Chiefs Offensive Struggles Continue

By Andy Benoit, NFL Contributing Editor

(Sports Network) - It if weren't so sad, we might enjoy the irony in this situation. For years, Chiefs fans have been clamoring for a more potent defense to go along with what has been a prolific offense. Well, they finally have one, led by rising young stars Tamba Hali, Jared Allen, Derrick Johnson, and Jarrad Page. But now their offense grades out at a cut below awful. The Chiefs are like the fat kid who loses weight his freshman year but develops acne as a sophomore.

Through two games this season, Kansas City's talented young defense has given up just 13 points to both the Texans and Bears. However, the offense has scored just 10 in both of those games. Not to mention, it gave up seven points to the Texans, and the punt coverage team gave up seven to the Bears.

"We've got a long season ahead of us, and we've got to get better," said future Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez. "Because right now, there's only one way for us to go. Our defense is playing great right now, but we've to go capitalize on the turnovers they create."

That was something the Chiefs weren't able to do at Soldier Field on Sunday. Napoleon Harris's third-quarter interception of Rex Grossman gave Kansas City the ball on the Chicago 45-yard-line, but the offense was only able to generate three points from a Dave Rayner field goal (Rayner replaced disappointing fifth-round rookie Justin Medlock this past week.) That cut the lead to 20-10.

Shortly after Damon Huard's 35-yard touchdown pass to rookie Dwayne Bowe was called back for an illegal formation, linebacker Donnie Edwards made an interception and returned the ball to Chicago's 25-yard line. That turnover, however, yielded no points because Rayner's 48-yard field goal attempt was blocked.

The decisive offensive blunder came on the next possession, when Huard's pass to Samie Parker in the end zone was tipped by Bears cornerback Charles Tillman and picked off by safety Danieal Manning.

The Chiefs offense has not quite been anemic enough to spark a quarterback controversy, even though Huard was sacked four times and knocked out of the end of Sunday's contest. "He's proved he can do it," Gonzalez said of Huard after the veteran went 19-of-28 for 175 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. "He's done it before. I don't understand why we can't do it now. Something is not working right now."

Perhaps that something is the running game. After feeding Larry Johnson the ball only 10 times in Week 1, Kansas City fired their most lethal weapon only 16 times in Week 2, as Johnson gained just 55 yards.

There doesn't appear to be too much hope looming on the horizon for the ground game. H-back Kris Wilson has struggled at times, and left tackle Damion McIntosh missed chunks of second-half action against the Bears after tweaking the right knee that caused him to go down in training camp.

CONGRATULATIONS ROOKIE, TAKE A BOWE

Normally a 16-yard touchdown reception in a losing effort isn't noteworthy, even if it is the first in what some expect to be a terrific career. However, this touchdown was too weird.

First-round rookie Dwayne Bowe made his debut in an NFL end-zone Sunday almost by accident. Bowe broke off his route and intercepted a pass that was intended for tight end Tony Gonzalez.

"I know it was intended for Tony, but being a playmaker, I've got to make plays," Bowe later said, in what has to be one of the most bizarre and potentially misleading quotes this season. (Tony) told me, 'D-Bowe, don't bring your man over to me.' I told Tony I thought (Huard) was scrambling, so I just went up and made a great catch."

TURNOVER STREAK

After defensive tackle Alfonso Boone recovered a Bernard Pollard-forced fumble, the Chiefs became the only team in the NFL to have forced at least one turnover in 20 consecutive games.

WHO'S HOT

Linebacker Napoleon Harris recorded a team-high 12 tackles against the Bears. He also had his first sack and interception as a Chief.

WHO'S NOT

Larry Johnson has carried the ball just 26 times in two games, with a mere 98 yards to show for it.

NEXT UP

The Chiefs make their 2007 home debut when they welcome their training camp rivals, the Minnesota Vikings, to town.

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Visit Andy Benoit at www.benoitmedia.com