Bryant - Game Recaps

The Chiefs effectively used a balanced attack and dominated the clock with a time of possession over 39 minutes against the Ravens in their first win of the season. Trent Green was sharp, and made two rushes that set up both of the touchdown scores in the first half of play.

As the leading receiving threat for the Chiefs, Tony Gonzalez found himself in double coverage throughout the game. This freed up Jason Dunn who made a 17-yard reception during the Chiefs' opening drive and was wide open to make a 3-yard touchdown reception. Though after the opening drive, Gonzalez regained his step and finished the game with 4 receptions for 42 yards.

Priest Holmes was a huge part of this win. His effective running against the tough Ravens' defense gave the Chiefs the edge throughout the game. He finished with 125 yards on 33 carries and scored 2 rushing touchdowns.

The Chiefs are not known for a strong defense, but they made key plays to force the Ravens to punt on 5 of their possessions. Boller was sacked four times. There were no turnovers in this game.

Baltimore Ravens

At the end of the first half, Kyle Boller had only completed 3 out of 7 passing attempts for 74 yards. And the Ravens had time of possession of only 8:20. But two key plays in the first half kept the score tied. On a flea flicker back from Jamal Lewis, Kyle Boller threw a 57-yard touchdown pass to Randy Hymes. And then with less than two minutes left in the first half, B.J. Sams returned a punt 58-yards for a touchdown.

After an 18-yard carry to open the game, Jamal Lewis was held in check by the Chiefs until the fourth quarter. During that drive, Lewis rushed for 38 yards on 7 carries and scored a touchdown. It was mentioned by Al Michaels that Lewis could be facing a 2-3 game suspension after his plea bargain in the very near future. Perhaps even as soon as after the Ravens' week 6 bye.

The Ravens' defense was on the field for the vast majority of the game and had trouble stopping the Chiefs' offense. They were able to hold the Chiefs to 3 and out near the end of the fourth quarter to give their offense another chance to win the game.

WHAT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW

Kansas City Chiefs

QB: Trent Green (21-31-223, 1 TD, 2-20 rushing) Green was sharp connecting with his tight ends and wide receivers. He scrambled to gain 7 yards during the Chiefs' opening drive, and then connected with TE Jason Dunn for a 3-yard touchdown pass. Clock management was a problem with Green early in the game as there seemed to be a bit of confusion as they used 3 time outs during the first quarter of play. Two of the time outs were taken on consecutive plays. Green evaded a sack and rushed for 13-yards to the 4-yard line, setting up Priest Holmes' touchdown run. In the opening drive of the second half, Green evaded yet another sack and was able to complete a pass to Chris Horn to gain a first down.

RB: Priest Holmes (33-125, 2 TD rushing) Holmes gained first downs for the Chiefs on his first two carries of the game. But the Ravens' defense was effective in containing him the rest of the drive. He was able to break a tackle in the second quarter, but was still held to only 2 yards on the carry. He made an impressive hurdling 4-yard touchdown run. Holmes had an 11-yard carry at the end of the first half. It was initially ruled a first down but after going under review the call was overturned and the ball placed 1-yard shy of the first down. The Chiefs were forced to punt, resulting in B. J. Sams' touchdown return. At the start of the fourth quarter, Holmes leaped and dove to score his second touchdown. All in all, he was pretty much the normal Priest Holmes we've come to expect, even against Ray Lewis and company.

Tony Richardson (1-4 rushing, 2-10 receiving on 3 targets) Richardson made his second carry of the season and gained 4 yards. He had a 4-yard reception in the second quarter when Green found all of his other options covered. Richardson's blocking played a large role in limiting Raven linebacker Ray Lewis.

Derrick Blaylock (6-28 rushing) Blaylock carried the ball in relief of Holmes. He was particularly effective in a third quarter drive during which he gained 25 yards on 4 carries. But when the Chiefs were in the red zone, Holmes came back into the game.

WR: Johnnie Morton (5-64 receiving on 6 targets, 1-4 rushing) Morton made a great leaping 19-yard reception right on the sidelines to gain a first down. Morton was targeted deep by Green but was covered by Chris McAllister and even if he had made the catch it would have been for naught as they were penalized for an illegal shift. Morton made a 20-yard third down reception beating Chris McAlister, who he battled with all evening.

Chris Horn (5-60 receiving on 11 targets) Horn made a great 38-yard reception but it was called back on a holding penalty. Horn was also targeted twice in the end zone. Horn made two receptions in the opening drive of the second half.

