Lets start discussing the game..here is an article I found on covers.com
NFL Sat, Aug 21, 2004
Totals high while Chiefs adjust defense
Johnston Farrow
A new NFL season, the same old Kansas City Chiefs defense.
Gunther Cunningham took over as defensive coordinator this season and quickly found out what he'd gotten himself into when the Chiefs lost 34-24 to the Giants last week.
The team allowed 185 yards on the ground - 118 on 11 carries by backup running back Ron Dayne. Kansas City allowed TD runs of 29, 67 and 26 yards.
“I don’t have a magic wand,” Cunningham told the Kansas City Star after the loss. “I prepared them going into the game. I said, ‘Look, this is going to take some time and we’re going to have some good things happen and we’re going to have some bad things happen.”
K.C.’s horrible rush defense – which finished third-worst in the league in 2003 – will have it’s hands full when the St. Louis Rams come to town. The Rams had only 84 yards on the ground in their first preseason game against Chicago, but rookie Stephen Jackson put in a solid performance with 73 yards on 15 carries.
The St. Louis running game has a chance to bust out against the Chiefs, who surely will cover the Rams' air attack, leaving the defensive line with little help to cover movement out of the backfield.
“We’re using a completely different defense,” Cunningham said. “These things are small breakdowns that can be fixed."
Kansas City’s greatest skill lies in destroying the total set by oddsmakers. Along with the Giants’ help, they did just that in Week 1 of exhibition play. The total for Week 1 was 34 points, superceded by the 58 points the two teams scored in the game.
The total is set at 41 1/2 points this week (up two points from the open), a relatively high total compared to other preseason matchups. But not too high when you consider Kansas City will continue to tinker with its defense through the preaseason.
“It’s like if someone comes up and changes your golf swing,” Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil told reporters. "It takes you a while before you feel comfortable.”
Oddsmakers favor Kansas City by four points.
NFL Sat, Aug 21, 2004
Totals high while Chiefs adjust defense
Johnston Farrow
A new NFL season, the same old Kansas City Chiefs defense.
Gunther Cunningham took over as defensive coordinator this season and quickly found out what he'd gotten himself into when the Chiefs lost 34-24 to the Giants last week.
The team allowed 185 yards on the ground - 118 on 11 carries by backup running back Ron Dayne. Kansas City allowed TD runs of 29, 67 and 26 yards.
“I don’t have a magic wand,” Cunningham told the Kansas City Star after the loss. “I prepared them going into the game. I said, ‘Look, this is going to take some time and we’re going to have some good things happen and we’re going to have some bad things happen.”
K.C.’s horrible rush defense – which finished third-worst in the league in 2003 – will have it’s hands full when the St. Louis Rams come to town. The Rams had only 84 yards on the ground in their first preseason game against Chicago, but rookie Stephen Jackson put in a solid performance with 73 yards on 15 carries.
The St. Louis running game has a chance to bust out against the Chiefs, who surely will cover the Rams' air attack, leaving the defensive line with little help to cover movement out of the backfield.
“We’re using a completely different defense,” Cunningham said. “These things are small breakdowns that can be fixed."
Kansas City’s greatest skill lies in destroying the total set by oddsmakers. Along with the Giants’ help, they did just that in Week 1 of exhibition play. The total for Week 1 was 34 points, superceded by the 58 points the two teams scored in the game.
The total is set at 41 1/2 points this week (up two points from the open), a relatively high total compared to other preseason matchups. But not too high when you consider Kansas City will continue to tinker with its defense through the preaseason.
“It’s like if someone comes up and changes your golf swing,” Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil told reporters. "It takes you a while before you feel comfortable.”
Oddsmakers favor Kansas City by four points.
