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Week 1 Game Recap: Kansas City Chiefs 3, Houston Texans 20
What you need to know
| Kansas City Chiefs |
Kansas City had a horrific scare and a vision of a dreadful night to come on their first play of the regular season. On an end around, Damon Huard handed the ball off to wide receiver Eddie Kennison who had clear sailing. Kennison appeared to be headed for a first down when he started limping and hopped straight over to the sideline. Later diagnosis revealed he had suffered an injury to his right hamstring. The Chiefs' leading receiver never returned to the game. It is not yet known how serious the injury is.
The Chiefs then started to mount a good drive but saw their fortunes slide downhill with rookie mistakes. In the last regular play of the drive, Kennison's replacement Dwayne Bowe dropped a pass that would have given the Chiefs a first down. Then rookie place kicker Justin Medlock missed his first regular season NFL field goal attempt. It was a try of 30 yards. For the Kansas City offense and for Huard, it became a game of botched opportunities.
Huard's stats did not truly reflect his performance. There were repeated passes dropped during the game as he completed 22 of 33 passes for only 168 yards and two interceptions. The first interception was not his fault at all. He had put the ball into the midsection of Jeff Webb but it bounced off of Webb and was picked out of the air by Houston's Dunta Robinson.
As was expected, Kansas City tried to take some of the pressure off of Larry Johnson by not giving him the ball as often for this game. It was fairly obvious that the Chiefs will have to get Johnson and tight end Tony Gonzalez in the game a lot more to have offensive success this year. Huard did have some success with second and third wide receivers Samie Parker who had four catches and Dwayne Bowe who hauled in three passes.
Kansas City fans will not be able to forget the great returns of Dante Hall very soon. While Eddie Drummond had a strong kickoff return average, he fumbled on one kickoff return, which the Texans later converted to a field goal.
| Houston Texans |
This was a game for Gary Kubiak and the Houston Texans to answer their critics from the past two years. One year after almost everyone ridiculed them for passing up Reggie Bush and Vince Young in favor of defensive end Mario Williams, the play of Williams partially justified that decision. Williams recorded two sacks and enjoyed a fumble return for a touchdown, leading the Texans' defense in a dominating win over the Chiefs offense. Of course that does not guarantee that the Houston defense has turned the corner toward respectability yet. The Chiefs' offense has still not demonstrated any semblance of proficiency yet this year.
After letting go of the franchise quarterback, David Carr, who the team had pinned its hopes on since its inception, Coach Kubiak was able to successfully get four year Atlanta backup Matt Schaub. He immediately handed him the keys to the Texans' offense while many critics doubted the wisdom of such a move. For this game Schaub, validated his coach's decision with a good but not spectacular performance, providing the Texans with their second opening day win ever.
Ahman Green looked quite a bit like the powerful back who once helped the Packers team run so well. Sharing some carries with backup Ron Dayne, he totaled 96 yards on the ground and in the air. Andre Johnson enjoyed Schaub's accuracy and the relief that the speedy Jacoby Jones on the other side of the line provided him. Johnson collected seven passes for 142 yards and a touchdown. His strong performance made it possible to overlook a fumble he lost.
More than any individual's play; the opportunistic Texans' defense secured this win against an ineffective and stumbling Chiefs' offense.
What you ought to know
| QB Damon Huard, Pass: 22 - 33 - 168 - 0 TD / 2 INT, Rush: 1 - 0 - 0 |
Huard came into this contest following injuries during a preseason where he only made nine pass attempts. He did not win the quarterback job this year as much as Brodie Croyle lost it. At least he finally had his first chance to be the season starting quarterback for a team after ten years in the league. His final statistics were not impressive completing 22 of 33 passes for 168 yards. He did not complete any touchdowns but did throw two interceptions. There is some hope for the future if his receivers can become a little more sure handed. There were far too many dropped passes. Repeated performances like this and there will be no reason not to bring in Brodie Croyle to allow Croyle to learn under fire.
