photo credit David Eulitt
It was not pretty as a matter of fact it was down right ugly but a win is a win and the Chiefs will take it as they down they Washington Redskins 14-6. The Chiefs who had been so close to victory in three games this season finally figure out how to close out a game and at the same time add salt to the wound of a Washington team that is already spiraling and with this defeat may lead to a coaching change. To put in perspective how ugly this game was out of the first nine drives of the game there were two fumbles and seven punts. Field position was definitely a key in this game as the Chiefs got the advantage field position wise they were able to convert it in to a 39 yard field goal to take their first lead of the day 3-0.

After the Ryan Succop field goal another flurry of punts ensued and with 2:15 left ion the 2nd quarter embattled QB Jason Campbell took the field looking to get the redskins heir first lead of the game, the Skins were able to advance to the K.C. 36 yard line before being picked off by Brandon Flowers sending the game to half with the Redskins still trailing 3-0. The turnover would prove to be more costly than a simple change of possession for Campbell as he was benched and replaced by veteran Todd Collins. Collins started out hot on his first drive hitting Santana Moss on a 42 yard gain setting up the Skins 1st field goal of the game tying the score 3-3.

On the Redskins next drive Collins would again lead them on a scoring drive highlighted by a 78 run by Clinton Portis that set up a 28 yard field goal as Redskins took their first and only lead 6-3. The Chiefs would answer right back going 9 plays and 52 yards to set up a 46 yard Ryan Succop field goal as the Chiefs pulled even at 6-6. The Redskins would generate zero offense the rest of the afternoon even their special teams started to fall apart as DeMorrio Williams blocked a punt at the 10:03 mark of the 4th quarter . The blocked kick even though it did not translate in to points did signal a swing in momentum and kept the Chiefs winning the oh so important battle of field position.

With 5:55 left in the 4th quarter the Chiefs would find themselves in a position to take the lead and potentially win their 1st game of the year and the Chiefs would not disappoint getting in position to set up another Ryan Succop field goal this time a 46 yarder. The Chiefs were no in front 9-6 with 3:41 remaining and on the Redskins next possession they would go three and out setting up a risky decision by head coach Jim Zorn to punt and give the Chiefs the ball back with only 2:06 remaining. Bobby Wade’s 17 yard punt return would set the Chiefs up at the Washington 37 yard line and after Matt Cassel found Dwayne Bowe on a quick slant 32 yard catch and run this game was pretty much over. The Chiefs would play it conservative the rest of the way settling to run out clock and take the 24 yard Ryan Succop field goal.

The Redskins would have one more chance as they got the ball back with 37 seconds left down 12-6 but a illegal blocking penalty on the kick return would set up the Skins at their own 7 yard line the very next play Todd Collins was dropped by Tamba Hali in the end zone for a safety. The Chiefs would recover the onside kick take the victory formation and close it out in Washington 14-6. Everybody was smiles after the game even coach Todd Haley who was little bit colder than everybody else after getting the Gatorade bath, hopefully this is a turning point for the Chiefs and the can figure out how to get on a run back to respectability.

Grading the keys to the game

1.Don‘t let the Redskins get healthy: The Chiefs did exactly what they were supposed to do this afternoon, hit a team when they were down and they did it with good defense and their big three. Matt Cassel was 17 for 32 for 186 yards but the Chiefs receivers had 6 drops and Cassel made the big throws when he had to, Dwayne Bowe had 6 catches for 109 yards and a big 32 yard catch in the 4th quarter even L.J. pitched in with his best game of the year going for 83 yards on 23 carries. Most important the Chiefs never got down and whenever Washington scored the Chiefs answered right back, that is a quality of winning football teams.

Grade: A+

2. Block Albert Haynesworth: Haynesworth hit or pressured Cassel at least seven times in this game but the O-line still figured out a way for the chiefs to muster up over a hundred yards rushing against this defensive force. All in all you have to take what you can get against Haynesworth and this stingy Redskins defense and the Chiefs did just enough to win.

Grade: B-

3 Pressure Jason Campbell: The Chiefs may not have pressured Jason Campbell but they did get him yanked from the game which in effect is good enough as his replacement Todd Collins was only able to put 6 points on the board. The Chiefs also picked off a Campbell pass and sacked Collins for a safety, this is a effort the Chiefs will take week in and week out from their defense.

Grade: B+