Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Kansas City Chiefs 2010 Regular Season Review

10-6 and AFC West Champions! Not even the most optimistic of Chiefs fans could have forecast this before the year began. While getting swept by the Raiders is the pits, and that performance in SD was disgraceful, we made the playoffs and they did not. How did we get there? We took care of business against the bad teams, notably the NFC West whom we swept while the Raiders and Chargers each went 2-2 against.

Team MVP: Matt Cassel. Coming back from an emergency appendectomy and leading this team to two huge wins that they had to have, Cassel proved that he is the emotional heart and soul of this team. He shut up his critics throwing 27TD's on just 7INT's, managing this offense well, and taking charge of it at times.

Offensive Player of the Year: Jamaal Charles. Charles was the 2nd leading rusher in the league, on around 100 fewer carries than some of the other top backs. He's an explosive player who came 5 yards away from breaking Jim Brown's record for highest YPC in a single season. Charles was kept "fresh" all season, and I pray to God that he is fully unleashed in the playoffs.

Defensive Player of the Year: Tamba Hali. Hali's 14.5 sacks were 2nd only to DeMarcus Ware, and despite facing double and triple teams all year, he was the Chiefs most effective pass rusher, constantly disrupting the passing game, and freeing up space for other guys like DJ and Wallace Gilberry to make plays.

Rookie of the Year: As much as I like what Tony Moeaki has brought to the passing game as a much-needed pass-catching tight end, how can this not go to Eric Berry? Opposing tight ends who shredded the Chiefs last year were shut down time and time again by EB who was a monster in run support, finishing 2nd on the team in tackles. Finally, the big plays that were a trademark of the 2009 Chiefs were minimized in large part to this man. Ironic that the Chiefs face Ed Reed in the playoffs, because that is Berry's future upside. Hope he gets there.

TOP 5 Moments

#5- Matt Cassel returns from injury just 10 days after emergency surgery and leads the Chiefs to a must-win against the Rams.

#4- The DEX Factor introduces himself to the nation with a 94 yard punt return on Monday Night Football to extend the Chiefs lead to 21-7 going into halftime against the Chargers

#3- HOLY MOEAKI makes a sensational one-handed grab as the Chiefs roll the Niners.

#2- 21-14!!! The Chiefs give the moderator an unbelievable birthday present holding off the Chargers and Phyllis Rivers with a late goal-line stand. They seize 1st control of the AFC West and do not surrender it for the rest of the season!

#1- Christmas comes one day late as the Chiefs roll against the Titans and Santa Claus in the form of Carson Palmer and Jerome Simpson eliminate the Chargers.

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