Week seven saw the New Orleans Saints visiting Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Kansas City Chiefs. On a day when a surprising player was the star on the defense and Alex Smith was his usual efficient self, the Chiefs pulled out a much-needed 27-21 victory to bring their overall record to 4-2. These are the Kansas City Chiefs Week Seven Takeaways.
Kansas City Chiefs Week Seven Takeaways
Daniel Sorensen Belongs on the Field
Daniel Sorensen is a third-year free safety who was an undrafted rookie following the 2014 draft. Sorensen has never started a game, but has been a spot player for the Chiefs a lot over the last two seasons. Today was his coming out party. Early in the game, Sorensen intercepted a deflected pass and returned it 48 yards for a touchdown. It was the first touchdown of Sorensen’s career. A couple of series later, Sorensen had a sack on All-Pro quarterback Drew Brees and followed that up with a drive-killing open field tackle on third down. Sorensen became the first player in NFL history to record an interception return for a touchdown and a full sack in the same game per the broadcast today. Sorensen saw more time today with the injury to Phillip Gaines, whose injury required safety Ron Parker to move down and play press coverage on the wide receivers more often. Sorensen played a fantastic game today and deserves more time on the field if he can continue playing this way.
The Secondary is Talented, But Young
What is one thing fans barely heard today? That would be the name Marcus Peters. Drew Brees and company seemed to try and stay away from the second-year cornerback throughout most of the day. After a brief review, there appears to have been only one true attempt towards Peters’ assigned coverage, and that was a deep in route to Brandin Cooks late in the fourth quarter. The only time announcers even said Peters’ name was when he picked up a fumble that was forced by Ron Parker and returned it 21 yards. It was clear today that Brees and company intended to try and take advantage of the other young players in the secondary.
Rookie D.J. White got the start across from Peters with second-year pro Steve Nelson manning the slot position, and both were tested early and often. The Saints took advantage of the youngsters throughout the day and particularly on the opening drive. At the end of the game, Brees ended up with his 10300-yardyard passing game, becoming the first player in NFL history to reach 100 games of at least 300 yards. This was also the first 300-yard passing game allowed by the Chiefs defense since week four of last season. The Saints were averaging 33 points per game entering today and were held to just 21 points. The young players took their lumps against one of the best quarterbacks to play the game, but held their own in the end.
This is a Good Team but Can Be Better
There is a lot to like about this Chiefs team. The defense has been very good at times and the offense has mostly been efficient and sufficient. The team is 4-2, but the team can be better. Jamaal Charles has played sparingly this season and is being eased back into the lineup. Charles had just one carry today that resulted in no yards. When he returns to form, he will be another weapon in an already-loaded offense. Alex Smith, while consistently being an efficient and effective player, still leaves plays on the board. On one play in particular today, Smith missed a streaking and wide open Jeremy Maclin that would have resulted in a touchdown. Hopefully Smith starts recognizing these opportunities and takes more shots down the field.
On defense, the team has missed its best player in Justin Houston the entire season. The pass rush has been one of the biggest weaknesses this year and it was apparent at certain points today. Houston’s imminent return will make this defense and team even better.
This Saints team was a hot team coming in, winning their last two games and averaging 36 points per game over their last three games. The Chiefs were clearly the better team today and won a game they should have, but the win was still an impressive one.
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