NFL Week 1 Results Reveal an AFC West Ripe for the Picking

by Rich Langford on Sep 11, 2011 7:03 PM PDT

Well, if the results in the first week of NFL action are any indication, the AFC West will be there for the taking. Kansas City looked as bad as a team could look in the opener, losing to the Bills 41-7, and the Chargers finished strong but were unimprisive in beating the Vikings 24-17. The Chargers defense definitely showed some signs of life in this one, and in terms of early season games they are way ahead of schedule.

Still, they looked far from unbeatable. Jump over for a glimpse of what they are saying on the enemies' blogs....

This comes to us via Arrowhead Pride:

The Good

The Chiefs had one good drive. One!
TE Leonard Pope had one of his better games as a Chief. Three catches for 24 yards. Yes, this is part of the "Good" category.
There are no more good things to list.

The Bad

RB Fred Jackson went over 100 yards against the Chiefs.
RB Jamaal Charles had just eight carries for the Chiefs -- none in the second half.
QB Matt Cassel rarely went deep and dumped off pass after pass it seemed.
The Chiefs as a team only rushed the ball 18 times. Four of those plays came in garbage time (if not more).

The Ugly

S Eric Berry was injured in the game, It's a knee injury and we're not sure how serious it is.
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick threw four touchdowns on the Chiefs. Four!
Thomas Jones and Ryan Fitzpatrick had the same number of rushing yards: 3.
Dexter McCluster and Jamaal Charles both fumbled the ball away to the Bills

And this comes to us via Bolts from the Blue:

What a rollercoaster of a game! I'm still unsure if I'm allowed to be angry about the team's slow start, or if a poor first quarter and a half is more a result of the offseason, lockout and influx of new players on the team.

The Chargers scored 17 points on offense and shut out the Vikings on defense in the second half, led by the Antwan Barnes and Takeo Spikes, among others.

Mike Tolbert finished the game as the only Charger to cross the goal line with the ball in his hands, which seems odd. Antonio Gates finished as the team's leading receiver with 74 receiving yards, but Ryan Mathews (who didn't fumble!) showed himself to be the team's best big play threat. He paired a 21 yard run with a 37 yard catch to force the Vikings defense to focus on him whenever he was on the field.

The Bolts' defense did a great job of containing Adrian Peterson and harassing Donovan McNabb all game. McNabb finished the game completing less than 50% of his passes, 2 sacks and an interception. The only way the Vikings offense could seemingly get anything going was when Donovan would run for big gains on broken plays.

Special Teams is still a major issue, but perhaps not as big of one as it was last year (because of the rule change).

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Comments

I was amazed how pooly the Chefs played.

Fred Jackson was far more effective than Spiller but they where getting it in chunks. Fitz looked pretty damn good as well 4 TD’s .

The Chargeless looked very beatable today. Although they neutralized AP very well. Harvin was doing damage they just couldn’t get it too him enough. The fraud known as Donovan McNabb and his 39 yards passing still had a chance to win.

The Raiders just need to take care of their business and the division is there for the taking…

by samiam2112 on Sep 11, 2011 7:16 PM PDT reply actions

Considering that the first Charger TD was given to them and otherwise a tied score, the Vikings seemed to control the first half.

The Chargers did not look impressive

by RaiderPsycho on Sep 12, 2011 2:18 PM PDT up reply actions

The Vikes generally did not look good either.

by RaiderPsycho on Sep 12, 2011 2:19 PM PDT up reply actions

Lots of injuries in the AFC west so far

Louis Castillo DE fractured tibia, Nate Kaeding K torn ACL, both out for the season, and Mike Tolbert RB has a leg injury.Hope there arent any injuries tommorow, just some broken donkey spirits.

by RyanTheRaider on Sep 11, 2011 7:42 PM PDT reply actions

A lot of injuries today

There’s gonna be a player scramble come tomorrow! Scifres look smooth as a replacement for Kaeding…

by samiam2112 on Sep 11, 2011 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions

"SD" Did A Good Job At Dealing With One "RB"...But Doubt They Can Deal With 2...

