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| ATL at ARI | BAL at SEA | CLE at CIN | DAL at CAR | DEN at SD | GB at CHI | HOU at IND | KC at DET |
| MIA at NE | NYG at BUF | NYJ at TEN | OAK at JAX | PHI at NO | PIT at STL | TB at SF | WAS at MIN |
Week 16 Game Recap: Kansas City Chiefs 20, Detroit Lions 25
What you need to know
| Kansas City Chiefs |
The one good thing to look forward to for this game was that somebody would have to finally win. The two combatants entered this contest with a combined 13 straight losses. After, early in the year, being in first place with a 4-3 record, the Chiefs had lost seven straight games. Demonstrating a proven ability to lose ugly, the Chiefs kept their streak intact, losing for the eighth straight time. They remain tied at the bottom of the AFC West with a 4-11 record.
The Chiefs almost gave up this game to an early rout by the Lions. They surrendered one rushing touchdown, a safety following a blocked punt, a field goal, and a long interception return for a touchdown before the middle of the second quarter. That quick, they were down 19-0 and the game appeared to have gotten away. Additionally, on the interception return, quarterback Brodie Croyle attempted an ill advised tackle and was lost for the game due to injuring his right wrist on that play. To add insult to injury (sorry), Croyle was called for an illegal low block on the play, resulting in an extra 15 yards tacked onto the ensuing kickoff. Croyle had been ineffective, but now the Chiefs were without their starting quarterback.
Damon Huard came in, and with apparent license to open up the game a little, he put on an impressive display to close out the half, leading the team on 80 and 77 yard drives for touchdowns. The Chiefs bogged down in the second half, but Huard at least gave the Chiefs a chance. He finished with 24 out of 36 passing for 304 yards and two touchdowns. Unfortunately it was not enough.
The Chiefs dominated the Lions in yards gained, first downs, and time of possession, but made too many mistakes, allowing the Lions to steal this contest. Kolby Smith had a decent game, picking up 115 yards on the ground and in the air. Tony Gonzalez and Dwayne Bowe each stood out receiving. Gonzalez had ten receptions for 137 yards. He is now tied for the NFL career lead in 1000 yard seasons for a tight end at three. With 23 career 100 yard games, he is now just one game behind Kellen Winslow for most 100 yard games in an NFL career.
The Chiefs' defense was able to stop the Lions' offense for the most part. Jared Allen was a star on both sides of the ball. On defense, he had two sacks, giving him 13.5 for the year and one forced fumble (recovered by the Lions). On offense, he was targeted for the second time this year, caught his second pass of the year and scored his second receiving touchdown of the year. The Chiefs have some needs on defense but have some good players to build around.
| Detroit Lions |
Following a 6-2 start and dreams of a ten plus win season, the Lions were facing becoming the first NFL team ever to go 6-10 after winning six of their first eight games. The Detroit Lions, with a bit of luck, held on to win and avoided that dubious distinction. They now have the most wins for a Lions team in the last seven years. Of course, they had to hang on at the end against a bad Kansas city team while at home to do it.
It was hard to believe that a passing attack under offensive coordinator Mike Martz would be almost nonexistent. Missing Roy Williams, Jon Kitna only threw 16 times and managed only nine completions for just 115 yards. He also suffered one interception. No Lions receiver had more than two catches.
Just as the loss of the Chiefs starting quarterback, Brodie Croyle, seemed a blessing in disguise for the Chiefs (due to the play of Damon Huard), the Lions lost starting running back Kevin Jones to a right knee injury while he was having no luck against the Chiefs. Replacing him was T.J. Duckett, who had an excellent game. Duckett picked up 102 yards and one touchdown on the ground on 15 carries and added another 22 yards on two catches.
The kicking of veteran Jason Hanson proved to be the difference in this contest. Hanson had one early field goal of 46 yards and then, to seal the victory, he had successful kicks of 20 and 47 yards.
