Kansas City Chiefs
Vs.
Dallas Cowboys
http://l.yimg.com/j/assets/i/us/sp/v.../70x70/dal.png
Sunday, September 15, Noon CDT
at
Arrowhead Stadium
Kansas City, Missouri
http://cache.marriott.com/propertyim...ur39.jpg?Log=1
Television coverage:
Printable View
Kansas City Chiefs
Vs.
Dallas Cowboys
http://l.yimg.com/j/assets/i/us/sp/v.../70x70/dal.png
Sunday, September 15, Noon CDT
at
Arrowhead Stadium
Kansas City, Missouri
http://cache.marriott.com/propertyim...ur39.jpg?Log=1
Television coverage:
Weather forecast: http://a.espncdn.com/i/weather/mobile/84.png 82 degrees, 30% chance of rain
Line: Chiefs -3, Over/Under: 46.5
Notable Quotables:
Chiefs:
"I'm not into predictions. I know there are questions that are asked
a lot but I'm just into going out and doing our business and
making sure that we play good, solid football." -- Chiefs head
coach Andy Reid.
Cowboys:
"This is going to be a very difficult defense to go against in the
environment that we're going to be in. I think this might be our, of
our opening five, six games, this could be the toughest with the
environment and the problems what they do defensively and their
scheme. This will be a very difficult game to go in and execute at
a high level, we're trying to do things to make sure we give
ourselves the best chance to be able to do that." -- Quarterback
Tony Romo on the Chiefs.
ESPN Game Preview:
With a season-opening victory, Andy Reid has solidified the optimism that surrounded his hire as coach of the Kansas City Chiefs earlier this year.
Now they'll try to build on it against a team Reid knows well from his days in the NFC East.
Reid makes his home debut in Kansas City on Sunday as the Chiefs look to match their win total from last season against a Dallas Cowboys team that boasts an opportunistic defense and a pair of banged-up stars.
Kansas City's 28-2 road rout of lowly Jacksonville last Sunday was the franchise's most-lopsided season-opening victory since it beat Denver 59-7 in 1963, and quickly helped a hungry fan base forget about last season's 2-14 debacle.
"There's a lot of emphasis put on the first game within the league," Reid said. "I keep in perspective that it's one out of 16 games and hopefully more that you have an opportunity to play, so I understand that.
"On the other hand, I'll tell you that you work your tail off to win every game, and that's what you do. So every victory you get, you're going to cherish and enjoy it."
Alex Smith was 21 of 34 for 173 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in his Kansas City debut, and Jamaal Charles ran for 77 yards and a TD before leaving with a quad injury. Justin Houston recorded three of the team's six sacks and Tamba Hali returned an interception for a touchdown as the Chiefs scored more points than in any game last season.
"There are some things we need to work on as a team, but getting this win raises the morale for us," receiver Junior Hemingway said. "It'll help tremendously going into next week."
Reid believes looking forward is all that matters.
"It was neat to see the offense and the defense and the coaches, they were very excited," Reid said. "We also know that we enjoyed it and now we're moving on."
One immediate concern is the uncertain status of Charles, who rushed for a career-high 1,509 yards while playing all 16 games in 2012.
"He does have range of motion," Reid said. "We'll just see how he does over this week."
Including the playoffs, Reid went 17-12 against the Cowboys during his 14 seasons coaching the Eagles. Following Sunday's game, the Chiefs have a quick turnaround before Reid's homecoming in Philadelphia on Thursday night.
Kansas City certainly won't be looking ahead after Dallas forced six turnovers while holding on for a 36-31 win over the New York Giants in Week 1.
Guided by 73-year-old defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin and line coach Rod Marinelli, Dallas intercepted Eli Manning three times -- taking one back for a TD -- and returned one of David Wilson's two fumbles for a score. The Cowboys also recovered a live ball that glanced off a Giant on a punt.
Dallas forced only 16 turnovers while going 8-8 last season.
"I think six was a lot, but we've been thinking about it," linebacker Sean Lee said. "We've been working at it non-stop."
Dallas, though, yielded 478 total yards -- all but 50 in the air -- and allowed the Giants to hang around despite all their mistakes.
"We have a lot of room to improve defensively," Lee added. "We gave up a lot of yards. We have to improve that."
