Game Thread: Potentially Snowy Christmas Eve Game Against Miami

[Fountain City Blues]

No trollin', that's the forecast.


I don't remember there being snow in 1971, but by all accounts it was a muddy mess, so close enough.

The Kansas City Chiefs were able to maintain and extend their lead in the AFC West by defeating the Los Angeles Chargers 30-13.

QB Alex Smith had a good game, finishing the game with 23 completions on 30 attempts while also committing no turnovers. RB Kareem Hunt and WR Tyreek Hill both caught touchdown passes from Smith. Hunt also had 155 yards and another touchdown on the ground.

QB Philip Rivers had three interceptions, two of which coming late as the Chargers tried to close the scoring gap. He finished the game 20-of-36 for 227 yards and a touchdown along with those interceptions. RB Melvin Gordonhad 78 yards and rushing touchdown, adding 91 yards receiving as well.

CB Marcus Peters had two of Rivers’ interceptions and also forced a fumble, providing key plays in Kansas City’s victory. With that, we give you our PFF-exclusive takeaways from the contest for each team.



TOP 5 GRADES:
CB Marcus Peters, 93.0 overall grade

Edge Justin Houston, 92.4 overall grade

RB Kareem Hunt, 90.5 overall grade

T Mitchell Schwartz, 81.9 overall grade

QB Alex Smith, 81.8 overall grade

PERFORMANCES OF NOTE:
RB KAREEM HUNT, 90.5 OVERALL GRADE
The rookie running back reverted back to his early season form on his way to over 200 yards of total offense. He gained 155 yards rushing, 97 of those came after contact, with seven forced missed tackles as well. He also led the Chiefs in targets in the passing game with nine, catching seven for 51 yards.

QB ALEX SMITH, 81.8 OVERALL GRADE
Alex Smith’s line protected him well considering they were going up against a stud pass-rushing duo of Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. He was only pressured on eight of his 33 dropbacks and was efficient when given time, going 20-of-23 for 198 yards and two touchdowns with a clean pocket.

CB MARCUS PETERS, 93.0 OVERALL GRADE
With the help of a couple drops, Marcus Peters did not allow a catch on six targets on the night. But his biggest impact was easily the turnovers he created, as he had two interceptions and a forced fumble, even if at least one of the interceptions came easy on a miscommunication. Peters also broke up a pass, which surprisingly was only his second of the season.

EDGE JUSTIN HOUSTON, 92.4 OVERALL GRADE
Houston had five total pressures on 28 snaps rushing the passer, along with a couple other times he clearly had beaten the offensive tackle but was unable to generate actual pressure due to QB Philip Rivers getting the ball out quick enough. He also directly forced one of Rivers’ three interceptions by hitting him as he threw, causing the ball to fall short of the corner route Rivers was targeting.

Also the PFF thang from last week.

 

[Black Adam]

No trollin', that's the forecast.


I don't remember there being snow in 1971, but by all accounts it was a muddy mess, so close enough.



Also the PFF thang from last week.

have EXTREMELY bad personal memories from that game. it started a very dark period for Chiefs football afterwards. despised the Dolphins for a long period of time...

 

[Fountain City Blues]

The Kansas City Chiefs sealed their second-straight AFC West title by defeating the Miami Dolphins in Arrowhead Stadium.

QB Jay Cutler was 19-of-38 for 286 yards and a touchdown and did not have a turnover on the day. RB Kenyan Drake had 57 yards on 13 carries, but the biggest statistical contributor for the Dolphins was WR Jakeem Grant, who had 107 yards receiving on four catches and caught Cutler’s touchdown pass.

QB Alex Smith was 25-of-39 for 304 yards and threw a touchdown pass to TE Travis Kelce, who had 47 receiving yards in the game. RB Kareem Hunt had 91 yards on 29 carries and also scored a touchdown that helped extend the Chiefs’ second quarter lead.

K Harrison Butker was heavily utilized, as he was 5-of-6 on his field goal attempts. With that, we give you our PFF-exclusive takeaways from the contest for each team.



TOP 5 GRADES:
QB Alex Smith, 88.1 overall grade

CB Marcus Peters, 86.6 overall grade

WR Tyreek Hill, 85.1 overall grade

LB Derrick Johnson, 83.2 overall grade

S Daniel Sorensen, 82.9 overall grade

PERFORMANCES OF NOTE:
QB ALEX SMITH, 88.1 OVERALL GRADE
Smith killed it on deep passes, just like he has done all year. He completed three of six deep targets (20-plus yards downfield) for 120 yards. However, he also had two more good throws that should have been caught; a perfectly-thrown seam pass to Albert Wilson that was dropped, and a ball thrown to Travis Kelce who lost control of it as he hit the ground.

WR TYREEK HILL, 85.1 OVERALL GRADE
Hill caught six of seven targets for 109 yards, including a 52-yard reception, his sixth 50-plus yard reception of the year. He has 13 deep receptions thus far. His only incomplete target was his acrobatic catch in the end zone that looked good, but was ruled incomplete by the refs even after review.

CB MARCUS PETERS, 86.6 OVERALL GRADE
No surprise that Peters was stingy in coverage again, as he was targeted eight times, allowing only two receptions for 39 yards. He posted the best coverage grade among the Chiefs’ secondary. Peters has shown a knack for forcing fumbles too and was able to strip Kenny Stills, leading to a turnover for his defense.

LB DERRICK JOHNSON, 83.2 OVERALL GRADE
Johnson did drop drop a late game intercpetion but was the highest-graded coverage defender on defense with a grade of 87.2. Johnson has been very good against the pass throughout his career and this season is no different. He allowed 56 percent of the passes his way to be caught and tallied four pass break ups.

 

[Clayton]

A tale of three seasons for the Chiefs.

They are going to need to score more TDs and kick fewer FGs in the playoffs but there doesn't seem to be a dominant team so getting into the playoffs gives them a punchers chance.

Mahomes against Denver, maybe?