Week 5 Game Recap: Kansas City Chiefs 23, Arizona Cardinals 20

What you need to know

Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City was favored to win this game going up against the struggling Cardinals who had just installed a rookie quarterback in his first professional start. The Chiefs started slow and did not appear ready for the Cardinals’ tenacity.

Kansas City seemed to be ambushed early by the Cardinals, as their defense was beaten by Arizona quarterback Matt Leinart and star receiver Anquan Boldin, giving up a huge touchdown play through the air. After a well prepared Arizona defense recovered a fumble from an attempted interchange between Larry Johnson and Damon Huard, the Chiefs again gave up a Matt Leinart touchdown.

Kansas City found themselves deep in a hole while plenty of time still remained in the first quarter. However, their defense started holding on and pressuring Leinart enough to allow the offense to claw back. Despite a fourteen to nothing deficit early in the game, the Chiefs found a way to come back and win on the road. The Chiefs’ defense stiffened when it needed to and was opportunistic with one key pick by Ty Law and four sacks of Leinart.

Kansas City was never able to get their running attack working, compiling a measly 1.8 yards per carry for only 39 total rushing yards. They managed to keep the game close and slowly work their way back by continuous short but accurate passes. Quarterback Damon Huard completed 26 of 38 passes for 288 yards but the game plan was kept simple with primarily short routes. Even on his one big pass to Larry Johnson, Huard simply dropped it off short and let Johnson make the yardage with aggressive, powerful running.

Kansas City is breathing a sigh of relief that they were able to get out of Phoenix with this hard fought win and hope that they do not have any serious injuries from it. During the game they lost Dante Hall on a kickoff return at the start of the second half and then Larry Johnson at the end of his long pass reception near the end of the game, both to injuries. It appears that they will each be okay.

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals have had a rough start this year, having lost three out of the first four games and with Kansas City coming to town. The Arizona brain trust decided it was time to begin the Matt Leinart era in Phoenix. Rookie Leinart started at quarterback for the first time as a professional. He was expected by almost everyone outside of Arizona to experience immediate growing pains but came out on the first drive of the game looking poised and like the answer to the Cardinals’ dreams. Arizona finds themselves now at the bottom of the division standings, but they can feel hope for the future with a possible emerging star in Matt Leinart.

On the first Arizona offensive series, Leinart drove down the field and connected with receiver Anquan Boldin on a beautiful 49 yard pass for a touchdown. Then following a fumble by Kansas City, Leinart quickly drove down again and connected with Arizona’s second star receiver, Larry Fitzgerald, on a five yard touchdown pass. Leinart had completed the first six passes he threw as an NFL starter.

For the rest of the game, Leinart was able to shine at times while occasionally making some glaring rookie mistakes. He had a couple times of obviously holding onto the ball too long and threw one very ill advised pass to Kansas City cornerback Ty Law. For most of the game, he displayed why he was a first round selection. He finished the game with a strong performance on the final drive where he drove the Cardinals down to within range of a long field goal attempt after starting deep in their own territory with time running out. Leinart showed the strengths and promise to be the Arizona franchise quarterback for a long time. He should hold onto the starting job at quarterback.

Edgerrin James had trouble getting on track as Kansas City usually kept the rushing attack bottled up. He did finish up with a good total of 115 yards gained with 44 through the air and 71 on the ground. He did not come close to scoring though.

The rush defense was strong and had a great game but the pass defense was victimized steadily on short completions and finally with the game on the line by one long completion.

Larry Fitzgerald suffered a hamstring injury in the first quarter of play. It has been reported that he will be out for two to five weeks. During the game, Bryant Johnson stepped up admirably in his stead and was the most targeted Cardinals' receiver with ten looks from Matt Leinart.