Offensively, DeMarco Murray had 125 total yards and Jason Witten made eight catches for 70 with two TDs to become the third tight end in NFL history with 9,000 yards receiving.
Tony Romo was 36 of 49 for 263 yards with those two TDs and an interception. He also avoided a serious injury despite taking a shot to the ribs.
Receiver Dez Bryant was targeted eight times but caught just four passes for 22 yards while dealing with a mild foot sprain that is unlikely to keep him out of this contest.
Dallas has won two straight against the Chiefs, most recently 26-20 at Kansas City in 2009.
Romo was 20 of 34 for 351 yards with two TDs in that contest. He completed 10 and both scores to Miles Austin, who posted a career-high 250 receiving yards.
Chiefs Stats Leaders:
Offense:
Passing:
Alex Smith
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21-34 for 173 yds, 2 tds, 0 ints, QBR---94.4
Receiving:
Anthony Sherman
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4 rec, 44 yds
Rushing:
Jamaal Charles
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16 carries for 77 yds, 1 td
Defense:
Tackles:
Derrick Johnson
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7 tackles (7 solo)
and Eric Berry
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7 tackles (6 solo) 0.5 sacks
Sacks:
Justin Houston
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3 Sacks
Interceptions
Tamba Hali
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1 int, 1 td
and
Brandon Flowers
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1 int
Cowboys Stats Leaders:
Offense:
Passing:
Tony Romo
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36-49 for 263 yds, 2 tds, 1 int, QBR---90.8
Recieving:
Miles Ausin
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10 catches for 72 yds
Rushing:
DeMarco Murray
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20 carries for 86 yds
Defense:
Tackles:
Bruce Carter
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9 tackles (6 solo), 1 sack
Sacks:
Bruce Carter, Jason Hatcher and George Selvie
tied with 1 sack each
Interceptions:
Brandon Carr
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1 Int, 1 td
and Will Allen
1 int
Injury Reports
Dallas:
Probable:
Dez Bryant (WR)-Foot
Morris Claiborne (CB)-Shoulder
Lance Dunbar (RB)-Foot
Danny McCray (S)-Hamstring
Tony Romo (QB)-Ribs
Questionable:
Anthony Spencer (DE)-Knee
Out:
Ernie Sims (LB)-Groin
Chiefs:
Probable:
Husain Abdullah (S)-Foot
Jon Asamoah (G)-Calf
Jamaal Charles (RB)-Quadricep
Nico Johnson (LB)-Ankle
Dezman Moses (LB)-Toe
Donald Stephenson (T)-Shoulder
Questionable:
Travis Kelce (TE)-Knee
Out:
Dunta Robinson (CB)-Not Injury Related
GO CHIEFS!!!
You da man Roy! :smile
Chiefs-Cowboys Scouting Report from the Kansas City Star
When the Chiefs run
EDGE >> COWBOYS
The Chiefs moved the ball fairly well on the ground last week against the Jaguars, but the Cowboys’ front seven is coming off a strong effort against the Giants, whom they held to 50 total yards in 14 rushes Sunday. New York did that against defensive end Anthony Spencer, who was stout against the run last season. But in defensive tackle Jason Spencer and linebackers Sean Lee and Bruce Carter, the Cowboys have enough up front to make life difficult for the Chiefs.
When the Chiefs pass
EDGE >> CHIEFS
The Chiefs obviously need to keep an eye on star defensive end DeMarcus Ware, who teams up with tackle Jason Hatcher and end George Selvie to form an effective pass rush. The Cowboys racked up six turnovers last week, but if the Chiefs can contain those guys and take care of he ball, there are plays to be made. The Giants racked up 450 passing yards against the Cowboys, a total that includes seven passing plays of 20 yards or more. The Chiefs didn’t stretch the field like that last week, but expect coach Andy Reid to pull out all of the stops in the passing game.
When the Cowboys run
EDGE >> CHIEFS
DeMarco Murray is a solid back, but the Cowboys didn’t get a ton of push up front last week against the Giants. Veteran Brian Waters will give a boost to Dallas’ guards, but the Chiefs have the makings of a solid run-stuffing defense with nose tackle Dontari Poe, defensive end Mike DeVito and linebacker Derrick Johnson. The Chiefs gobbled up Jacksonville’s running game last week and can prove they are for real by doing the same against the Cowboys.
