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The Kansas Chiefs’ offense was making plays all game.
It was a stark contrast from Week 5 when the Kansas City offense couldn’t reward its stellar defensive effort in a 19-9 loss at Indianapolis. In that game, Kansas City was 1-of-10 on third-down conversions.
Sunday at Houston, however, Kansas City was 9-of-16 on third down and made some plays when it needed to. Just not when it needed to the most.
After Kansas City took a 24-14 lead into the fourth quarter, the explosive Houston offense woke up. The Texans cut the Chiefs’ lead to 31-28 with 3:25 to go in the game. All the Chiefs needed was a first down or two to run out the clock.
After starting from their 33, the Chiefs found themselves in a third-and-2 situation from their 41. The Chiefs wanted quarterback Matt Cassel to hit rookie Tony Moeaki on a fairly deep route near their sideline. But Cassel was pressured some and couldn’t connect with Moeaki, forcing a punt.
The Texans went down and scored a touchdown with 28 seconds to go to steal the win, 35-31. Kansas City was much better Sunday on third down than the week before, but just not on the one that mattered most.
The Kansas Chiefs’ offense was making plays all game.
It was a stark contrast from Week 5 when the Kansas City offense couldn’t reward its stellar defensive effort in a 19-9 loss at Indianapolis. In that game, Kansas City was 1-of-10 on third-down conversions.
Sunday at Houston, however, Kansas City was 9-of-16 on third down and made some plays when it needed to. Just not when it needed to the most.
After Kansas City took a 24-14 lead into the fourth quarter, the explosive Houston offense woke up. The Texans cut the Chiefs’ lead to 31-28 with 3:25 to go in the game. All the Chiefs needed was a first down or two to run out the clock.
After starting from their 33, the Chiefs found themselves in a third-and-2 situation from their 41. The Chiefs wanted quarterback Matt Cassel to hit rookie Tony Moeaki on a fairly deep route near their sideline. But Cassel was pressured some and couldn’t connect with Moeaki, forcing a punt.
The Texans went down and scored a touchdown with 28 seconds to go to steal the win, 35-31. Kansas City was much better Sunday on third down than the week before, but just not on the one that mattered most.
Bill Williamson | email
NFL- ESPN AFC West Blogger
- Spent four seasons covering the Broncos for the Denver Post
- Previously covered Vikings, Packers, Seahawks
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Bill Williamson
Williamson joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the Denver Broncos for the Denver Post. He previously covered the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks.
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