawks going 0-of-3 on fourth down, the defensive line deserves a lot credit for coming up with stops as the game came down to the wire.
Dontari Poe came up with a huge sack near the end of the game, pushing the Seahawks back eight yards and forcing a 3rd-and-18 and 4th-and-18. Thanks to Poe's sack, the Seahawks were unable to convert a first down, which sealed the win for Kansas City.
Grade: B+
Linebacker
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Outside linebackers Tamba Hali and Justin Houston each recorded three quarterback hits, and inside linebacker Josh Mauga had one as well. The linebackers were responsible for seven of the team’s nine quarterback hits.
Hali and Houston applied pressure on Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson throughout the game as Hali registered a sack.
The linebackers struggled against the run, but pressuring the quarterback with the lead played a hand in lifting the Chiefs to victory.
Grade: A-
Secondary
8 of 11
Wilson managed to throw for two touchdown passes against Kansas City's defense, but while dealing with pressure throughout the game, he was not given many opportunities to beat the secondary.
Although the defensive backs struggled early on, they came through late in the game, just like the defensive line. After the front seven helped force a 3rd-and-18 and a 4th-and-18 late in the game, the defensive backs took advantage and covered the field well. Specifically, Sean Smith did a good job in coverage, not allowing a completion on Seattle's last two plays.
Grade: B
Special Teams
9 of 11
Kansas City's special teams defense came through during its five kickoffs when it limited Seattle to only 15.8 yards per kick return and even forced a fumble on one of those kick returns.
During one of Dustin Colquitt's two punts, Kansas City had two players, including wide receiver Junior Hemingway, save the ball from going into the end zone for a touchback.
Rookie kicker Cairo Santos came through with his sole field goal, connecting on his 11th straight. The Chiefs also averaged nearly 32 yards per kick return.
Grade: A+
Coaching
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I have said it the past couple of weeks while grading the coaches, and I will say it again: Reid has done a tremendous job of adjusting the Chiefs after the 0-2 start. He has led them to a 7-3 record at the midway point of the month of November, which is a crucial time of the year for a lot of NFL teams that are in the playoff hunt.
Reid and his assistants have found ways to get the team to play well in all three facets. With plenty of big-time opponents throughout the year, the Chiefs have defeated the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and San Diego Chargers. Now, the Chiefs beat the defending champions, the Seahawks, adding on to their impressive resume this season.
At this point, Reid should be a serious candidate for Coach of the Year honors.
Grade: A+
Overall
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QB: A
RB: A+
TE: C+
WR: B-
OL: A-
DL: B+
LB: A-
DB: B
Special Teams: A+
Coaching: A+
Cumulative: A
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