Preseason video games may be enjoyable to look at. Generally we get a glimpse of what a crew will appear like within the common season. Generally we will attempt to decide the depth of a crew in comparison with its opponent.
However the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ 33-16 highway loss to the Seattle Seahawks wasn’t enjoyable to look at. Generally the Chiefs regarded like they had been going by means of the motions, letting the Seahawks run throughout them. A number of the highlights got here from guys like huge receiver Skyy Moore or cornerback Nazeeh Johnson, who additionally had severe struggles. Different highlights had been adopted by failures — like Bryan Cook dinner’s terrific fourth-down play that was wasted when the offense instantly gave up a security.
So how can we assess winners and losers from a sport like this one? We’ll give it a shot… however we’ll hope we by no means have to look at the sport once more.
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Tight finish Robert Tonyan: If there’s one veteran who has persistently proven up at coaching camp and on the sector, it’s this eighth-year veteran. It doesn’t appear to matter which quarterback is throwing the ball. All of them discover Tonyan in these open areas that Travis Kelce has exploited for years. In opposition to the Seahawks, Tonyan logged 5 catches for 41 yards and a landing. If there’s a contest to turn into the Chiefs’ third tight finish (after Kelce and Noah Grey), Tonyan couldn’t have executed way more to make his case.
Working again Isiah Pacheco: On this offseason, many anticipated to see an enormous improve within the Chiefs’ operating again group. However what if the improve was already there? Pacheco has been a standout within the preseason, displaying the explosiveness he appeared to lack in 2024. Many starters didn’t play on Friday evening — and Pacheco didn’t play a lot — however his lone contact was an electrical 22-yard catch-and-run. This offense wants massive performs from its operating backs, and there’s as soon as once more hope that they arrive from No. 10.
Working again Brashard Smith: No… he doesn’t appear like an every-down again — however we knew that already, proper? Smith confirmed us some constructive indicators on Friday — together with turning a loss right into a 10-yard achieve by spinning out of the backfield within the third quarter. He’s obtained the velocity to interrupt massive performs, together with the route-running capability to be a menace within the passing sport. If Kansas Metropolis may be artistic, he’ll have the ability to contribute.
Quarterback Gardner Minshew: Except he’s mopping up in an enormous win, all of us hope that the preseason is the one time we’ll see the backup quarterback play. However Minshew is enjoyable to look at — and he’s executed effectively within the preseason. On Friday, he gave one other regular, environment friendly efficiency, going 7-9 passing and transferring the ball together with his legs. His rollout landing throw to Tonyan confirmed how a backup quarterback with restricted alternatives can win the hearts and minds of Kansas Metropolis followers.
Linebacker Jeffrey Bassa: It looks like the thrill about this fifth-round decide from Oregon has been quietly rising — and on Friday evening, we noticed extra flashes of his potential. Late within the sport, the rookie exploded by means of the Seahawks’ line to make a sort out for loss. Whereas it was only one play, it occurred on an evening when there have been few prefer it. All through the offseason, Bassa has been displaying us who he’s.
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The run protection: From the opening drive, it was an unsightly efficiency from each degree of the protection. It’s tough to name out anybody participant right here, as a result of so many contributed. Jerry Tillery, Marlon Tuipulotu, Cam Jones, Mike Edwards, Jack Cochrane and others all performed a task. There have been missed tackles, defenders washed out by blockers, penalties and extra. It was the first motive the sport was so irritating to look at. 268 yards speeding with two touchdowns? Preseason or not… that was ugly.
Working again Elijah Mitchell: Possibly the Chiefs have already got him slotted on the roster. Possibly they already know he’s not making the crew. Both manner, they didn’t give the fourth-year veteran a lot alternative to succeed. 4 carries netted simply 9 yards — together with a security by which Mitchell was swarmed lengthy earlier than he reached the road of scrimmage. On that play, it felt like Mitchell by no means had an opportunity. We’ll see if he will get a shot within the common season — whether or not it’s in Kansas Metropolis or elsewhere.
Brief-yardage offense: Within the first quarter, we like to see head coach Andy Reid going for it on fourth down within the crimson zone. However we hate it when it’s a predictable run that goes nowhere. The play-calling wasn’t artistic and the blocking wasn’t there. Sure… we will’t anticipate a lot creativity within the preseason, however we will not less than hope for execution. When the protection lastly obtained a cease within the second quarter, the offense as soon as once more tried to run into the tooth of the Seahawks’ protection — and gave up a security. We’d chalk this as much as meaningless preseason play — however sadly, we’ve seen these sorts of short-yardage struggles earlier than.
Notice: Making use of the labels “winners” and “losers will not be supposed to be a judgment on the expertise or character of any of those gamers. It’s only a easy approach to grade their efficiency in a single sport. No disrespect needs to be inferred.
