Week 1 Game Recap: New York Jets 7, Kansas City Chiefs 27

What you need to know

New York Jets

In what was supposed to be the first step towards a potential Super Bowl run, the Jets came into Kansas City and looked horrible in all phases of the game.

QB Chad Pennington had a most forgettable day. He was intercepted once, and fumbled a whopping six times (though he lost just one). What’s more, he couldn’t get the team into the end zone all game long. Jay Fiedler threw the touchdown pass at the end of the game

RB Curtis Martin had very little room to maneuver, gaining just 57 yards on 20 carries. His longest run of the game went for just 11 yards. He wasn’t particularly active in the passing game, either, with three receptions for 20 yards.

Newcomer WR Laveranues Coles had an awful game. His stat line doesn’t look terrible, with 66 yards on six receptions, but it was what he didn’t do that really stood out. He dropped two touchdowns and outside of those chances, didn’t really pose much of a threat to the Chiefs’ defense.

TE Chris Baker made a huge splash in his start. Baker was the lone bright spot for the Jets, snagging a game high seven passes for 124 yards and a score. He didn’t merely accumulate all of his stats during garbage time, either; he was quite productive throughout the entire game.

The Jets’ run defense was carved up all game long by Kansas City. It’s a hot topic of debate today as to what was the bigger factor – is the Jets defense overrated, or are the Chiefs just that good offensively? We think it’s some of both.

Kansas City Chiefs

The big question on everyone’s mind was how the Chiefs would divvy up the rushing touches between Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson. Well, there’s good news and bad news. The bad news is, there doesn’t appear to be a set pattern as to who will receive the carries at any given time. The good news is, both players may well be outstanding fantasy players this season anyway.

RB Priest Holmes took his second carry of the game and scampered 35 yards up the left sideline. He later added a three yard run, and generally looked very solid all game long.

RB Larry Johnson looked downright incredible. While Holmes had a very solid game, Johnson ran all over the Jets with no regard for who was in his way. Johnson’s first touch of the game was a 35 yard touchdown burst up the gut.

There doesn’t appear to be a set pattern with who will receive the carries and at what point they will receive them. As stated above, Johnson got a carry on the game’s opening drive while Holmes was still in during essentially garbage time in the fourth quarter. While there doesn’t appear to be a set pattern of use, it is clear that both players are definitely fantasy options. As our Mark Wimer has noted on many an occasion this preseason, owners lucky enough to have both Holmes and Johnson on their fantasy team could conceivably start both and reap the rewards. After one week at least, that doesn’t sound like a terrible plan (who wouldn’t sign up for 211 yards and three touchdowns from their starting backs?).

QB Trent Green entered the game with a lot of question marks surrounding him, after undergoing surgery to place a stent in his left leg a little over a week ago. While Green didn’t post fantastic stats, he generally looked comfortable in the pocket and the leg did not appear to bother him at all.

The Chiefs’ defense really came to play. Though they suffered several injuries to key members of the defense, the players who remained seemed to have an answer for everything the Jets threw at them. Of course, the Kansas City unit was aided by sloppy play on the part of New York, with miscues on the quarterback center exchange, a bad plant on a field goal attempt, and numerous dropped passes. But still, results are results. The Chiefs had a shutout until the waning moments of the game, when Chris Baker managed to find the end zone in garbage time.

Despite the good feelings of a big win, enthusiasm was tempered a bit as the Chiefs were banged-up during the game. LT Willie Roaf left with game with a hamstring injury, and isn’t expected to be available next week. DT Ryan Sims was carted off the field with a foot injury. CB Patrick Surtain suffered a concussion after being violently tackled to the ground during his interception return. The status of all players will be updated throughout the week.