The Detroit defense had a period in the second quarter where they were dominated by the Chiefs and they gave up a lot of yards, but they managed to stop Kansas city when it mattered. In particular Kenoy Kennedy, Shaun Rogers, and Paris Lenon victimized the Chiefs and prevented them from mounting consistent successful drives. Casey Fitzsimmons stood out on special teams, blocking a Kansas City punt that rolled out of the Chiefs' end zone for a safety.
What you ought to know
| QB Damon Huard, Pass: 24 - 36 - 305 - 2 TD / 0 INT |
Huard came on in relief and looked fantastic for the remainder of the first half. He mounted two strong touchdown drives before halftime. He finished the game completing 24 of 36 passes for 305 yards and two touchdowns, but his success was in the first half with wide open play calling. In the second half, it seemed the Chiefs went back to conservative short passing calls and except for one drive, they were unable to mount anything complete. With little to lose, it seems that perhaps whoever the Chiefs start at quarterback, he should be allowed to open it up for all four quarters.
| QB Brodie Croyle, Pass: 9 - 12 - 69 - 0 TD / 1 INT |
Croyle was anything but effective against the Lions. His passing attempts were short and insufficient to mount drives. He finished with just 69 yards on nine out of twelve passing. He threw one interception that was returned 61 yards for a touchdown. On that play he attempted an unsuccessful low block that was called for a penalty and resulted in an injury to his right wrist and him sitting out the rest of the game.
| RB Kolby Smith, Rush: 17 - 60 - 0, Rec: 7 - 55 - 0 (7 targets) |
Smith only had 60 yards on 17 carries, but he caught all seven passes thrown to him for an additional 55 yards. That is especially significant after he had seemed to have trouble securing the ball in his first few games. This should build the Chiefs' coaches' confidence in Smith's abilities.
| RB Jackie Battle, Rush: 1 - 3 - 1 (1 targets) |
Jackie Battle's career rushing attempts are an astounding success. After several injuries for the Chiefs at rushing back, Battle was brought in to be the backup to Kolby Smith. In his first and only rushing attempt ever in the league, Battle ran three yards and scored a touchdown. He did not get any more carries and only had one incomplete pass thrown his way. Still, that is not a bad beginning.
| WR Dwayne Bowe, Rec: 8 - 97 - 1 (13 targets) |
Bowe had an excellent game as he pulled in eight of the 13 passes intended for him, picking up 97 yards. One of his catches was a hotly contested 34 yarder that he grabbed in the end zone and held onto despite a Lions' defender also having grabbed it. They struggled and Bowe clearly held onto it all the way to the ground.
| WR Jeff Webb, Rec: 3 - 19 - 0 (7 targets) |
Jeff Webb caught three of the seven passes thrown to him for nineteen yards.
| WR Samie Parker, Rec: 2 - 56 - 0 (4 targets) |
Parker caught two passes for 56 yards. On the last play of the game, he also received a lateral from Kolby Smith that he carried or 21 yards while time was running out. On one of his cuts, he slipped and fell to the ground, ending the game as time ran out.
| TE Tony Gonzalez, Rec: 10 - 137 - 0 (16 targets) |
On such a remarkable day for Pro Bowl great Tony Gonzalez you would think he should have been part of a winning effort. He accumulated 137 yards, hauling in ten of the 16 passes targeted for him. That effort saw him reach a couple more career high points. He tied for most ever career 1000 yard seasons at three and he is now just one 100 yard game behind Kellen Winslow's career record of 24. Gonzalez continues to catch almost anything thrown his way and gains the tough yards afterward as he punishes would be tacklers. He does this consistently despite receiving the main coverage from opposing defenses.
| TE Kris Wilson (1 targets) |
Kris Wilson was only targeted one time. He had no catches and no yards gained.
| PK John Carney 0 - 0 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 2 points |
Carney was not called on for any field goal attempts and does not seem to have Coach Herm Edwards' confidence in the strength of his kicking leg. He successfully completed both of his extra point attempts.
