Kansas City Chiefs Report Card: Grading Each Unit vs. the Oakland Raiders

This week’s game finally brought real hope for Kansas City’s season.

The Chiefs went into the Black Hole and hammered a rising Oakland team, shutting out an opponent in their own home for the first time since 1973.

Don’t anoint this team as a playoff-ready team just yet, though. Kansas City played an outstanding game but still has plenty of gaps in their play—gaps that need plenty of attention if they hope to turn their fans’ attention to this year’s postseason instead of next year’s draft.

That said, here’s a by-position analysis of this week’s efforts, what the Chiefs can build on and where they need improvement to salvage a season some people already wrote off in September.

Quarterback

Kansas City likely took themselves completely out of the Andrew Luck sweepstakes with today’s win—not that they had much chance with Miami and Indianapolis both epically tanking this season.

It’s too bad, too, because Matt Cassel didn’t play well enough to deserve the win.

For every throw Cassel threaded between defenders, a “What are you thinking?!?” moment surely followed.

Cassel’s second interception was the worst. With outstanding protection and a solid pocket, Cassel took his time and overthrew Dexter McCluster.

Two Raiders stood a shot at picking the ball off, with another two just a couple of strides away.

McCluster didn’t have a chance at that ball, and neither did other receivers on some of Cassel’s throws.

Cassel made a few solid completions on plays that mattered and rifled the ball in with authority at times. It was just enough to keep his offense on the field and limit Oakland’s chances to come back.

That won’t cut it the next time Kansas City plays Oakland, though.

Grade: C

Running Backs

The Chiefs miss Jamaal Charles.

They miss his consistent playmaking ability and capacity to gain solid yardage nearly every time he touches the ball.

Fortunately, Kansas City stacked the deck at running back this year and still provides a respectable threat on the ground.

Dexter McCluster hits full speed almost from the moment the ball’s snapped, and Jackie Battle provides the power back the Chiefs signed Thomas Jones to be last year.

It’s a good thing, because Jones’ substandard season last year was no aberration.

Jones barely exceeds three yards per carry in six games—he cannot provide the workhorse production needed to keep smaller speed backs like McCluster healthy and fresh.

Battle handled the heavy lifting, keeping the ball moving and helping Kansas City edge Oakland out in time of possession. He will be counted on to do that and more the rest of this season, and likely longer.

Grade: B

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

This week held all manner of surprises in the receiver corps.

First, Jonathan Baldwin appeared and made his first NFL catch. He only made one, but it was for a first down.

He would have gained much more a couple plays later, if only Cassel had looked his way.

More importantly, though, Steve Breaston found his speed and Dwayne Bowe found his big-play ability.

Both players received a number of looks, and both gained nearly 13 yards with each catch. Breaston gives Kansas City a quick-strike option, while Bowe found the discipline that made him such a threat in 2010.

At tight end, meanwhile, there’s little to hang a hat on.

Jake O’Connell made a good heads-up play off a deflected pass, but the position group remained invisible otherwise.

The Chiefs sorely need Tony Moeaki back before the tight ends matter again, at least as anything other than an undersized blocker.

Kansas City should upgrade this position’s depth next year, and this week’s game only reinforces that need.

Receivers’ grade: B+

Tight end’s grade: Incomplete

Offensive Line

After a pair of false starts on Kansas City’s opening series, the Chiefs’ offensive line buckled down and locked down the Raiders’ defensive front.

Oakland failed to sack Matt Cassel—a strong endorsement of Branden Albert, who was matched up against All-Pro Richard Seymour.

The running game could have looked better, but Thomas Jones’ lack of production skewed the results.

The biggest piece of this puzzle going forward will be keeping their starters healthy.

Kansas City lacks depth beyond the first five on the field, and outside of rookie Rodney Hudson and Jared Gaither, few possess the skill to be an every-down player.

Grade: B+

Defensive Line

On the surface, the defensive line didn’t do anything special against the Raiders.

The Chiefs scored only one sack, while Oakland posted a 5.7 yard-per-carry average on the ground.

They made a number of plays that mattered, though. Kansas City stonewalled the Raiders in the red zone, and the one sack came on a four-man rush.

Free agent Kelly Gregg received the credit, but Tyson Jackson’s pressure made it possible. Jackson started showing signs that he might not be the first-round bust people think.

That doesn’t excuse everything, especially not Oakland’s success running the ball. Kansas City’s front three have plenty to feel good about, though.

Grade: B-

Linebackers

Outside of Derrick Johnson’s team-leading 12 tackles, the linebacker corps remained mostly invisible throughout the game.

Usually a force of nature on defense, Tamba Hali only produced one assist and one roughing the passer penalty to today’s game.

And while the Raiders only completed 15 passes, the coverage over the middle left a lot to be desired.

One play that sticks out had eight Chiefs in coverage, and Carson Palmer calmly pitched the ball to the middle of the field for a first down.

Derrick Johnson’s grade: A

Other linebackers’ grade: D

Secondary

When your secondary catches three interceptions, you know they’re doing something right.

So what do you say when they catch six interceptions, return two of them for touchdowns and hold your opponent to only 15 completed attempts?

You walk over and thank Emmitt Thomas profusely.

Thomas, the former Chiefs Hall of Fame cornerback and current secondary coach, brought his players to the game ready to capitalize on Oakland’s sketchy quarterback situation.

Every one of this week’s starters snagged an interception against the Raiders—Brandon Flowers and Kendrick Lewis took theirs in for six points.

It didn’t matter who was under center—both Kyle Boller and Carson Palmer looked overwhelmed by Kansas City’s coverage.

The person who came out best on this, though, is cornerback Brandon Carr. In the middle of a contract year, Carr is building his case to get paid next offseason.

Grade: A+

Special Teams

Kansas City’s secondary wasn’t the only one with a great performance this week.

The Chiefs didn’t need any field goals from Ryan Succop, but his only kickoff that didn’t result in a touchback was kicked from the 20.

Succop wasn’t the only one with a big leg today—punter Dustin Colquitt averaged 52.6 yards per punt.

The punt-coverage team is the one that shined today, though. Twice Kansas City downed the ball inside the 2-yard line, pinning the Raiders deep in their own territory.

That’s the type of full-spectrum performance the Chiefs will need if they want more games like this one.

Grade: A