Chargers vs. Chiefs: Full Report Card Grades for Kansas City
The Kansas City Chiefs limited one of the hottest offenses in the NFL in the San Diego Chargers, holding them to just a touchdown and preventing them from making the playoffs in the 19-7 win. Although the Chiefs fell short of making the playoffs, the team will enter the offseason on a better note after losing four of the previous five games going into Week 17.
Even with backup quarterback Chase Daniel filling in under center for Alex Smith, Kansas City's offense moved the ball well to help the team earn one more victory to give the Chiefs a 9-7 record this year.
For the final time this year, here are Kansas City's grades following a win on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.
Quarterback
1 of 11
For the second regular-season finale in a row, against the same team, Daniel concluded the season with a start against the Chargers. Last year, the Chiefs used all of their backups. But on Sunday, Daniel worked with the offensive starters with a playoff spot on the line.
When you consider what was at stake and the fact that Daniel outplayed Philip Rivers, you have to appreciate what he did to help the Chiefs pick up a win.
Daniel finished 16-of-27 passing for 157 yards. Although he was sacked four times, he still got back up and showed aggression and even took some shots downfield, which is something we did not see a lot of from Smith.
Grade: A
Running Back
2 of 11
Jamaal Charles, Knile Davis and rookie De'Anthony Thomas were active in Sunday's game. The running backs gained 95 yards on the ground and 131 yards of total offense against the Chargers.
Charles led the way with 54 yards off 13 carries and had a pair of catches for eight yards, while Thomas pulled in three catches for 28 yards. Davis contributed to 23 of the team's 95 rushing yards to help complement Charles.
Thomas' run of 18 yards was the longest rushing play for the Chiefs as the offense moved the chains six times on the ground. Although Daniel played well and had the hot hand early, the Chiefs ran the ball just 23 times and should have gotten more involved to help the team score more than a touchdown.
Kansas City's biggest strength on offense in 2014 came from the running backs, consistently playing well throughout the year. Provided that all three scatbacks return for 2015, the Chiefs must make running the ball more of a priority in games.
Grade: A-
Tight End
3 of 11
Travis Kelce scored the team's sole touchdown in the most unconventional way. After we all thought a wide receiver finally caught a touchdown pass, it turned out the wide receiver, Dwayne Bowe, fumbled and Kelce scooped up the ball to score the team's only touchdown.
But when it came to the receiving end, Kelce and Daniel played well together. Out of the eight times Daniel targeted Kelce, the two connected seven times for 84 yards. Kelce's ability to catch and run helped Kansas City, as he finished as the team's best pass-catcher.
Kelce is the only tight end in the NFL to lead a team in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
Grade: A
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Wide Receiver
4 of 11
Bowe's fumble at the 1-yard line (even though it still resulted in a touchdown) and Jason Avant's drop on a third-down play sums up Kansas City's wide receiver corps. There is a reason why this unit did not shine during the season or catch a touchdown this year.
Bowe caught just three passes for 30 yards, and almost a touchdown, while Avant had just one catch. The two were the only wide receivers who logged a catch for the Chiefs in this game. For Bowe, it is hard to rely on him, especially in the end zone. After dropping a pass last week, he fumbled the ball at the 1-yard line, which went into the end zone. Although it was teammate Kelce who picked up the fumble, you can't always assume it won't be scooped up by a defender or roll out for a touchback.
Daniel had a couple of plays with the wide receivers but saw more success with Kelce at tight end.
For the second year in a row, a non-wide receiver leads the Chiefs in catches and receiving yards.
Grade: C+
Offensive Line
5 of 11
It wasn't a perfect day for Daniel, as his offensive line did not do him any favors. Daniel finally experienced Smith's pain, dealing with pressure while suffering four sacks and seven quarterback hits.
Outside linebackers Melvin Ingram and Dwight Freeney got to Daniel, combining for five quarterback hits as each defender also got a sack.
Like most games, the Chiefs were prevented from doing more because the offensive line was a liability, allowing pressure, which translated into some short-lived drives or drives that resulted in a chip-shot field goal when the team had a chance at a touchdown.
Moving forward, the Chiefs need to address this position in 2015 and help the quarterbacks have a chance when facing a defense.
Grade: D+
Defensive Line
6 of 11
You probably noticed that CBS had plenty of cutaway shots to Rivers either on the field or on the sideline showing his frustration. It was hard to miss.
A big reason for his anger was due to Kansas City's front seven, which applied pressure all game long and had a big hand in limiting the Chargers to just seven points.
Starting with the defensive line, nose tackle Dontari Poe made his presence known by limiting some of the rushes through the middle while also coming through with one of Kansas City's seven sacks.
Since Andy Reid came to Kansas City, Poe's level of play has changed as he's dominated through the middle, which helps the outside linebackers, especially Sunday. Justin Houston found plenty of ways to get to Rivers.
Defensive end Allen Bailey also got his first sack since missing two games earlier this month.
Grade: A+
Linebacker
7 of 11
Houston proved Sunday that he deserves a megadeal from general manager John Dorsey this offseason. Houston registered four sacks against Rivers, giving him 22 on the season. He passed Derrick Thomas for the all-time franchise record and was half of a sack shy of tying Michael Strahan's league record.
Rookie Dee Ford also came in with some big plays. He got a sack on third down to end one of San Diego's drives, while Tamba Hali helped apply pressure as well.
Josh Mauga struggled during the second half of the season but looked good against the Chargers, stopping the run and also joining in on the sack fest.
Even without Derrick Johnson, the linebackers excelled and saw a lot of good things in 2014. With Johnson in 2015, it is scary to think how good this unit will be.
Grade: A+
Secondary
8 of 11
Against Rivers, the secondary had its best game of the season. By taking advantage of the front seven, the defensive backs pulled away with two interceptions and held San Diego's passing game in check.
Kurt Coleman snagged Rivers twice, both coming at the end of each half. In fact, Coleman, who finishes as the team leader in interceptions for 2014, had all three of his interceptions against Rivers.
Husain Abdullah made some big plays in the fourth quarter to help keep the Chargers out of the end zone.
The only defensive back with trouble was Chris Owens, who was torched twice and eventually led to San Diego scoring its only set of points against the Chiefs.
Grade: A
Special Teams
9 of 11
You can't ask for a much better game from the special teams unit altogether in this game.
When the Chiefs couldn't score a touchdown, rookie Cairo Santos tacked on four field goals and missed just once from long range.
Punter Dustin Colquitt averaged 51 yards per punt, including one that went for 61 yards and pinned the Chargers inside their own 5-yard line.
As for the return game, Thomas took advantage of one punt return fielded at the San Diego 49 and ran 41 yards to bring the Chiefs inside the 10.
Offense and defense get a lot of credit or receive most of the blame for the result of a game. But Kansas City's special teams was a factor in the team's 19-7 victory.
Grade: A
Coaching
10 of 11
Given what Reid and the coaching staff worked against and having to use a backup quarterback against San Diego, you have to credit the coaches. The play-calling was more creative, as the Chiefs stretched out the field more with Daniel under center.
Charles got 15 touches, a little bit more than he usually gets. But in a game when a team has just one touchdown, it would have been nice to see Charles get more touches to help build a bigger lead.
Reid knows his flaws as a head coach and a play-caller this year. He must improve to help the Chiefs prevent another downfall and reach their potential in 2015.
Grade: B+
Overall
11 of 11
QB: A
RB: A-
TE: A
WR: C+
OL: D+
DL: A+
LB: A+
DB: A
ST: A
Coaching: B+
Cumulative: A
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