SB Nation Kansas City - Chiefs Victory Over Cardinals May Be Costly With Injuries To Albert, Flowershttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48935/kc-fave.png2010-11-22T08:06:49-06:00http://kansascity.sbnation.com/rss/stream/15831822010-11-22T08:06:49-06:002010-11-22T08:06:49-06:00Kansas City Chiefs Victory Over Arizona Cardinals May Be Costly
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> beat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium but it may have come at a cost. Two important Chiefs players exited the game with injuries -- LT Brandon Albert and CB <span>Brandon Flowers</span>. We're not sure what's up with either of them but losing either -- for any stretch of time -- would be a big blow to the Chiefs.</p>
<p>Albert left with a hip injury and was replaced by OT <span>Barry Richardson</span>. Albert was seen walking around on the sidelines so his injury -- at least at first glance -- doesn't seem to serious. After the game, G <span>Brian Waters</span> told us he has "100 percent, complete confidence" in Richardson should he have to replace Albert.</p>
<p>Flowers left with a hamstring injury and we're not sure what's up with him either. He was not in the locker room after the game. Losing Flowers would be significant since he's arguably the top defensive player on the team. You can't completely replace someone like Flowers and, with the Chiefs average pass rush, cornerbacks are very important on this team.</p>
<p>The Chiefs will start practice on Wednesday at which point we'll find out a little more about these injuries. By Friday, the Chiefs will announce their status for the game.</p>
<p>Losing either of these players would be a blow to the Chiefs so we're hoping it's nothing too serious</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/kansas-city-chiefs/2010/11/22/1829519/kansas-city-chiefs-arizona-cardinals-injury-brandon-flowers-albertJoel Thorman2010-11-21T14:52:09-06:002010-11-21T14:52:09-06:00Kansas City Chiefs Vs. Arizona Cardinals: KC Cruising Over Cards
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> are cruising against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> in the fourth quarter. KC just kicked a field goal to make it 24-6 in favor of the Chiefs. The Chiefs have controlled this game almost from the start as Arizona took a 3-0 lead and KC put up 21 unanswered.</p>
<p>QB <span>Matt Cassel</span> has completed 14-of-23 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown and no turnovers. RB <span>Jamaal Charles</span> has 84 yards rushing while RB <span>Thomas Jones</span> has 71 yards rushing. <span>Dwayne Bowe</span> has a touchdown catch including 71 yards on five receptions.</p>
<p>The Chiefs offense has been looking good with the exception of a couple of stalled fourth quarter drives. They're in control of the game but can't quite put the Cardinals away.</p>
<p>It's halfway through the fourth quarter and all indications are this is KC's game to lose.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/kansas-city-chiefs/2010/11/21/1828194/kansas-city-chiefs-vs-arizona-cardinals-jamaal-charles-thomas-jonesJoel Thorman2010-11-21T13:03:21-06:002010-11-21T13:03:21-06:00Kansas City Chiefs Vs. Arizona Cardinals: Dwayne Bowe, Thomas Jones Make It 14-3, KC
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> have taken a 14-3 lead over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> in the second quarter at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday. The Chiefs have one passing TD and one rushing TD to start things off.</p>
<p>Chiefs QB <span>Matt Cassel</span> hit WR <span>Dwayne Bowe</span> on a crossing route in the second quarter and Bowe took the ball down to the one yard line. After two failed rushing attempts, Cassel dropped back and hit Bowe on a slant making it 7-3, Chiefs. It was the ninth time in the last six games those two had hooked up and Bowe's six consecutive games with a TD catch are a franchise record.</p>
<p>The Chiefs second TD included some wacky personnel. The Chiefs again got down to the one-yard line -- this time via a <span>Jamaal Charles</span> reception. The Chiefs brought in DE Shaun Smith and lined him up at fullback and also brought in LB <span>Mike Vrabel</span> and lined him up as a tight end. Cassel dropped back and tried to hit Vrabel on a fade but it wasn't happening and the ball slipped through his hands. On the next play, with Smith as his lead blocker, <span>Thomas Jones</span> hopped over the pile for the score.</p>
