We actually looked really great in the first Q -- drove the field a few times and looked strong doing it. We should have converted a 3rd down to get a TD instead of a FG, but you can't win them all. We were also looking solid on D -- making tackles, preventing the run, containing Mahomes and forcing throws.
We completely fell apart in the 2nd. Mahomes carved us up through the air, mostly on deep balls where our secondary was out of position or just got flat out beat. We only lost Abrams, but the entire secondary went from promising to looking like high school JV. Guys like Nixon simply looked overmatched, Joseph was variable and mostly poor in coverage, and our linebackers couldn't keep up with their assignments streaking downfield. That quarter literally killed us as we then had zero response on offense - we stalled frequently, couldn't move the chains, and both sides of the ball made mistakes. Mahomes and all receivers simply had a field day.
The good news is that we limited scoring in the second half. The bad is that we still couldn't score and get closer. Carr threw some bad picks and looked uncharacteristically overmatched at time against pressure. I expect more from our receivers, as well. All had drops, but Renfrow and Grant had more that Williams. Was expecting Renfrow to be way more polished and NFL ready -- looks like he is still adjusting. Grant has no excuse, he's been in this dance before and simply didn't contribute much.
Bright spots continued to be Josh Jacobs -- so impressed with him. He runs with such power and intensity, burst and acceleration. Always falling forward, the O-line creating holes for him, and where they weren't, he used great vision and patience to sprint through the LOS, often to the second level. He was stuffed 2-3 times, but the rest looked like 5-8 yards were automatic, and he was always a threat for a big play. On his long scamper, what specifically impressed me was that he could have leaked out of bounds when running along the sidelines, which most backs/receivers do to save their bodies. Instead, Jacobs chose to cut infield directly at a defender to initiate contact and lowered his shoulder and ran at the tackle. The kid has TONS of heart and is a joy to watch.
Waller also continues to shine, he is such an athlete and creates mismatches all over the field, and executes. Ty Williams was mostly solid, and his TD was a great adjusting catch.
Will also give the D props for shutting down the KC run game. It's simply pass d that needs the most work.
I want to see what happened to Harris, he was helped off the field and looked badly hurt, which would really hurt our ST.
Overall a punch in the gut as that was a game we could have -- and should have -- kept close. Not saying we could have won it, as the Chiefs are simply a fantastic offensive team. But we definitely should have been in that game to give us a shot at the end.
1-1. Let's see how we fare on the road. Rough sailing ahead for our pillaging pirates. Hope we stick together as a team, learn from this, heal up, and carry on.