BY TRISTAN SASSE
After beginning the season 5-0, the Kansas City Chiefs have dropped four of their last five games. On Sunday, the New York Giants stunned the Chiefs for a 12-9 overtime victory. The Giants forced three turnovers and allowed no touchdowns before going on to win their second game of the season. On a positive note, Kansas City is still leading the AFC West, but will most likely fall in the AFC standings.
Game Recap
With essentially nothing to play for, the Giants converted a fake punt on their first drive of the game. The drive was halted shortly after, deep in Kansas City territory, when Daniel Sorensen intercepted a halfback pass attempt by Shane Vereen.
The Giants followed the turnover with a takeaway of their own. Alex Smith threw an interception to Damon “Snacks” Harrison on a shovel pass. The Chiefs entered Sunday with the fewest giveaways (4) in the NFL. New York capitalized off the turnover, 6 plays later, with a 1-yard touchdown run by Orleans Darkwa.
On the ensuing drive, Kansas City converted a fourth down conversion to keep the drive alive. After 15 plays and 61 yards, the Chiefs had to settle for a 31-yard field goal by Harrison Butker.
New York went into halftime leading Kansas City, 6-3. Entering Sunday, the Chiefs averaged the second most points per game (31) on the road. Additionally, the Giants were giving up the most ppg at home in the NFL, with 31.5 per game.
The Chiefs also finished the first half with 157 yards, while holding the Giants to 93.
On Kansas City’s opening possession of the second half, the Chiefs threatened into Giants territory but were forced to punt. Both offenses continued to struggle throughout the third. The Giants were driving, but failed a fourth down conversion in KC territory near the end of the quarter.
The final play of the third quarter resulted in a 38-yard reception by Tyreek Hill. Kansas City began the fourth quarter deep in Giants territory still trailing 6-3.
Butker tacked on his second 31-yard field goal of the game with 13:30 remaining. The Kansas City defense locked in and forced the Giants to punt twice midway through the fourth. When the Chiefs regained possession, Travis Kelce threw an interception to Landon Collins on a designed trick play.
Late in the fourth, Smith threw his second interception of the game. Janoris Jenkins intercepted the pass and returned it deep into Chiefs territory. The turnover resulted in a 26-yard field goal by Aldrick Rosas.
With under two minutes remaining, the Chiefs marched down the field and Smith found Kelce for a reception over the middle to move the ball deep into Giants territory. Butker drilled his third field goal on the afternoon right before time expired to send the game to overtime.
Kansas City won the coin toss and elected to receive. The Chiefs’ offense failed to move the ball efficiently and was forced to punt. New York answered by moving the ball down the field and converting a fourth down to Roger Lewis. Rosas then drilled a 23-yard game-winning field goal.
By the Numbers
For Kansas City, Smith entered the game with one interception, but threw two on Sunday. Kelce finished with eight receptions and 108 yards, while Kareem Hunt added 73 rushing yards on 18 carries.
For New York, Eli Manning completed 19-of-35 pass attempts for 205 yards. Lewis had 55 receiving yards and Tavarres King contributed with 48. Darkwa had 20 carries for 74 rushing yards and a touchdown.
The Chiefs finished with more first downs (22-20) and more total yards (363-317), but had three turnovers and nine penalties for 87 yards.
With the loss, Andy Reid falls to 16-3 as a head coach in games after a bye week.
Looking Ahead
Next week, Kansas City (6-4) will look to rebound at home against the Buffalo Bills (5-4). New York (2-8) will travel to our nation’s capital to face the Washington Redskins (4-6).