What you ought to know

QB Damon Huard, Pass: 26 - 38 - 288 - 2 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 2 - -1 - 0

Huard stands to get at least one more game in as the Chiefs’ starting quarterback before Trent Green is brought back to resume his role as the starter for the Chiefs. He has earned the right to hold the position and has Kansas City feeling good about their chances while Green is recovering. Huard had a strong game even if it was not especially inspirational. He is extremely accurate with an excellent completion percentage. Several of his misses were very catchable, just dropped. He finished with 288 yards, but the number was inflated at the end of the game on a huge 79 yard pass play where the entire yardage was actually picked up by Larry Johnson’s running after the catch. Still, Huard made few mistakes and kept the Chiefs within striking distance throughout the game.

RB Larry Johnson, Rush: 16 - 36 - 0, Rec: 6 - 106 - 1 (8 targets)

Johnson was frustrated by the Arizona rush defense for the entire game. He never got on track as Arizona stacked the line against him and everywhere he went, he was shadowed and gang tackled. However, Johnson is a premiere back in this league and showed why he is. While he could not gain his typical rushing yards, he was heavily used in passing situations as he caught six out of the eight passes sent his way. That included one for a touchdown early in the second quarter and the biggest game breaker of the contest, a 79 yard completion during the final Kansas City drive of the game. He was hauled down from behind by his facemask on that play causing what was called a neck strain. He had to leave the contest but he left the Chiefs within striking distance of the game winning field goal.

RB Dee Brown, Rush: 3 - 2 - 0

Brown was only brought in at the end of the game on the Chiefs’ last drive after Larry Johnson had to leave with an injury. On two of Brown’s three carries, it appeared that Brown might have dropped the ball and had it recovered by the Chiefs. No fumble was called on either play.

RB Ronnie Cruz, Rec: 2 - 20 - 0 (3 targets)

Fullback Ronnie Cruz was brought in as an occasional change of pace. He showed a good ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and to gain extra yards after the catch.

WR Eddie Kennison, Rush: 1 - 2 - 0, Rec: 4 - 48 - 0 (9 targets)

Kennison was often targeted by Huard during this contest. He was able to bring in only four of the nine balls targeted to him but he was still depended on strongly in the Chiefs’ attack. He can still justifiably be considered the number one receiver in Kansas City.

WR Samie Parker, Rec: 5 - 37 - 1 (8 targets)

Parker gave glimpses of the receiver Kansas City hopes he can be. He pulled in five of the eight passes thrown his way, but he still dropped a sure pass that he should have caught. He still needs to provide more consistency and dependability.

WR Dante Hall, Rec: 4 - 22 - 0 (4 targets)

Hall was again giving a strong all around performance for the Kansas City offence and on special teams. He suffered from a violent collision on the first kickoff return of the second half. It forced him out of the contest. He appears to be okay and should be back for his normal duties next week.

WR Rod Gardner, Rec: 2 - 17 - 0 (3 targets)

Recently acquired wide receiver Gardner caught two of the three balls thrown his way. He was targeted by quarterback Damon Huard during only one Kansas City offensive series.

TE Kris Wilson, Rec: 2 - 13 - 0 (2 targets)

Wilson caught both passes thrown his way during the game. Both passes were caught on the same offensive series, the Chiefs’ first series of the second quarter.

TE Tony Gonzalez, Rec: 1 - 25 - 0 (2 targets)

Gonzalez did not appear to be free very often in this contest. The one pass he did catch was amazing. The ball reached him just barely ahead of the defender. The defender went flying and the ball popped up in the air where Gonzalez juggled it a few times before securing it. He was immediately hit after he did pull the pass in, but managed to plow ahead for a few more yards.

PK Lawrence Tynes 3 - 3 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 11 points

Tynes provided perfection as a kicker. He successfully converted on all five kicks for points and he consistently was able to send the kickoffs into the end zone or close to it.

KC Rush Defense

The Kansas City defense was able to contain Edgerrin James and the Cardinals’ rushing offense. They prevented him from significant gains and from establishing any kind of a steady attack. As the fourth quarter began and Arizona could have come close to putting the game out of reach, James gained nine yards on a first and ten, but then on successive plays, he ran for no gain and Arizona had to punt.