Dante' Hall (2-24 receiving on 3 targets) Hall had two 12-yard receptions in the second quarter.

Eddie Kennison was out of the game with a hamstring injury.

TE: Tony Gonzalez (4-42 receiving on 7 targets) Gonzalez was targeted with Trent Green's first passing attempt, but was unable to make the reception. Gonzalez was double teamed throughout the game. He had 2 passes intended for him knocked away by Ed Reed in the first half of play. Gonzalez broke a tackle and spun off of another to make an 18-yard reception and gain a first down for the Chiefs.

Jason Dunn (3-23 receiving on 4 targets) Dunn was the beneficiary of the double coverage that Tony Gonzalez faced. Dunn made a 17-yard reception in the Chiefs' first drive of the game. He then made a 3-yard touchdown reception. His fourth reception of the game during the second drive was ruled as no play the Chiefs had an illegible receiver down field.

K: Lawrence Tynes (3 XP, 2-2 FG) Tynes made two field goals of 41 and 38 yards.

Pass Defense: The Chiefs' secondary effectively covered the Ravens' receivers giving Kyle Boller limited passing options. Eric Hicks tipped a pass forcing the Ravens to punt. Erick Warfield intercepted Boller in the end zone, but it did not count as the Chiefs were called for holding.

Rush Defense: Kyle Boller was sacked four times. A holding penalty took away what would have been an interception in the end zone and the Ravens answered with a touchdown score.

Baltimore Ravens

QB: Kyle Boller (10-17-154, 1 TD, 3-3 rushing) The Ravens went 3 and out on their second drive of the game, but it wasn't due to the play of Kyle Boller who had a very catchable pass dropped by Terry Jones and then a pass tipped incomplete. In the second quarter, Boller handed the ball to Lewis, who tossed it back to him and Boller threw to an open Randy Hymes for a 57-touchdown pass. Near the end of the game, Boller fumbled the ball. But it was recovered by Kevin Johnson and the Ravens maintained possession.

RB: Jamal Lewis (15-73, 1 TD rushing) Lewis opened the game with an 18-yard carry. With the Chiefs dominating the game, Lewis was not a big factor until the fourth quarter. He ran hard with key carries, breaking tackles to gain yardage. He capitalized on the penalties in the fourth quarter and extended his arm to score a touchdown.

Chester Taylor (1-4 rushing, 2-9 receiving on 2 targets) Taylor carried the ball in relief of Lewis but wasn't much of a factor.

WR: Randy Hymes (2-68, 1 TD receiving on 4 targets) Hymes made an 11-yard slant reception over the middle during the Raven's opening drive. Hymes was targeted deep on the very next play but the pass was broken up by Eric Warfield. He was wide open on the 57-yard reception to score the Ravens' first touchdown. In the fourth quarter, he was overthrown in the end zone but drew a defensive pass interference call.

Kevin Johnson (2-28 receiving on 3 targets, 1-0 rushing) Johnson attempted an end around rush but was stopped at the line of scrimmage. He wasn't targeted again until the fourth quarter of play when he made a 22-yard reception. Johnson also recovered Kyle Boller's fumble. Kevin Johnson almost made a reception at the end of the game that would have put the Ravens into scoring position.

Clarence Moore (1-11 receiving on 2 targets) Moore made an 11-yard reception in the fourth quarter.

Travis Taylor was doubtful going into the game with a thigh injury and did not play.

TE: Terry Jones (3-38 receiving on 5 targets) Jones made a 5-yard reception during the Raven's first drive. The second drive of the game, Jones dropped a pass he should have caught. He made a 13-yard reception to start the second half for the Ravens' offense. Jones caught a second pass on the same drive for 14-yards but it was short of the first down and the Ravens were forced to punt.

Todd Heap did not play in the game.

K: Matt Stover (3 XP, 1-1 FG) Stover made a 50-yard field goal.

Pass Defense: Chris McAlister was called for pass interference in the opening quarter of play. The very same drive Terrell Suggs was called for a personal foul of unnecessary roughness and gave the Chiefs another first down. Ed Reed knocked down a pass intended for Gonzalez. Baltimore was effective in limiting TE Tony Gonzalez early in the game but paid the price as Trent Green found the other tight end, Jason Dunn.

Rush Defense: The Ravens were unable to contain Priest Holmes who rushed against them for 125 yards on 33 carries. Trent Green was only sacked once.