Kansas City Chiefs: Rapid Reaction Vs New York Jets

The Kansas City Chiefs absolutely embarrassed the New York Jets and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.  The Chiefs defense secured six interceptions in a dominant performance.

The Kansas City Chiefs are in the heart of a tough stretch of games with major playoff implications.  Last week, the Chiefs dropped a frustrating game to the Houston Texans.  This week, the KC defense humiliated New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick on the way to a 24-3 victory.

The Chiefs young secondary was a major concern for many Chiefs fans and analysts this offseason.  You wouldn’t have known that today, though.  KC picked off Ryan Fitzpatrick six times today.  Two of those picks belonged to star corner Marcus Peters, but the one we’ll remember is Derrick Johnson‘s pick-six to put the dagger in the heart.

On the other side of the ball, the Chiefs offense started strong and looked as though they would be able to roll over the Jets.  However, that seemed to stall when Andy Reid got inexplicably conservative at the end of the second half.  In the first half alone, Alex Smith connected with eight different receivers.  Almost a complete 180 from the Houston game where he forced the ball to Jeremy Maclin.

However, after the half, the Chiefs offense came out pretty stale.  You could feel the concern in the air for KC fans as many feared a comeback was inevitable.  However, the Chiefs defense held strong and managed a pair of interceptions in the end zone to keep New York at bay.

Game Ball – The Secondary

Marcus Peters, Eric Berry, DJ White, and Daniel Sorenson all walked away with interceptions for the Chiefs.  There were also a number of huge pass breakups.  The Chiefs young secondary was clearly not intimidated by the Jets impressive wide receiver group.

The Jets came into this game after a huge day against the Buffalo Bills, who also have talented corners.  Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall are known talents in the NFL, and Quincy Enunwa appeared to be an emerging star.  The trio combined for less than 100 yards receiving and no touchdowns.

It’s not a stretch to say that the defense won this game for the Chiefs.  Holding the Jets to just three points, and adding six themselves, is a big statement.  This defense needed their young secondary to step up while the pass rush is still struggling.  Kansas City got that and more today.

Penalty Flag – The Offensive Play Calling

The Kansas City Chiefs began the game rolling on offense.  Alex Smith was connecting with almost every one of his targets as the Chiefs moved down the field.  With the exception of a bad snap and a worse holding penalty, both on Mitch Morse, the Chiefs would have scored on the opening drive.  The Chiefs second drive was perfect and ended with Travis Kelce leaping into the endzone.

However, the Chiefs inexplicably got conservative at the end of the first half.  The Chiefs called short plays that ran time off the clock before getting a first down with :45 left.  Only then did the Chiefs decide they needed to throw the ball down the field, which resulted in three well-thrown incompletions.  Had the Chiefs been more aggressive early in that drive, they could have had a chance to score.

The Chiefs came out of halftime unable to find their rhythm on offense.  The one big drive they did put together ended in a Spencer Ware fumble out of the endzone, which gave the ball back to the Jets.  Yes…it was the right call.  Apart from that, the Chiefs offense was pretty lifeless in the second half.

Next: Kansas City Chiefs: Important Stretch Of Games On Deck

This was a big win for the Chiefs in an important stretch of games.  Despite this loss, the Jets figure to be in the playoff picture.  So this is a quality win against a good opponent, and could have playoff implications at the end of the season.  KC can’t bask in the glory too long though as the Pittsburgh Steelers are next up.  However, a performance like this has to give fans some hope moving forward.