| RB Larry Johnson, Rush: 10 - 43 - 0, Rec: 7 - 44 - 0 (8 targets) |
Johnson showed no ill effects from his extended holdout which saw him miss all of training camp. He was obviously under utilized as Coach Edwards eased him back in. While only carrying ten times, he was targeted in the passing game more than in past years, catching seven of the eight passes thrown his way. Johnson should see a lot more action in upcoming games as the fortunes of the Chiefs will depend on his performance during those games. He finished with 87 yards from scrimmage on 17 touches. He should be depended on for greater totals in most games this year.
| RB Michael Bennett, Rush: 5 - 24 - 0, Rec: 2 - 10 - 0 (2 targets) |
Bennett looked good as a back-up and situational back to occasionally fill in for Johnson. He was dependable on short stints in running out of the backfield and as a receiver, catching both passes thrown his way. He remains a viable fantasy handcuff for Larry Johnson.
| WR Samie Parker, Rec: 4 - 48 - 0 (7 targets) |
Parker showed glimpses of promise as he pulled in four of the seven passes thrown his way for 48 yards. He had some excellent catches where he demonstrated exceptional ball awareness.
| WR Dwayne Bowe, Rec: 3 - 42 - 0 (7 targets) |
Rookie Dwayne Bowe came in as one of the primary targets for Huard after Eddie Kennison was forced from the contest on the first Chiefs' offensive play. Bowe caught three of the seven passes thrown his way for 42 yards but should have done better. He has a promising future and could be a valuable pick up in keeper leagues.
| WR Eddie Kennison, Rush: 1 - 5 - 0 |
The Chiefs' top receiver, Eddie Kennison was handed the ball on an end around on the first offensive play of the game for the Chiefs. As he went untouched around the end for what at first appeared would be a good gain, he started limping and hobbled off of the field with an obvious problem to his right leg. After he left the game for good, it was reported to be a right hamstring injury. It was not yet known how serious the injury is. Dwayne Bowe took his place. If he is out for an extended period, he will be missed.
| WR Eddie Drummond |
Newly arrived return man Eddie Drummond was never targeted as a receiver but his performance was part of the problem for the Chiefs. He had a good average of 26.3 yards per return on three kickoffs, but his one fumbled return led to a Texans' score. That will not endear him in the hearts and minds of management and fans who still remember the exploits of departed Dante Hall.
| WR Jeff Webb (1 targets) |
Webb had one pass thrown to him. He should have had it, but it deflected off of him and was intercepted by Dunta Robinson. It was not a good day or a memorable performance for Webb.
| TE Tony Gonzalez, Rec: 5 - 28 - 0 (7 targets) |
Gonzalez received excellent coverage but still managed to pull in five of the seven passes intended for him. He only accumulated 28 yards on the completions, but he was one of the prime targets to watch for the Texans' defense.
| TE Kris Wilson, Rec: 1 - -4 - 0 (2 targets) |
Wilson was used primarily as a lead back and appeared to handle that job pretty well. He was a disappointment on his only touch however. He only caught one pass, which was immediately knocked out of his hands for which he was credited a fumble.
| PK Justin Medlock 1 - 2 FG, 0 - 0 XP, 3 points |
Rookie kicker Justin Medlock had a rough preseason and so, last week, the Chiefs brought in six other kickers to tryout and compete for Medlock's job. It would not be surprising to see Kansas City bring in more kickers after Medlock's results in his first game. He spoiled the Chiefs one chance to take the lead by missing a 30 yarder on the first offensive drive for the Chiefs. He later made his only other try for 27 yards.
| KC Rush Defense |
Kansas City's rush defense gave up just over one hundred yards on 29 carries, but they allowed Ahman Green to average 4.5 yards as he gained 73 yards on 16 carries. They bent but did not break. The problems on the Chiefs' offensive side did not allow the defense to have a great game.
