The Ravens came into this AFC wild card game and showed what a veteran playoff team looks like. They have won there last 3 wild card games and all of them had similar reasons for success. Create turnovers, control the clock and play a full 60 minutes of football. The Chiefs showed they aren't ready for the playoffs, but they definately wont be a one year wonder. This team is built for long term success and adding a few more pieces in this years draft and maybe a veteran or two will go a long way in helping this team get over the hump it now sits on. There is no place worse for a franchise then middle of the pack. Not bad enough to get a high draft pick, not good enough to win a super bowl. The Chiefs will not be one of those teams, they have talent that can still get better and improve upon a suprisingly strong, fun 2010 season. That 7 game Playoff losing streak, which is an NFL record, will not be increasing that much more, if at all.
Anyway, here is a look at some numbers that will show you exactly what happened in this game.
0 - Passes thrown to Dwayne Bowe. I have a whole lot I want to say about this, but it just baffles my mind that a guy who was a huge part of your success on the season cant even get one shot. You couldnt throw an out route? No slants in the game plan? Was it too cold for the fade? If Kevin Curtis can get signed on Wednesday and get 2 targets on Sunday, Bowe should have recieved his fair share.
3 - There is a bunch of 3's, but Im going to focus on the one I thought played the biggest role and that is the number of first downs the Ravens recieved from Chiefs penalties. Like they needed our help! The Ravens had 26 first downs compared to the Chiefs 8, but if you expect to win any game you cannot give your opponent extra opportunities.
5 - Turnovers. The Chiefs came into this wild card game only commiting 14 turnovers all year, second in the NFL to the Patriots. I really thought they would keep that total, win or lose, after this game. Winning the turnover battle is CRUCIAL to success and the Chiefs blew it. The second half of football the Chiefs imploded, coughing up the ball 4 times!!! Good luck winning the game with that many turnovers.
9 - Carries for Charles. This guy does not care who he plays, he's going to get yards. 82 yards on 9 carries is good for a 9.1 yard average. I know that when your down that logically the fastest way to come back is to pass. Well when your getting 3.9 yards per pass completion there might be a better alternative and Charles is that alternative. I really hope he gets more carries next year. He could break all sorts of records.
20.4 - Cassel was not the Cassel we saw all year these last 2 weeks and his QB rating in this game was just terrible. He completed 9 of 18 passes for 70 yards with 3 INT. He cannot play like this in any game if he wants to give the Chiefs a chance to win. You cannot expect to run if you cannot pass and vice versa. Balance is the key and Cassel inefficiency played a very big role in why the Chiefs were dismantled. They couldn't sustain drives which played a part in our defense getting worn down.
27 - Unanswered points scored by the Ravens. The Chiefs took a 7-3 lead and all signs were pointing up. Then the ball dropped. Offensively, defensively and even special teams. Being outscored 20-0 at home in a playoff game is just flat out embarrassing
40 - Total plays the Chiefs managed to run. They just couldn't stay on the field. If it wasn't a 3 and out it was a turnover. Really gave Baltimore more than enough opportunites to win the game and a veteran team like that one doesn't need any help.
41:44 - Baltimores time of possession. Thats almost 3 quarters!
So as you can see the Chiefs lost everything. They didn't control the clock. They didn't force enough 3 and outs. They didn't sustain drives and didn't get their key personnel involved in the game. They simply played like a team that was outmatched. On the opposite side the Ravens showed why they have been winning these games the last few years and will probably give Pittsburgh all it can handle in next weeks game.
On a side note: This years Chiefs played hard, they played smart and they showed that the Chiefs as an organization is back on the right track! Im excited for the future of this organization. Im excited to watch these players keep developing. Im excited to see this team reach its ultimate goal of competing for a championship. Its going to happen sooner rather than later.
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