KC Pass Defense

The Chiefs’ pass defense had a rough start in this contest as they gave up two passing touchdowns to rookie quarterback Matt Leinart on Leinart’s first two offensive series as a starting professional quarterback. The defense made adjustments and started getting to Leinart. He never came close to producing another touchdown. The defense started controlling the game, with a lot of pressure on the rookie quarterback. They caught him for four sacks and cornerback Ty Law picked up his second interception of the year.

QB Matt Leinart, Pass: 22 - 35 - 253 - 2 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 1 - 4 - 0

Leinart could have been expected to have trouble. He was a highly touted rookie coming out of college after two national championships and a Heisman trophy, but this was his first professional football start. He came out like a poised veteran. He completed his first six passes including two touchdowns. The first touchdown was a 49 yard strike to wide receiver Anquan Boldin. He finished with good statistics and a lot of promise for the future. However he also showed rookie mistakes including holding onto the ball too long instead of throwing it away a couple times and throwing one very poor and ill advised pass that was picked off by Chiefs’ player Ty Law.

RB Edgerrin James, Rush: 24 - 71 - 0, Rec: 6 - 44 - 0 (6 targets)

James had a good game statistically. He caught all six passes thrown his way. He compiled 115 total yards. He established himself as the safety net for quarterback Matt Leinart. His totals and performance were a little tinged by his inability to break anything out and by averaging less than three yards per carry.

RB Obafemi Ayanbadejo, Rec: 2 - 9 - 0 (2 targets)

Fullback Ayanbadejo mostly saw action on special teams. He did catch both passes thrown to him but he fumbled away one of his catches.

RB Marcel Shipp (1 targets)

Shipp did not accumulate any yardage in this game. He was primarily a special teams player.

WR Bryant Johnson, Rec: 6 - 82 - 0 (10 targets)

Johnson, who is considered the third receiver in the Arizona attack, was the most targeted receiver in the game by Matt Leinart. He pulled in six of the ten balls thrown his way during this contest and had a team high 82 yards receiving. Bryant Johnson was new starting quarterback Matt Leinart’s favorite target during this contest.

WR Anquan Boldin, Rush: 1 - 1 - 0, Rec: 4 - 71 - 1 (7 targets)

Boldin provides a strong and skilled target for Leinart. He is adept at using his body to position for a catch. His touchdown was caught in stride and while pulling away from the defender. He finished with a good day and very good yardage total.

WR Larry Fitzgerald, Rec: 2 - 15 - 1 (2 targets)

Fitzgerald surprisingly did not see any more passes come his way after the second Arizona offensive series of the game. In that second series he caught both passes thrown to him, the second for a five yard touchdown. Fitzgerald suffered a hamstring injury during the first quarter of play, and did not return to the game. It is reported that he will be out for two to five weeks.

TE Leonard Pope (2 targets)

Pope was considered occasionally in the offense but caught neither of the two targeted passes thrown his way.

PK Neil Rackers 2 - 3 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 8 points

Rackers was the surprise top kicker in the league in 2005, but with less chances, has been lagging slightly behind last year’s production. Through the first three quarters and almost all of the fourth quarter, he was perfect on his kicks. Unfortunately for him, in this game, he will be remembered for his last second kick that went just barely wide right. After successfully completing two field goals of over 40 yards and two extra points, he missed the decisive 51 yard kick at the end of the contest.

ARI Rush Defense

The Arizona rushing defense was dominant. They held one of the league’s best rushers to just 36 yards, the entire Chiefs’ team to just 39 yards rushing, and they forced two Kansas City fumbles. The rush defense stacked the line of scrimmage with linemen and linebackers to great effect holding Kansas City to less than two yards per rushing attempt.

ARI Pass Defense

The Cardinals’ pass defense was victimized by the precision passing of Kansas City quarterback Damon Huard. They reached him for three sacks but no interceptions. They kept him to short completions but allowed extra yardage after the catch. Including a huge gain near the end of the game after a catch by Larry Johnson, Arizona gave up almost 300 yards through the air. They would have probably given up another passing touchdown at the end of the game except for a flagrant face mask penalty on cornerback Antrel Rolle.