| KC Rush Defense |
The Chiefs rush defense stopped the Lions' starting running back, Kevin Jones, completely, even to the point where he left the game with a right knee injury at the end of the first half and did not return. However, they were totally dominated by backup running back T.J. Duckett who gained 6.8 yards per carry and ran through the Chiefs for a touchdown.
| KC Pass Defense |
The Kansas City pass defense was very effective against Jon Kitna. They limited Kitna to just 115 yards through the air while picking up two sacks, one interception, and forcing one fumble. In particular, Jared Allen stood out as he picked up two more sacks and also forced Kitna to fumble. The Chiefs defense was strong enough for this contest, but the offense and special teams were not.
| QB Jon Kitna, Pass: 9 - 16 - 115 - 0 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 4 - 8 - 0 |
Kitna is a strong and enthusiastic player, but lately he has not demonstrated the skill to take the Lions to the playoffs. He completed only nine of 16 pass attempts for just 115 yards. That just does not seem right for a team with Mike Martz as the offensive coordinator. He also threw one interception and had one fumble (recovered by Detroit). Kitna is missing his main receiver, Roy Williams, and he does not seem to be near the team leader he was early in the season.
| RB T.J. Duckett, Rush: 15 - 102 - 1, Rec: 2 - 22 - 0 (2 targets) |
Duckett was running with authority. He became the starting running back after Kevin Jones' injury and seems to be the better back at this time. Duckett finished with 102 yards on just 15 carries, including a rushing touchdown. He also caught both passes sent his way for 22 yards. Duckett may see more activity next week depending on the severity of the injury to Jones.
| RB Kevin Jones, Rush: 8 - 15 - 0, Rec: 1 - 6 - 0 (1 targets) |
Kevin Jones was unable to break free against the Chiefs defense. He had only 15 yards on eight carries. Unfortunately, he was injured on the next to last play of the first half, a meaningless rushing attempt with time running out. It was reported as a right knee injury.
| RB Aveion Cason, Rush: 4 - 10 - 0, Rec: 1 - 7 - 0 (1 targets) |
Cason made brief appearances as a relief rusher in addition to returning kickoffs. He seems to be an all around good player who does not have much fantasy value.
| WR Calvin Johnson, Rush: 1 - 2 - 0, Rec: 2 - 47 - 0 (5 targets) |
Johnson pulled in two of the passes sent his way for 47 yards. He saw a couple passes sail away off target. In what could be considered a battle between two of the top rookie wide receivers, Johnson clearly is currently behind the Chiefs' Dwayne Bowe.
| WR Shaun McDonald, Rec: 2 - 26 - 0 (6 targets) |
McDonald was another of the two reception receivers for the Lions. He gained 26 yards but had some problems securing Kitna's throws. He dropped a couple passes that he should have had.
| TE Sean McHugh, Rec: 1 - 7 - 0 (1 targets) |
McHugh caught the only pass thrown his way, but it was for only seven yards.
| PK Jason Hanson 3 - 3 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 11 points |
The veteran Jason Hanson had an excellent day and possibly saved this one for the Lions, ending their string of losses. Hanson converted a 46 yard field goal attempt early in the contest. He then added to his totals with successful field goals of 20 and 47 yards later that secured the victory. He also converted both extra point attempts.
| DET Rush Defense |
The Detroit rush defense had a very good day, limiting the Chiefs to 63 net yards. They gave up 60 yards to Kolby Smith on 17 carries, but prevented any large running plays.
| DET Pass Defense |
The Lions pass defense definitely came ready to stop Chiefs' quarterback Brodie Croyle and they did a great job of it. They had one interception return of 61 yards for a touchdown by Paris Lenon and held Croyle to 69 yards on nine out of twelve passing. Croyle left the game after getting injured during the interception return and the Lions' defense did not fare nearly as well against backup Damon Huard, who torched the Lions for over 300 yards and two touchdowns through the air.