<p>The Chiefs lead 14-3 in the second quarter and the offense seems to be moving now.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/kansas-city-chiefs/2010/11/21/1827984/kansas-city-chiefs-vs-arizona-cardinals-dwayne-bowe-matt-casselJoel Thorman2010-11-21T11:24:16-06:002010-11-21T11:24:16-06:00Kansas City Chiefs Vs. Arizona Cardinals: Dexter McCluster, Tony Moeaki Out
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> have released their inactive players for Sunday's game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a>. There aren't many surprises on the inactive list but WR <span>Dexter McCluster</span> is the big name.</p>
<p><b>Inactives</b>: WR <a href="../../../nfl/players/109122/dexter-mccluster" class="sbn-auto-link">Dexter McCluster</a>, CB <a href="../../../nfl/players/78010/jackie-bates" class="sbn-auto-link">Jackie Bates</a>, FB <a href="../../../nfl/players/34466/mike-cox" class="sbn-auto-link">Mike Cox</a>, S <span>Jon McGraw</span>, LB <a href="../../../nfl/players/2701/charlie-anderson" class="sbn-auto-link">Charlie Anderson</a>, LB <a href="../../../nfl/players/109479/justin-cole" class="sbn-auto-link">Justin Cole</a>, TE Tony Moeaki and NT <a href="../../../nfl/players/34910/anthony-toribio" class="sbn-auto-link">Anthony Toribio</a>.</p>
<p>That means both guards -- <span>Ryan Lilja</span> and <span>Brian Waters</span> -- are playing. They were both listed as questionable. It also means S <span>Kendrick Lewis</span> is playing, which is important because McGraw is out. The Chiefs have already ruled out Moeaki, so his absence is no surprise.</p>
<p>The Chiefs will need to figure out a way to replace both McCluster and Moeaki. For a passing offense that's inconsistent, it's not good to have those two guys missing.</p>
<p>Here are the Cardinals inactives: QB John Skelton (3rd QB), CB Greg Toler, RB Jason Wright, RB Larod Stephens-Howling, LB Cyril Obiozor, LB Clark Haggans, LB Reggie Walker and C <span>Ben Claxton</span>.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/kansas-city-chiefs/2010/11/21/1827805/kansas-city-chiefs-vs-arizona-cardinals-dexter-mccluster-tony-moeakiJoel Thorman2010-11-21T08:33:11-06:002010-11-21T08:33:11-06:00Kansas City Chiefs Vs. Arizona Cardinals: KC Should Roll
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> have plenty of reasons to win on Sunday against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a>. The Chiefs hold the advantage in almost every major statistical category and they're at home. KC is 4-0 at Arrowhead Stadium this year and they've shown they're tough to beat there.</p>
<p>The Chiefs are looking to snap a two-game losing streak and they should be able to do that against Arizona. They're eight point favorites to do it and KC's stats are much, much better than Arizona's.</p>
<p><b>Offense</b>: 23rd (Pass: 30th, Rush: 29th)</p>
<p><b>Defense</b>: 32nd (Pass: 27th, Rush: 28th)</p>
<p>The Cardinals have lost four in a row so they're not doing many things right. The Chiefs have done a good job this year at capitalizing on the opponent's mistakes and making teams one-dimensional. They should be able to do both against Arizona this Sunday.</p>
<p>The Cardinals will make mistakes -- perhaps an interception or a fumble -- and the Chiefs will have to capitalize. They can't make silly mistakes to keep the Cardinals in it. Absent turnovers or penalties, the Chiefs are the better team. They'll also be able to shut down the run against the Cardinals which will make the Cardinals somewhat vulnerable.</p>
<p>The stats say the Cardinals should lose this game. Vegas says the same thing. And now I'm predicting the same. The Chiefs should win by two scores.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/kansas-city-chiefs/2010/11/21/1827557/kansas-city-chiefs-vs-arizona-cardinalsJoel Thorman2010-11-20T15:38:46-06:002010-11-20T15:38:46-06:00Kansas City Chiefs Vs. Arizona Cardinals: KC Needs To Replace Starting Safety, Tight End