What you ought to know

QB Chad Pennington, Pass: 21 - 34 - 264 - 0 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 2 - 0 - 0

Pennington had a nightmare game. When he wasn’t fumbling the ball (he fumbled six times in all), he was throwing slightly erratic passes to his receivers. Pennington’s stat line could have been much better had it not been for Laveranues Coles dropping a sure third quarter touchdown. Additionally, one of the fumbles charged to Pennington actually wasn’t his fault, as center Kevin Mawae snapped the ball over the QB’s head when he had his head turned. Still, the other five fumbles were certainly all Pennington’s fault. It actually got to the point where you could expect Pennington to fumble the football anytime a Chief defender got within five yards of him. Pennington’s lone interception in the game was also a terrible read, as Patrick Surtain picked him off. In the reunion of sorts between Pennington and Laveranues Coles, the two didn’t really get on the same page very often. Coles was rarely heard from, and Pennington didn’t really seem to focus on looking his way all that often. One other thing to note: Pennington attempted only a handful of long passes all game, and none of them were even close to completion. Despite the offensive coordinator change from Paul Hackett to Mike Heimerdinger, the Jets offense very closely resembled the dink and dunk approach of the past few years.

QB Jay Fiedler, Pass: 6 - 10 - 88 - 1 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 1 - 0 - 0

Fiedler came in for garbage time and prevented the Jets from being shut out. He completed a touchdown pass to Chris Baker with 29 seconds left in the game, yet also managed to contribute to the comedy of errors by New York when he fumbled. New York recovered the ball.

RB Curtis Martin, Rush: 20 - 57 - 0, Rec: 3 - 20 - 0 (3 targets)

Martin had very little running room from the outset. The Chiefs seemed determined to make Chad Pennington beat them, and he was unable to do so. Gunther Cunningham’s defense made it a point to reduce Martin’s effectiveness, and it showed in the stat line. Martin totaled just 57 yards on 20 carries, and rarely had any room to run. His long run of the game went for a mere 11 yards. Martin nearly was able to salvage his day when the Jets got close to the end zone. Martin carried twice from the two yard line, but was stifled on both runs. Martin got all of the Jets’ running back carries in the game.

WR Laveranues Coles, Rec: 6 - 66 - 0 (10 targets)

Coles had a poor game, even though he turned in 66 yards on six receptions. He dropped at least two sure touchdowns, one just outside the goal line and one actually in the end zone. Both passes were in his hands and should have been caught for scores. Had he held onto the first one especially, the game could have turned out very differently. There was actually an additional third pass that Coles could have caught for a score, but it bounced off his hands and went out of bounds. It would have been a nice catch, but certainly one that Coles has made before. Outside of his drops, his name was rarely mentioned during the telecast and he was virtually invisible from the Jets’ offense for long stretches of time.

WR Wayne Chrebet, Rec: 3 - 33 - 0 (7 targets)

Chrebet wasn’t even thrown to in the first half, but was looked to more as the game went on. He didn’t do a whole heck of a lot with his targets, garnering 33 yards on three receptions. He appears to still be settled in his role as the third receiver, and one of the league’s better third-down options.

WR Justin McCareins, Rec: 3 - 39 - 0 (8 targets)

The fact that McCareins was targeted eight times, yet only came up with three receptions, is very telling. He made very little impact in what has to be considered a colossal disappointment. Many had seen the hiring of OC Mike Heimerdinger as a boon to McCareins, since the two worked so well together in Tennessee. There’s still a lot of season left to be played, of course, but this was a most inauspicious debut.

TE Chris Baker, Rec: 7 - 124 - 1 (8 targets)

Baker had a monster game. Sure, three of his receptions, 36 of his yards, and the touchdown grab all came with the game well in hand and Jay Fiedler in at QB. But that means Baker still had four receptions for 88 yards when the game was as-yet-undecided. Baker largely took advantage of Kansas City blitzing to sit down underneath and wait for the dump off from Chad Pennington. While it may not keep up, for one week at least, Baker was an integral part of the Jets’ passing attack. He was really the only bright spot for the Jets offensively, and he’s a player to keep an eye on.

