Donkey Week: Part II

A beautiful fall day in late October.

Birds were singing.

The wind rustled through the leaves.

And a sold out Arrowhead crowd screamed and roared as Chris Jones mowed down Broncos QB Case Keenum in an amazing sack, forcing the Broncos to punt.

You have heard me say several times that the Chiefs’ defense is becoming a red brick wall. Yesterday was no different. Chris Jones’ sack being just one of several plays that helped solidify a 30-23 victory for the Kansas City Chiefs.

There are several plays – and players - that deserve a highlight.

Outside linebacker, Tanoh Kpassagnon.

The score was 7-3 Broncos.

The Donkeys drove into Chiefs’ territory and well in range for a field goal, but it was 3^rd and 2 from the Chiefs 31. The ball was snapped and wide receiver, Emmanuel Sanders took the hand off but before he could turn his body and start running, Kpassagnon lit him up for a loss of six yards, forcing the Donkeys to try for a 55 yard field goal, which their kicker promptly missed.

The defense was a force to be reckoned with, turning Keenum and the Donkeys into all day suckers. Keenum was flattened by Chris “Stone Cold” Jones, Breeland Speaks and Dee Ford (who also had a forced fumble).

Wide receiver, Sammy Watkins.

In the second quarter, Mahomes hit Watkins for a 24 yard completion. 5 plays later, Watkins beat Broncos linebacker Todd Davis for a 13 yard touchdown reception. On the first drive of the third quarter, Watkins snagged another 24 yard completion, then scampered across the field for another Mahomes dart and ran into the end zone from 10 yards out. Watkins finished the game with 8 receptions for 107 yards and two touchdowns.

Kareem Hunt is beginning to make a habit out of hurdling defenders, this time flying over safety Will Parks before dragging another defender into the end zone. This hurdle and drag would go for 27 yards and a Chiefs TD. But by far the best Kareem Hunt highlight thus far was taking a shovel pass from Mahomes on 4^th and 1, from the Broncos 23 yard line and sprinting his way into the end zone. The Donkeys attempted to rally late in the game with an onside kick but it was recovered by Anthony “The Sausage” Sherman, effectively sealing the Broncos' demise and the Chiefs' victory over them – for the 7^th straight time.

Don’t worry. The Blind Quarterback hasn’t forgotten about record-breaking QB Patrick Mahomes. This time, Mahomes threw 4 touchdown passes, bringing his record to 25 touchdown passes in the first 8 games of a season. He joins only two other quarterbacks who’ve done the same: Tom Brady and Payton Manning. He also logged his seventh game in a row with 300 yards or more passing with 24-34 completions going for 303 yards.

What record will he break next week when the Chiefs travel to Cleveland to take on the Browns in what hopes to be a Big 12 style showdown between former Texas Tech Red Raider, Patrick Mahomes and former Oklahoma Sooner, Baker Mayfield.

Last time these two QBs faced off, they broke several NCAA records for offense. It was a constant shooting match that mercifully ended in a score of Oklahoma-66, Texas Tech-59. And it just so happens, that through a scheduling coincidence, the Oklahoma Sooners will be in Lubbock, Texas to face the Texas Tech Red Raiders, this Saturday – 24 hours before Mahomes and Mayfield will meet again.

So join me this Sunday, as the old foes meet again in Cleveland.