Monday, December 10, 2018

Taking Care of Business and Working Overtime





It was 4th and 22.

A little over a minute to go in the 10 minute overtime period.

Ravens’ replacement quarterback, Robert Griffin, III (RG3), made a last desperate attempt to convert the 4th and a mile. He had no choice but to hurl the ball down field. He dropped back, threw the ball into the heavens. It had distance. 

But in the last possible second, Chiefs’ corner back, Kendall Fuller batted the ball away, ending the game and sealing the Chiefs’ 11th win of the season and their place in the playoffs.

Without a doubt, this was the hardest fought home game the Chiefs’ have had all season. It took quite a few “did you see that?” passes from Chiefs’ superstar, Patrick Mahomes, several unbreakable stops from our defense and almost an entire overtime period to snatch the victory.

The Ravens boasted one of the stoutest defenses in the league. And it was clear from their second offensive drive that their plan was to control the ball, slashing the Chiefs’ defense with running plays and keeping Mahomes and his offense on the sidelines. 

But once Mahomes and his offense took the field, the Ravens’ plans fizzled.

The Magic Duo of Mahomes and Chiefs’ tight end, Travis Kelce – akin to Brady and Gronkowski - connected 7 times for 77 yards and a touchdown catch. Mahomes and Tyreek “The Cheetah” Hill also teamed up for a total of 8 times for 139 yards, one of those passes near the end of regulation time.

The young QB added to this week’s highlight reels with his “Mahomes Magic Moment” passes - one being with just over a minute left before the half. The Chiefs were looking to take a score into the break. Mahomes rolled out to his left, saw a pair of freight trains in Ravens’ jerseys barreling down on him. He retreated back to the safety of the pocket and fired the ball down field. The “magic moment” pass landed in the hands of Demarcus Robinson

What’s magic about that? Mahomes wasn’t even looking and had just made a "No Look Pass".

On that same drive, Mahomes dropped back in the pocket, spotted no open targets down field, moved forward a step or two in the pocket, scampered to his left and side armed the ball to Spencer Ware, who was trotting up the sidelines. 

Mahomes “magic” patented style of play are strongly emphasized in these plays. He finished the day, 35-57 for 377 yards and a pair of scores, bringing his touchdown season total to 43.

Let’s not leave out the Chiefs’ defense, who held up their end, forming the proverbial brick wall and holding the Ravens to several 3 and outs. Ravens' rookie QB and 2016 Heisman winner, Lamar Jackson was sacked several times by outside linebacker, Justin Houston and defensive lineman Chris Jones. This being Jones’ 9th consecutive game logging at least 1 sack. Eventually Jackson was sacked one too many times by Houston and left the game with an injury being replaced by RG3.

The game was tied and the ball was back in Ravens’ hands with time to spare. Jackson dropped back to pass and Houston came storming in and “tomahawk chopped” the ball out of Jackson’s grasp and recovering it for the Chiefs. Unfortunately, Harrison Butker missed the 42 yard field goal that would have put the Chiefs 3 points ahead and given the Chiefs a win. Instead, the game was forced to go into a ten minute overtime.

The Chiefs’ offense converted several 4th downs but were ultimately held out of the end zone. Butker attempted a 35 yard field goal and this one sailed through the uprights, giving the Chiefs’ the lead. They still needed a strong defensive stop to seal the deal. Through a mixture of stops and sacks, with over a minute to go in overtime, the Chiefs’ defeated the Ravens and their spot in the playoffs clinched.

Sunday was a rough game of old school football and left several players – including the Cheetah, Tyreek Hill – with injuries that Chiefs Kingdom hopes and prays are not serious because in just three days we host division rivals, the LA Chargers. The Chargers are on fire being only one game behind the Chiefs. This BQB predicts that the Chiefs will douse that fire.

Join me next week, in my man cave, with my father as I guide you through every impossible play of what is sure to be a slug fest.


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