Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs: Full Report Card Grades for Kansas City
Despite having 10 days to prepare for the Denver Broncos, the Kansas City Chiefs came out flat on Sunday night and lost 29-16.
The Chiefs struggled on both sides of the ball right away, and it showed when the Chiefs trailed 14-0 in the first quarter. From coaching to the personnel, Kansas City did not perform well and allowed Denver to have control of the game.
A 17-minute difference in time of possession, three turnovers, 1-of-9 conversions on third down and six sacks allowed all played a factor in Sunday night's bad game in front of a national audience.
Here are the grades following Kansas City's loss to Denver.
Before you move on, many of you have criticized me for being a bit soft in my recent grades. After a discouraging performance, perhaps the soft label with my grading won't be connected with this slideshow.
Quarterback
1 of 11
Alex Smith did not get much help from his offensive line, hence why he took six sacks in the game. But away from that, Smith had some flaws that he is responsible for.
Smith threw a pass that was deflected by the defense, allowing DeMarcus Ware to come away with an easy interception.
But when Kansas City needed to get going, Smith did very little to help move the ball when the Chiefs decided to focus more on the passing game instead of running the ball.
Although Smith has taken care of the football for the most part, he hasn't been able to make a big impact to help the team, and Sunday night was a true representation of it.
Grade: C-
Running Back
2 of 11
In the limited touches Jamaal Charles got in the game, he did not look like his usual self. Even so, Charles was still one of the very few productive players on offense and scored one of the team's two touchdowns.
Charles finished with 35 yards off 10 carries, along with four catches for 24 yards and a touchdown against the Broncos.
Rookie De'Anthony Thomas got in on the action, but his play went almost unnoticed with two catches for five yards.
Grade: C
Tight End
3 of 11
During Kansas City’s seven-play drive that led to its first touchdown, Smith found Travis Kelce for 19 yards to get to Denver’s 20-yard line. On the next play, Smith hooked up with Anthony Fasano on a 20-yard touchdown pass.
Outside of that, the tight ends were a non-factor the rest of the game.
Kelce did lead the team in receiving yards, but only with 36.
Despite the lack of production, Fasano was responsible for one of the team’s two touchdown scores.
Grade: C
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Wide Receiver
4 of 11
With Jason Avant making his debut as a Chief and Donnie Avery returning, the wide receivers still looked exactly the same as they have looked all season.
Avant, who has been with the team for just a little longer than a week, co-led the wide receivers in receptions with two while leading all wide receivers in yards pulled in with 30. Dwayne Bowe caught just two passes for 18 yards while Avery had one catch for 20 yards in his return.
Those numbers alone explain why Kansas City has not thrown a touchdown pass to a wide receiver this year.
Grade: F
Offensive Line
5 of 11
Smith has been sacked 33 times, fifth-most in the NFL. In the loss against the Broncos, the O-line did Smith no favors and allowed six sacks.
It is the second time the line has allowed six sacks, the first time happening four weeks ago against Buffalo.
Charles had very few holes to attack because of the lack of blocking by the line, as his longest run went for 11 yards.
Grade: F
Defensive Line
6 of 11
The defensive line was a mixed bag in the loss to the Broncos.
Denver ran for 214 yards on the Chiefs, but nose tackle Dontari Poe managed to get some run stops in the middle. However, Poe and the rest of the defensive line still got beat as Denver's offensive line was able to push them around.
While other players have been highlighted defensively this year for the Chiefs, Kansas City's defense has been a strong asset this year, but it has taken steps back lately alongside the two-game losing streak.
Grade: D+
Linebacker
7 of 11
Outside linebackers Justin Houston and Tamba Hali managed to put some pressure on Peyton Manning. But the two Pro Bowl outside linebackers were more impressive against the run.
In addition to Houston’s sack and Hali’s quarterback hit, the two combined for four tackles for a loss. Houston also deflected a couple of passes to help limit Manning.
Inside linebackers Josh Mauga and James-Michael Johnson have been great coming up with run stops, but they allowed Denver to gash through for more than 200 yards and eventually pick up the win.
Grade: C+
Secondary
8 of 11
If a play-by-play broadcaster and his color commentator continuously mention the defensive backs, that is because they are either having a good game with big deflections and interceptions or they are getting beat by pass-catchers. For Kansas City, it was the latter.
NBC Sunday Night Football announcers Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth mentioned Sean Smith and Chris Owens a couple of times throughout the broadcast, as the two cornerbacks got beat by Denver’s passing attack, even with Manning limited to just 179 yards.
Ron Parker switched back to safety because of Eric Berry’s absence and was average, but he hurt the Chiefs in an opportunity to swipe one of Manning’s passes.
If the defense did not have a good pass rush, Denver’s wide receivers may have accomplished more against this group of defensive backs.
Grade: D
Special Teams
9 of 11
As if there weren't enough issues on offense and defense, special teams had a bad night as well.
After the Chiefs accepted a penalty to force the Broncos to re-punt, the Broncos faked the punt and had a direct snap go to David Bruton, who picked up 13 yards when he needed just seven.
Later in the game, Britton Colquitt had a short, 33-yard punt, which bounced off cornerback Marcus Cooper's leg, making it a live ball. Denver fell on it to extend its drive.
Grade: F
Coaching
10 of 11
Two weeks ago, I made a case for Andy Reid and said he should be strongly considered for AP NFL Coach of the Year and reasons as to why he deserves the honor.
After an embarrassing loss to the Raiders and an utterly pitiful showing against the Broncos with 10 days to prepare, I can't stand by what I said two weeks ago anymore.
Reid is a good coach, but it is hard for fans to get behind him when he continues to make the mistake of not giving the football to his best player in Charles.
Reid is responsible for the team's two-game skid and must find a way to turn it around with a tough December schedule, as plenty of teams are vying for a wild-card spot.
Reid will be challenged and watched closely throughout a tough month of December.
Grade: F
Overall
11 of 11
QB: C
RB: C-
TE: C
WR: F
OL: F
DL: D+
LB: C+
CB: D
Coaching: F
Cumulative: D
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