Grading the NFL’s return – What we saw in the Chiefs’ win over the Texans
Let’s not undersell this: The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ 34-twenty victory Thursday night time about the Houston Texans is a person of the greatest achievements in NFL heritage.
Just as its very own executives (improbably) predicted in March, the league opened its 2020 period on time — even with some fans at Arrowhead Stadium — amid the worst world-wide pandemic in one hundred several years. The video game was competitive, at least for a half, and the excellent of perform was better than any one could have predicted subsequent the cancellation of the preseason and a modified teaching camp structure.
If I had been grading the NFL for its attempts to return, including the coronavirus protocols that secured all 32 groups from outbreaks this summer time, I’d have to give it an A+. But if I had been grading the relaxation of the evening, including some sticky social justice moments, I’d say …
Confess it. You went into your fantasy draft imagining you had been the only a person who was on Edwards-Helaire, a multitalented operating back whom the Chiefs manufactured their very first-round draft choose.
The only surprise Thursday night time was that the Chiefs used him primarily as a runner and focused him only two situations in the passing video game. Behind some solid blocking from new guard Kelechi Osemele, Edwards-Helaire ran for 138 yards and a touchdown. Here’s a statistic you in all probability failed to know existed: He attained one hundred speeding yards in his very first video game a lot quicker than any rookie in the past 13 seasons. Edwards-Helaire crossed that threshold in 34 minutes of video game time, according to ESPN Stats & Information analysis, the fastest in a debut due to the fact Matt Forte in 2008.
Punting at midfield: D
It was normally likely to be a tricky road for the Texans in this video game. But this is some cost-free assistance: When enjoying from Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid, you better not waste any belongings.
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Texans mentor Bill O’Brien opted to punt two times from close to midfield throughout the competitive part of this video game, at the time on fourth-and-four and at the time on fourth-and-9. I notice neither predicament is uncomplicated to convert, but the hazard normally takes on extra relevance when you notice what the Chiefs are very likely to do when you give the ball back to them. On the very first occasion, Kansas Metropolis released a 91-garden touchdown travel. On the 2nd, it ran just about five minutes off the clock in the third quarter. Go for it.
Dolphins upstage the pregame: A
NFL players’ thrust for social justice was not overshadowed by an actual video game. Two hrs ahead of kickoff, gamers and coaches from the Miami Dolphins produced a searing video clip that upbraided the NFL for launching a “publicity parade” devoid of, in their perspective, having enough motion. The Dolphins mentioned they would retreat to the locker space throughout pregame performances this period of “The Star Spangled Banner” and “Carry Every single Voice And Sing” fairly than get pulled into a debate about kneeling or standing. Much more than anything at all, the video clip manufactured obvious there remains a vast hole between the league and many gamers on this issue.
The NFL, frankly, served make the Dolphins’ point by asserting a branding marketing campaign named “It Takes All of Us.” The league mentioned the slogan “leverages the scale and power of the league to unite the state throughout a important time in our country.” Much more motion, fewer words and phrases.
Booing unity: F
Right before kickoff, the Chiefs and Texans stood together on the field for a second of unity. Extremely, an audible part of the 15,895 fans at Arrowhead Stadium felt compelled to boo.
Could they truly have objected to the most modest of social demonstrations? Had it just been also lengthy due to the fact they could boo an individual? Did they have a difficulty with opponents locking arms for a second? It was a depressing, dreadful appear.
Referee Clete Blakeman’s officiating crew: B+
Certainly, Blakeman’s crew acquired two touchdown calls erroneous in the very first half. Equally had been named back in replay. But total, the crew kept the video game moving with crisp choices and a bare minimum of flags.
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Recall, the very first time the referees collected together this calendar year was Thursday afternoon on the way to the stadium. The NFL canceled referees’ usual visits to teaching camp, as well as the preseason, and reconfigured crews based on geography to limit flights. They wore masks throughout the video game, and, if you looked carefully, you could see several applying new digital whistles. Given people instances, it could have been a great deal, a great deal worse.
COVID-19 protocols: B
Evidence of the pandemic was everywhere, from coaches and officials donning masks to the very first 7 rows of the stands tarped off to be certain social distancing. But some protocols may well have some leeway.
The NFL, for instance, prohibits opposing groups from getting postgame interactions in just six toes of a person one more. That has effectively finished the apply of swapping jerseys ahead of heading to the locker space. But it seems that short handshakes are allowed the NBC postgame feed showed numerous gamers shaking palms and hugging.
Andy Reid’s deal with defend: C
The NFL’s COVID-19 protocols have to have all coaches to have on a deal with masking. Most have worn conventional masks in teaching camps, as did O’Brien throughout Thursday night’s video game.
Chiefs mentor Andy Reid? He selected a plastic defend that was a meme even ahead of kickoff. The plastic acquired, shall we say, a minor fogged up with Reid’s respiration. You desired to reach as a result of the tv monitor and hand the inadequate male a pair of windshield wipers. We’ll see if Reid would make the necessary sartorial adjustments for 7 days 2.