TE Doug Jolley, Rec: 2 - 18 - 0 (3 targets)

For the precise reason you should keep an eye out for Baker, that’s exactly why you should pretty much avoid Jolley at this point. His role in the offense is very hazy, and only three passes went in his direction (none in the first half). If an injury should befall Baker, then Jolley might be someone to keep an eye out for. But at this point, he is just a solid NFL backup tight end – and a fantasy afterthought.

PK Mike Nugent 0 - 1 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 1 points

After ridding themselves of Doug Brien in the off-season, the Jets certainly envisioned a more promising start with their new kicker in town. Unfortunately for New York, Nugent’s first career field goal attempt (from 28 yards out) became a disaster. He extended his plant leg a bit too far on the attempt, causing him to slip. The slip, in turn, caused the kick to come out low, and the Chiefs easily blocked it. Nugent did connect for the extra point following the Baker touchdown.

NYJ Rush Defense

The combination of Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson combined to carry the ball 31 times for 195 yards and three touchdowns. The Chiefs began the game with the following plays:

5-yard run by Holmes 35-yard run by Holmes 35-yard touchdown run by Johnson

And from there, the Chiefs were well on their way to a rout. One side note: On the Holmes three yard touchdown run, replays showed that he actually came up about a yard short of the end zone. Somehow, the official right on the spot failed to see it that way. The Jets did not challenge, and the score stood. Had New York challenged the play (and likely won it), the Chiefs would have had a third and goal from the one yard line.

NYJ Pass Defense

The Chiefs were able to basically run at will, so they didn’t feel the need to test the Jets secondary much. But when they did, they found success there as well. The Jets had their moments, such as when Trent Green was in the midst of completing just one pass in nine attempts. Or when Green was about to deliver the dagger blow to New York, only to be intercepted in the end zone by newcomer Ty Law. Of course, at other times it seemed as if the only reason the Chiefs didn’t throw for 350 yards was because they didn’t have to. The Jets had numerous matchup problems, with David Barrett getting beaten an inordinate number of times early on. The Jets recorded just one sack of Green, and didn’t really get consistent pressure on him during the game.

QB Trent Green, Pass: 15 - 26 - 200 - 0 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 1 - -1 - 0

Green wasn’t great, but he was efficient when he needed to be. Most importantly, he showed no ill effects from his leg surgery procedure last week. His mobility was never a strength to his game, so that aspect isn’t a concern. One play in particular that stood out was early in the game when he was facing an oncoming rush from New York. Rather than crumble and take a sack, Green was able to maneuver himself, step towards the line, and flip the ball to Priest Holmes for a completion down to the three yard line. While he’ll never be confused with Michael Vick, it was nice to see Green able to get around well on the leg without any hesitation. His one big miscue came on an ill-advised pass into the end zone. Looking for Samie Parker in the corner of the end zone, Ty Law broke off coverage of his man to step in front of the pass for the interception. It was more a nice play by Law than a terrible pass by Green, but it was still a pass that probably shouldn’t have been made as there was a lot of congestion in the area. Green also endured a stretch during which he completed just one of nine passes, including one pass that was nearly intercepted by Eric Barton. But Green was able to recover from that and enjoy a solid win, though not a spectacular day stat-wise. Green lost eight yards passing on a play that was called back due to a holding penalty.

RB Priest Holmes, Rush: 22 - 85 - 1, Rec: 1 - 5 - 0 (4 targets)

Holmes finished with unspectacular stats (by Priest Holmes standards), gaining 90 total yards and scoring once. Of course, no Holmes owners are going to complain about that kind of a stat line on a weekly basis. It may be a mild concern to some that on a day when Larry Johnson absolutely ripped up the Jets’ run defense, Holmes averaged fewer than four yards per carry. Rest assured, his final stat line was a bit of a fluke. Holmes had gained 95 yards on his first 20 carries. Then with the game completely out of reach and the Jets knowing Kansas City would be running, they brought the house on successive runs late in the game. Holmes’ last two carries ended up totaling minus ten yards. So, his stats could have looked better. Most Holmes owners were probably primarily concerned with how he looked. Well, he took his second carry of the game for 35 yards up the left sideline. And his three yard touchdown run was a spectacular effort, during which he dragged several defenders a few yards each on his way to the goal line (though replays showed he actually came up about a yard short, luckily for him New York did not challenge the play). Curiously, Holmes was still in the game with just under ten minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and the Chiefs already up 27-0. Holmes lost eight yards receiving on a play that was called back due to a holding penalty.

