First game of the post Larry Johnson era for the Chiefs and they get a victory It wasn’t easy. In fact, I’d call it ugly. Coach Todd Haley called it hard. Either way, it’s a win and the Chiefs didn’t seem to miss Johnson as Jamaal Charles rushed for 103 yards in the 16-10 victory.
When Haley said it was hard, he meant it. Second offensive play of the game, Oakland’s Michael Bush broke loose on a 60 yard run before being caught at the Kansas City four. Justin Fargas leaped in two plays later for the score, the first TD on an opening drive this season for the Raiders.
After an interception thrown by Matt Cassel on a deep ball on the Chiefs first possession, KC looked in early trouble, but the defense responded and shut down the dysfunctional Oakland offense the rest of the game.
On their third possession, the Chiefs Ryan Succop managed a 50 yard FG after a terrific catch by Chris Chambers for a 30 yard gain.
Sebastian Janikowski matched Succop on the next possession with a 50 yarder of his own to make it 10-3 Oakland.
Early in the 2nd quarter, Haley chose to go for it on fourth and one and Charles used a great cutback to break loose for a 44 yard TD run. The first of his career and first rushing TD of the season for the Chiefs.
Next possession KC got three more points but could have had more as they moved quickly from their 26 to the Raider 7 but consecutive miscues forced another FG by Succop, 13-10 Chiefs.
The lack of offense by both teams was evident in the fact neither team could covert a 3rd down opportunity in the first half, going 0 for 16.
Both teams missed FG’s in the third quarter, for Janikowski it was his first miss of the year. Not much else happened right offensively for either team. Haley brain locked and decided to go for it on 4th and 1 at the 13 when his team could have gone up 16-10. They failed and turned the ball over on downs.
After the game he said he didn’t regret the decision, but did regret the decision to attempt the 53 yard field goal early that gave the Raiders good field position.
“I’ll probably regret’em both tomorrow,” said Haley, “but that one I really regretted.”
Credit the defense which bottled up the Raiders. also give credit to JaMarcus Russell, who was absolutely awful again going 9 of 24 for just 67 yards in the game.
Bruce Gradkowski came in and took over at the quarterback spot for Russell with little improvement and with under two minutes to go on the final Oakland drive the Raiders moved to the Chiefs 26 thanks in part to a very questionable replay ruling of a completion, But Darius Heyward Bey had a pass go off his hands and Mike Brown got his second interception of the game and secured KC’s 2nd win of the season.
Matt Cassel was an efficient 19 of 24 for 215 yards and Jamaal Charles rushed for 103 yards on 18 carries, but the Chiefs were 1 of 15 on 3rd downs. Still a win is a win and KC leaves Oakland with a 16-10 victory.
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