evolution

The Chiefs routed the Atlanta Falcons in week seven of the NFL season, 56-10. Outside of some defensive hiccups and a turnover in the first quarter, the Chiefs were dominant all day. Defensively, the Chiefs harassed Falcon QB Michael Vick constantly, sacking him four times and intercepting two passes. On the other side of the ball, the Falcon defense had no antidote to the Chiefs’ offensive line, which played a nearly perfect game. The Falcons’ defensive line spent most of the game either moving backward or lying on their backs.

The Chiefs featured the screen pass a lot more than in previous games, and one wonders why. C Casey Wiegmann is one of the NFL’s smaller and more athletic centers; and he spearheaded a couple of screens that went for long gains. As a result of the line play, QB Trent Green went 20 for 27 with 269 yards. I have always believed that given time to work in the pocket, Green is good enough to shred most defenses.

Players of the game:

• Offensive: OTs Willie Roaf and John Welbourn, OGs Brian Waters and Will Shields, and Wiegmann, who bulldozed the Atlanta defense all day long.
• Defensive (tie): CB Eric Warfield and DE Jared Allen — Allen with two sacks, and Warfield with his fourth interception, coming right after a deep KC punt.
• Special teams: WR Dante Hall — for doing a little of everything. Hall nearly broke a couple of returns; he also had two carries from scrimmage for 21 yards and two catches for 27 yards.

Next week, the Chiefs will host the 4-2 Indianapolis Colts, who lost today to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Colts are much like the Chiefs — they feature a potent offense and had questions about their defense to start the season. Both teams should light up the Arrowhead Stadium scoreboard next week.