If we can get our passing game to be consistent as well as that run “SD” will be ours for the Taking…" looked finished…Matt has the bad rib and he couldn’t throw anything deep…

by PantyRaider on Sep 11, 2011 7:50 PM PDT reply actions

they wont be able too

And we will have more than 39 passing yards too…

by "The Assassin" 32 on Sep 11, 2011 8:00 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

I woke up this morning

checked the scores, saw the KC-Buffalo game and next thing I know my neighbours are knocking on my door to see if everyone’s OK cause they thought they heard someone in pain.

I had to explain i was laughing hysterically.

"In football, I root for the Oakland Raiders because they hire castoffs, outlaws, malcontents, and fuck -ups, they have lots of penalties, fights, and paybacks, and because Al Davis told the rest of the pig NFL owners to go get fucked. Someday, the Raiders will be strong again, and they will dip the ball in shit and shove it down the throats of the wholesome, white, heartland teams that pray together and don't deliver late hits." - George Carlin.

by Screwfish on Sep 11, 2011 8:24 PM PDT reply actions

That's awesome!!!!

by samiam2112 on Sep 11, 2011 8:39 PM PDT up reply actions

Matt Cassel looked lost out there today.

I wont completely blame him, the coaching staff enept playcalling, Not getting DMC involved ealry and often, recievers not getting open, turnovers..those are thing any team, no matter how good you are cannoot over come. Sure, Matt looked like total crud, but the reasonable man in me knows that, though he couldnt deliver a decent pass to save his life, maybe hes still hurt. That was a mess today for them, and i couldnt be happier.

I want to be the modern day version of Super Mario Brothers!!! Dont care for *shrooms*, but would love to *get large* and *spit fire*...unless im constantly told "thanks, but your girl is in another castle". That would rate a 8.9 on the ole *Suck-ometer*!!!

by Kobe Won Kenobi on Sep 11, 2011 8:25 PM PDT reply actions

I'm worried

that KC might be so bad now they’re in the running for Luck. I do not want that guy in our division.

by Screwfish on Sep 11, 2011 8:27 PM PDT up reply actions

The ole "Suck for Luck"

by Kobe Won Kenobi on Sep 11, 2011 8:29 PM PDT up reply actions

They are gonna have a lot of competition in the sucking department

Indy is gonna be awful…. There will be a frenzy of losses…

by samiam2112 on Sep 11, 2011 8:41 PM PDT up reply actions

Well Kobe

As a Chiefs fan, I unfortunately can’t run my mouth at all.
But I will win 40 bucks tonight if the Raiders win. Bodog sports put the Raiders as underdogs at
+ 150. So what hell. Silver and Black it is! I figured I would be trolling as usual over here today, but it looks like that won’t be happening for at least a year or two now. it’s $40….so for the first and last time in my 32 years………GOOOOOOOOO RAAAAIDERRRRRRSSSSSSSSSS

They are who we thought they were.

by Kblomfiee on Sep 12, 2011 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions

Wow, Romo just gave away a very winnable game..shame on you dude, shame on you!

by Kobe Won Kenobi on Sep 11, 2011 8:29 PM PDT reply actions

yeah

terrible decision.

by RyanTheRaider on Sep 11, 2011 8:33 PM PDT up reply actions

That pass straight to Revis was completely inexcusable.

Romo had a decent game until the 4th quarter when he gave it away.

by RaiderPsycho on Sep 12, 2011 2:23 PM PDT up reply actions

Collinsworth sounds dumb a lot of the time

Saying Ball took a gamble. Dude, the ball was already thrown when he made his break.

by duballers23 on Sep 11, 2011 8:33 PM PDT reply actions

His voice is annoying too

It’s just bad on top of Michaels

by duballers23 on Sep 11, 2011 8:33 PM PDT up reply actions

Ball watched Sanchez the whole time, it was a 5yd route, Sanchez never took his eyes of of his reciever. Was a easy play to make, and he didnt make it

by Kobe Won Kenobi on Sep 11, 2011 8:34 PM PDT reply actions

Exactly

Collinsworth was acting like he took a gamble and they could have gone deep. Dumb thing to say.

by duballers23 on Sep 11, 2011 8:38 PM PDT up reply actions

How many times did Rob loose a game late... fng prevent zone he is owed a few...

by samiam2112 on Sep 12, 2011 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions

WTF? really Garrett?

