Do you believe in the Kansas City Chiefs yet?
The team that went 2-14 in 2012 is now 3-0 in 2013 after an impressive 26-16 win over the Eagles in Andy Reid's Philadelphia homecoming.
This was a win earned in large part by the Chiefs' real-deal defense, which forced four of the Eagles' five turnovers on the night. Outside linebacker Justin Houston had a game J.J. Watt would be jealous of, finishing with 3.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and three passes defensed. Houston leads the NFL with 6.5 sacks -- this is one the "Top 100" list got right.
The defense played hero in shutting downChip Kelly's much-vaunted attack, but the Chiefs' offense played its part.
After a 41-yard LeSean McCoytouchdown run cut Kansas City's lead to seven with 11:36 to play, Alex Smith took the field and led the offense on a 15-play, 75-yard drive that burned more than eight minutes off the clock and ended with a much-needed field goal. Donnie Avery's 15-yard reception on third-and-10 from the Chiefs' 5 (on a big-time throw from Smith) ignited the march and stomped Philly's surging momentum.
Make no mistake: The Chiefs weren't dynamic on offense. Smith often looked tentative and too content to flee the pocket in the name of a 3-yard run. Meanwhile, the Dwayne Bowe search party has been downgraded to a recovery effort. Adjust your fantasy lineups accordingly.
But who can argue with results? A byproduct of the Chiefs' conservative offense is zero turnovers through three games. With a defense like this, the offense doesn't have to be great.
It's a model for victory that recalls the early days of Jim Harbaugh's tenure in San Francisco. Does anybody remember who was the Niners' quarterback back then?
The "Around The League Podcast" is now available on iTunes! Click here to listen and subscribe.