The Chiefs hurt themselves by allowing the Texans to control the ball too much on long drives. In particular, Houston held the ball for the first ten minutes of the fourth quarter and finished it off with a successful field goal.
| KC Pass Defense |
The Chiefs' pass defense was torched for a big yardage touchdown between Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson. Jarrod Page did pick off one attempt by Schaub. Due to offensive errors the Chiefs were forced to spend too much time on the field. The Chiefs defense did not stop Houston when they needed to.
| QB Matt Schaub, Pass: 16 - 22 - 225 - 1 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 1 - -1 - 0 |
Schaub has to be pleased with his first regular season start as the Houston quarterback. He finally got away from being the backup at Atlanta and is in a position where he can show what he can do. He responded with an overall good performance completing 16 of 22 passes for 225 yards and one touchdown. He guided the Texans as they controlled the line of scrimmage and the time of possession. He did make one bad choice which cost him as it led to his only interception. He should compile good stats as he gains more confidence and as he gets more familiar with his teammates.
| RB Ahman Green, Rush: 16 - 73 - 0, Rec: 4 - 23 - 0 (5 targets) |
Green looked good in his new home. As the top backfield option for the Texans, he evoked memories of his tremendous performances with the Packers. He was steady while compiling 96 yards on 20 touches. Most important, he looked healthy, strong, and ready to have a solid season.
| RB Ron Dayne, Rush: 13 - 33 - 0 (1 targets) |
Last year's Houston rushing leader, Ron Dayne, now backs up Ahman Green. As such he provided good relief time for Green. He did not have any receptions but he can be counted on in the running and in the passing game.
| RB Vonta Leach, Rec: 1 - 3 - 0 (1 targets) |
Fullback Vonta Leach caught the only pass thrown his way and does not hold any fantasy value.
| WR Andre Johnson, Rec: 7 - 142 - 1 (10 targets) |
Johnson has been told to expect a big year with Schaub behind center and Jones on the opposite end of the line. He seems to be delivering on that promise quickly. He corralled seven of the ten passes that Schaub sent his way for a whopping 142 yards and one score. He did get stripped of the ball on one of his catches, but otherwise it was a standout performance on what should be an excellent year.
| WR Jacoby Jones, Rush: 1 - 4 - 0, Rec: 2 - 33 - 0 (4 targets) |
Rookie wideout Jacoby Jones provides the Texans with the best receiver tandem they have ever had. His tremendous speed stretches the field and prevents too much defensive concentration on Andre Johnson. He caught two of the passes thrown to him for 33 yards and was also used once as a runner.
| WR Kevin Walter, Rec: 1 - 10 - 0 (2 targets) |
Walter provided another receiving option for Schaub. He was targeted twice and pulled in one pass for ten yards.
| TE Owen Daniels, Rec: 1 - 14 - 0 (1 targets) |
A lot is expected of Owen Daniels this year and he should have much bigger games in the weeks ahead. In this game, he caught the only pass that came his way.
| PK Kris Brown 2 - 2 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 8 points |
The quality kicker Kris Brown did everything asked of him. He was successful on both field goal attempts and on both extra point kicks.
| HOU Rush Defense |
The Texans' rush defense finished up with exceptional stats, giving up only 72 yards, but that was still allowing 4.5 yards per carry. They did not seem to stop the Chiefs as much as the Chiefs' play calling did. The defense deserves credit for a successful game but they will need to prove themselves against a more effective offense before they can be counted on very much.
| HOU Pass Defense |
The Texans' pass defense limited the Kansas City offense to 168 yards while taking away two passes. They harassed Chiefs' quarterback Damon Huard into mistakes and sacked him twice. Mario Williams was especially effective, recovering one fumble after a Chiefs' pass reception and returning it 38 yards for a touchdown. Last year's number one draft pick, Williams, also sacked Huard twice.