Thats what u came up with?

by Kobe Won Kenobi on Sep 11, 2011 8:40 PM PDT reply actions

There have been a lot of awful play calls by coaches week 1

by samiam2112 on Sep 11, 2011 8:59 PM PDT up reply actions

Theres going to be a changing of the guard this season...

Teams thats been on the bottom of the barrel ill gain confidence this season, and a few dark horse teams will be int he playoffs.

Detroit: They drafted so well these last few years and now its finally paying off.

Pittsburg: You have been on top for far too long.

Philly: Im not convinced with that win, Bradford should’ve/could’ve torn your back field apart. Was nothing Philly did.

S.D.: Yor ST will be the death of you this season, well that and Norvell.

K.C.: LMAO..Raie the banner..“Suck for LUck”

by Kobe Won Kenobi on Sep 11, 2011 8:47 PM PDT reply actions

If the Suck for Luck campaign works

That bastard Goodell could institute the damn ping pong ball fraud of the NBA.

by samiam2112 on Sep 11, 2011 8:57 PM PDT up reply actions

I love TP and all

But if we somehow have a chance at getting Luck we HAVE to get him.

Clippers own staples center!!!

by ClipperBEAST on Sep 11, 2011 8:59 PM PDT reply actions

Will take Kellen Moore over Luck all day

Dude is ICE!!!

"God will understand. And if he does not understand, then he is not God, and we need not worry." -Orlando Bloom, Kingdom of Heaven

by angelesoterica on Sep 12, 2011 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions

ummm Ive seen that berries knee is serious.

Tolbert was hurt also

SD gave up 70 yards rushing in the 1st half and stopped him in 2nd because Mcnabb sucks

by RAIDER_FAN15 on Sep 11, 2011 9:12 PM PDT reply actions

O.T. but do you guys miss the Andy Milonakis show?

That show was so funny!! Especially this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47RCrBcDopw&feature=related

Clippers own staples center!!!

by ClipperBEAST on Sep 11, 2011 9:16 PM PDT reply actions

it was a stupid show

but it was very funny lol

by RyanTheRaider on Sep 11, 2011 9:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Totally funny in "Waiting"

by samiam2112 on Sep 11, 2011 9:42 PM PDT up reply actions

I seriously think that Jamaal charles did something to the coaching staff to only get 8 carries. I know that they where down early and by a ton, but still, atleast get the ball to him in the air.

by Horatio R. on Sep 11, 2011 9:42 PM PDT reply actions

I really hope the Raiders don't look like the Chiefs did today.

"Bad is Back, thanks be to the Antichrist" - George Atkinson

by Ghost Raider on Sep 11, 2011 11:52 PM PDT reply actions

Very concerned that SD are going to be strong this year...

particularly that they have started winning from week 1. Equally I’m very surprised how poor KC were. I don’t think that it will be reflective of their season as a whole and also indicates that Buffallo are going to be stronger than we might have pressumed.

by animal_mutha on Sep 12, 2011 1:21 AM PDT reply actions

The chokers...

The sTds looked impressive facing a depleted Vikings team. A.P. getting stuffed in the back as usual, Donovan, couldn’t find anyone open, and when he did, how horrible where his passes! Minnesota’s corners and linebackers were awful. Aside from all that, crappy-ass Minnesota still had a good chance of winning this game.

So, did the sTds win this game or did the vikes blow this opportunity?

I voted on the latter.

Death is coming for everyone, and that makes living fun.

by bojackson34 on Sep 12, 2011 10:33 AM PDT reply actions

Donvo threw for 39 yards. Literally.

If Ponder was the QB we might know a little more. It’s hard to judge, but the norvettes played down to the vikes.
They’ll be lucky to break .500 this year.

"God will understand. And if he does not understand, then he is not God, and we need not worry." -Orlando Bloom, Kingdom of Heaven

by angelesoterica on Sep 12, 2011 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions

not impressed with chargers they had a hard time beating vikes vikes have a brand new qb mcnabb first game as a viking brand new coaches brand new play book brand new tearmanolgy and they lost there best defence of player oakland year this year it there 4 the taking. lets go raiders i pray 4 win and no injureis

by killdenver32 on Sep 12, 2011 12:11 PM PDT reply actions