When the Cowboys pass
EDGE >> COWBOYS
Jacksonville had a devil of a time stopping the Chiefs’ pass rush, led by outside linebacker Justin Houston, who had three sacks. Poe and outside linebacker Tamba Hali were also disruptive, which could be a problem for quarterback Tony Romo, who is dealing with injured ribs. Even still, Romo directs a potent attack and has the weapons in the passing game with tight end Jason Witten and receivers Dez Bryant and Miles Austin to exploit weaknesses. The Chiefs’ defense may be a lot better, but Romo still threw for 4,900 yards last year.
Special teams
EDGE >> COWBOYS
The Chiefs have the edge at punter, where Dustin Colquitt reigns as one of the league’s best. But Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey is a little more consistent than his Chiefs counterpart, Ryan Succop, while Cowboys receiver Dwayne Harris was chosen NFC special-teams player of the week for his work on coverage units and returning punts.
Coaching
EDGE >> CHIEFS
Andy Reid is a proven winner with multiple playoff berths and a Super Bowl appearance. He’s also 17-12 for his career against Dallas, whose coach — Jason Garrett — may be on the hot seat. Garrett may need to take the Cowboys on a deep playoff run to save his job.
X-factor
EDGE >> CHIEFS
It’s the home opener in Kansas City, and after the Chiefs’ big victory in week one, excitement is high. The fans are back after the soul-crushing Pioli era, which means Arrowhead is going to be rocking. The fans can make the game very difficult for the Cowboys, particularly if the Chiefs jump out to an early lead.
Bottom line
Dallas is a good team, one that will give the Chiefs a real test after they dominated Jacksonville. But the Chiefs will be on a mission to prove they’re for real, and that — not to mention a potentially old-school crowd at Arrowhead — should give the home team the boost they need to pull out the win.
Prediction: Chiefs 28, Cowboys 24.
I think "Romeo" is gonna need ear plugs today :biggrin:
Here's to hoping the Chiefs go out there today and kick the Cowboys a$$es all over the field -- especially after seeing Cowboys fans having the audacity to go to Chiefs fans sites and talking the trash that they have been all week long. I never harbored any ill-will towards Dallas -- until now.
Interesting how I can have a mutual respect with Seahawks, Niners, Packers, and Redskins fans, but it's quite apparent that Cowboys fans are along the same vein as Donkeys fans -- full of arrogance.
Get out there, Chiefs and get the first home game win of the Dorsey/Reid era.
First home opener I have missed since 2003. Booooo! But listening to my daughter and her friends after their slumber party is pretty cool, its my daughters sixth birthday today. I am there in spirit. GO CHIEFS!!!
GO CHIEFS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In 09 the Chiefs had the boys down big and let one go. Lets get revenge for that
Arrowhead is a weapon when motivated. Two years ago was there and watched Arrowhead's crowd noise creep into Donovan McNabb's helmet, and he never came back from it, either. Sutton telling Arrowhead to make things loud...It's like asking a Grizzly Bear in a cardboard cage if he wants to go out and play. GO CHIEFS.
Romo will wear a flack jacket so protection is crucial
Here we go!
Red on red!
All red jerseys nice
And here we go! Go chiefs!!!
I hope this time out isn't a drive killer.
good looking drive so far this is the area of the field where the offense stalled all of last week lets get in for 6
some intresting play calls so far
Bad throw by Alex should have been picked VERY lucky
Fisher with a rookie mistake
looked good up until they went for the run attempt when the box was stacked at the 30
Nice scramble, Alex.
GREAT job getting the 1st down by Smith
He's down
that was a CRAZY leap from smith... a little scary actually.
Touchdown Kansas City way to go Alex Smith you build us out
He was down
Touch down kansas city!!!!!!!!
wow - makin it work with his legs! this is just all kinds of awesome for a first drive!
Nice scramble, Alex again and great work getting the Chiefs on the board on the opening series. Alex looks determined to beat the Dallas defense any way he can.
TOUCHDOWN KANSAS CITY
Alex Smith was the offense that drive. GREAT job
Touchdown Kansas City!!!!!!
Touchdown KC!!!
Smith had 80 yards in that drive WOW
Hey I already said touchdown Kansas City guys