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> will host the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs have issued their injury report for the game and it includes seven players -- a season high. Two of those players have already been ruled out.</p>
<p>S <span>Jon McGraw</span> will not play with knee and head injuries. The good news is that S <span>Kendrick Lewis</span> is expected to return to the lineup this week after both missed the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a> game. With Lewis in, McGraw's loss can be handled.</p>
<p>TE <span>Tony Moeaki</span> has also been ruled out and his loss is a bit of a bigger problem. Other than <span>Dwayne Bowe</span>, Moeaki is the most consistent receiver on the field so his loss will hurt. I don't think the Chiefs can completely replace his production with TE Leonard Pope but he'll help absorb some of the hit.</p>
<p>The Chiefs also have WR <span>Dexter McCluster</span> listed as questionable. He's missed the last three weeks. Both starting guards -- <span>Ryan Lilja</span> and <span>Brian Waters</span> -- are listed as questionable. Reserve G <span>Jon Asamoah</span> can fill in for either one should one have to sit.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/kansas-city-chiefs/2010/11/20/1826621/kansas-city-chiefs-vs-arizona-cardinals-injury-reportJoel Thorman2010-11-16T22:29:01-06:002010-11-16T22:29:01-06:00Arizona Cardinals Vs. Kansas City Chiefs: Stats Say KC Has Advantages
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<p>The <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Kansas City Chiefs</a> will host the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Cardinals</a> at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday. It's Week 11 in the NFL and the Chiefs stand tied with the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Raiders</a> (who have the tiebreaker) at the top of the AFC West with a 5-4 record. The Chiefs have lost two in a row but if stats mean anything then KC has plenty of advantages.</p>
<p><b>Offense</b>. The Chiefs are the 12th ranked offense coming into the game. Their running game is very good...except for the last two weeks where they've really struggled. The passing game has had its problems this season but <span>Matt Cassel</span> has been a good complement to the running game at times. The Chiefs are No. 1 in rushing attempts and rushing yards and have thrown the last amount of interceptions in the NFL. That tells you how KC wants to play the game. The Cardinals defense is 27th against the pass and 28th against the run. The stats say KC should move the ball well against the Cardinals. Of course, the stats also said the Chiefs should have ran the ball all over the <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Broncos</a> and we know what happened.</p>
<p><b>Defense</b>. The Chiefs enter the game as the 15th ranked defense in the NFL. They have been playing well over the course of the season, except for last week's debacle in Denver. The Chiefs have trouble with the pass at times but can generally shut down the run (again, Denver last week is an exception). The Cardinals are the 30th ranked passing offense and 29th ranked rushing offense. <span>Derek Anderson</span> completes 53 percent of his passes and throws more picks (8) than touchdowns (6).</p>
<p>Last week the stats were in favor of KC as well but Denver came out and pretty much dominated. That should tell you that stats don't always matter. But we knew going into last week's game that Denver had a potent offense. The Chiefs just couldn't shut it down. The Cardinals have lost four in a row and their quarterback situation is nowhere near Denver's. They've got big problems there and the Chiefs coaching staff can usually exploit a weakness.</p>
<p>The Chiefs have been in a funk recently so all bets are off if that continues. Statistically, this is a KC victory. Vegas is putting seven points on the game in favor of the Chiefs so they're thinking KC can get it done.</p>
<p>Kansas City is 4-0 at home this year so it's going to be hard to predict an upset particularly if they get a good crowd at the game that will make it difficult on the Cardinals offense.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/2010/11/16/2324523/arizona-cardinals-vs-kansas-city-chiefs-stats-say-kc-has-advantagesJoel Thorman