Read options, spread attacks and hurry up offenses are becoming a headache for defensive coordinators in college and now the NFL, especially since the arrival of Chip Kelly in Philadelphia. However, the Chiefs are still proving that defense wins ball games in the NFL.
AUDIO Reid gets about as emotional as Reid gets (1:00)
The Chiefs forced five turnovers and sacked Michael Vick five times leading to a 26-16 win, improving Andy Reid’s record to 3-0 with the Chiefs, who reach that mark for the first time since 2010 and eighth time overall. In six of the previous seven, 3-0 starts, the Chiefs made the playoffs.
Damaris Johnson’s muffed punt return gave Kansas City the ball at the Eagles 8, leading to Ryan Succop’s 33-yard field goal for a quick 3-0 lead. Derrick Johnson then deflected Vick’s pass and Eric Berry picked it off, going 38 yards for a 10-0 lead.
Vick showed some Oregon offense, running for 61 yards and two plays later throwing a 22 yard touchdown pass on a quick drive. They failed on a two-point conversion and trailed the Chiefs 10-6.
The Eagles would never get closer than four points. Ryan Succop hit two more field goals in the 2nd quarter. Jamaal Charles scored on a three yard run early in the fourth to make it a 23-9 game. Charles finished with 92 yards on 20 carries.
Ahead 23-16 after LeSean McCoy scored on a 41 yard run, the Chiefs put together a 15 play, 8:15 drive to put the game out of reach with Succop’s last field goal of the night.
Alex Smith did a good job of managing the game. The Chiefs didn’t take a lot of long shots down field, throwing the ball just four times over 10 yards. Smith completed 21-31 for 258 yards on passes 10 yards or fewer downfield. One of those plays resulted in a 51 yard gain for Donnie Avery, who busted coverage right up the middle on a blitz. He had seven catches for 141 yards.