RB Larry Johnson, Rush: 9 - 110 - 2, Rec: 1 - 11 - 0 (3 targets)

Johnson was the obvious star of the game. His very first carry of the season was a 35 yard score right up the gut of the Jets’ defense. He went completely untouched on his way to paydirt, and the blocking scheme on the play was simply perfect. Following the score, Johnson wasn’t heard from for awhile. But every time he came into the game after that, he made his presence felt. He added a second touchdown run, a four yard burst in which he absolutely flattened several Jets defenders to get the score. Considering how highly-regarded the Jets defense is, the only assessment we can say about Johnson is that he’s legit. He simply cannot be tackled on the first hit, and it isn’t overrating him to say that he may be the better option for the Chiefs offense at this point, regardless of what Priest Holmes has done in recent years. CBS commentator Phil Simms even pointed out that Johnson is certainly the more explosive of the two backs.

WR Eddie Kennison, Rec: 4 - 76 - 0 (6 targets)

Kennison wasn’t looked to often, but when he was good things usually happened. On a day when the Chiefs didn’t really need to put the ball in the air much, Kennison snagged a team high four passes for 76 yards. All in all, it was a typical day at the office for Kennison.

WR Samie Parker, Rec: 2 - 23 - 0 (3 targets)

Parker wasn’t heard from too much, and wasn’t targeted at all in the second half. He was the intended target on the Trent Green interception in the end zone, so the good news out of that is that at least the Chiefs were looking for him in the end zone.

TE Tony Gonzalez, Rec: 4 - 51 - 0 (7 targets)

Gonzalez provided standard Gonzalez type stats, with 4 receptions for 51 yards. He failed to score, and wasn’t heavily featured in the game plan, but he didn’t come up empty, either. None of the Chiefs receiving threats were featured heavily, and with the running game so dominant, 51 yards is about all Gonzalez owners could have hoped for. He didn’t seem to be bothered by any of the various maladies that bothered him this past off-season.

PK Lawrence Tynes 2 - 3 FG, 3 - 3 XP, 9 points

After a disastrous start to the preseason, Tynes started coming along later in the month. He carried over that good fortune into Week one, as he nailed a 41 yard field goal right down the middle on his first attempt of the season. He also later connected from 38 yards out, but capped his day negatively by hooking a 32 yard attempt late in the fourth quarter.

KC Rush Defense

The Chiefs made a concerted effort to stifle Curtis Martin in the game. He finished with just 57 yards on 20 carries. Mission accomplished. Shutting Martin down enabled the Chiefs to build their lead and force the Jets to pass pretty much the entire second half. With Kansas City knowing what was coming, it made their job that much easier. DT Ryan Sims was carted off the field in the first half with a foot injury. No update was given on his condition.

KC Pass Defense

We don’t want to overestimate this unit long term based off of one week, but the Chiefs looked awesome in this phase of the game. While they were bailed out by numerous Jets miscues, the Chiefs also did a fine job of making some plays themselves. They put pressure on Chad Pennington all game long, forcing him into some poor passes. They covered the Jets’ receivers very well, save for two plays where Laveranues Coles was able to get behind them (he dropped the passes anyway). Two down notes: 1) The Chiefs came within 29 seconds of shutting New York out, but gave up a touchdown to TE Chris Baker on the Jets’ final possession. 2) Starting CB Patrick Surtain suffered a concussion in the first half. After intercepting a Chad Pennington pass, Surtain streaked downfield. During the return, he was tackled from behind and his head was driven forward into the turf. Surtain remained down for several moments, but eventually got to his feet and walked off under his own power. He did not return to the game, and his status for next week is unclear at this point.