Still two games away from their halfway point of the season, the Chiefs have already endured enough injuries, controversy, and off the field issues to last a couple of seasons. It will be a tough road for the Chiefs to get back on track this week as they travel to take on the New York Jets. After a off season filled with veteran signings and the trade for Brett Favre the Jets figured to be major players in the AFC east, after the Patriots lost Tom Brady for the season the Jets figured to runaway with the division. But over the first six weeks of the season the Jets have struggled with consistency having put up 56 points on the first place Cardinals and losing to a lesser Raiders team 16-13.

As the Chiefs try to climb out of the cellar of the AFC west they will have to go for sometime without star running back Larry Johnson who will be deactivated again for a second straight week as a possible suspension from the NFL and Roger Goodell looms over his head. Tyler Thigpen will be making his second start of the season as quarterbacks Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard sustained season ending injuries against the Titans. Thigpen has been erratic to say the least in his playing time thus far this season he has a 2-1 interception to touchdown ratio a quarterback rating of 44.3 and is completing under 50% of his passes. If the Chiefs have any chance in this contest they will need Thigpen to learn from his mistakes and become the field general the Chiefs have lacked this season.


The Chiefs need to expect the Jets A game this week since the Jets are coming off a overtime loss to the Raiders that put them at 3-3 and in third place in a tight divisional race. The Chiefs have struggled to match other teams intensity this season especially after getting down early. A good start to this one will be essential to the Chiefs success, being beaten a combined 68-10 the past two weeks they cannot afford to let the Jets crowd get in this one from the onset. If the crowd becomes a factor in this contest they could be in for another long day. A home coming is in store for Herm Edwards as he takes on his former team a team that still has a lot of players on it he picked, if his old team de-pants his current team in the media market of the world it could really throw salt in the wounds for this embattled coach.


Keys to the game

1. Win the battle of the # 4?s: The number on the back of the jerseys of both of the starting quarterbacks in this game is 4, one quarterback holds the record for the most touchdown passes and is a first ballot hall of famer. While the other is a second year quarterback from Coastal Carolina who has one of the worst passer ratings in the NFL. Winning this battle will be a tough challenge that will have to include the cooperation of the offense and the defense. The offensive line will have to give Thigpen the time in the pocket they did not give Huard or Croyle. The defense will have to find away cause some turnovers and apply some pressure on Favre.

2. Find L.J.?s replacement: Larry Johnson and his legal woes look like they will be getting worse before they get any better and a suspension is probable for his future. While Johnson gets his affairs in order the Chiefs will need someone to step up from their stable of young backs. Last week Kolby Smith struggled against the Titans but most backs struggle against the Titans, Smith figures to be the featured back again this week against the Jets splitting carries with speedy Jamal Charles. If L.J.?s problems become a long term situation keeping him off the field one name to keep in mind is Jackie Battle. A second year player who looked like a young L.J in the pre season and ran over defenders until he made the team. The Chiefs need hungry players and Battle plays hungry.

3. Gunther needs to condense the nonsense: The Chiefs defense has played flat out been terrible this season, in it?s last two games the Chiefs Defense has been burned for long touchdowns by two of the slower position players in the NFL. Muhsin Mohamed and LenDale White. That means that the defense was either severely out of position or they were already mentally checked out. Whatever is wrong with this defense that is on pace to give up 3200 yards rushing needs to be corrected . The Chiefs have too much talent on defense to give up the points and yards teams have been racking up against them, nine of the Chiefs starters were drafted during Gunther?s regime he finally has the players he has been asking for but has lacked results. If he can?t get things turned around it?s hard to imagine Gun back in 09.

Injury Report

Dustin Colquitt P Groin- questionable

Donnie Edwards LB Ankle- probable

Jets Report

Mike Nugent K Thigh- Out

Bubba Franks TE Hip- Doubtful

Chris Baker TE Back- Questionable

Jerricho Cotchery WR Shoulder- Questionable

Damien Woody T Calf- Questionable

Laveranues Coles WR Head- Probable

Kris Jenkins DT Back- Probable

Brandon Moore G Foot- Probable

Calvin Pace LB Foot- Probable

Eric Smith S Head- Probable

Weather Report: Weather at kickoff will be 57 degrees and sunny with a 9 MPH westerly wind.


Final Score: Chiefs 13 Jets 37 Brett Favre roasted the Chiefs secondary last year and given the Chiefs recent struggles he has to be licking his chops thinking of this match up. The Jets are a experienced team that will take advantage of the mental mistakes the Chiefs have been making this season. Tyler Thigpen behind center with no L.J. in the back field sounds like a scary combination for the Chiefs who may just be outmanned in this one. Favre will get his stats and put this game away by the end of the third quarter.