THE MULLEN REPORT

Our reporter in Kansas City, Curtis Mullen, covered Saturday’s Chiefs-Vikings preseason game for Rodpedersen.com.  Here’s his report:

KANSAS CITY – With the humidex pushing 41 C, fans endured the sauna-like conditions as they tailgated in preparation of the Chiefs third game of the 2014 exhibition season.  Due to the high temperatures, only the field goal kickers wore full gear for the entire pre-game warm up.  The remaining team members did their part of the warm-ups in just shirts and shorts.

On their first possession of the game Matt Cassel led the Vikings on a 5-play 97-yard drive to score the first TD of the game.  Later in the quarter, while the Chiefs were in the red zone, Alex Smith threw the first interception of the game which the Vikings defense returned to their six yard line.  Two plays later, Matt Cassel fumbled the ball while he was in the end zone.  The ball was knocked out of bounds so the Chiefs were awarded two points for their first points of the game.

In the first drive of the second quarter, Alex Smith threw his second interception of the game this time at the Vikings seven yard line. On the Chiefs next possession, Smith led the team on a 14-play 77-yard drive which led to a 21 yard field goal by Carlos Santos, narrowing the Viking lead to two points.  On their last possession of the half Matt Cassel led the Vikings on a 5-play 30-yard drive which led to a 41 yard field goal to widen their lead to 5 points.  At the end of the second quarter the score was 10 – 5 in favour of the Vikings.

On their second possession of the third quarter, the Vikings had a nine play 49 yard drive which resulted in a 32 yard field goal thereby increasing their lead to 13 – 5. Tyler Bray succeeded Alex Smith at the 4:37 mark of the third quarter, but on this third play he threw the Chiefs third interception of the game.  That turnover enabled the Vikings, now led by QB Teddy Bridgewater to throw an eight yard pass to Allen Reisner for a TD.  That increased the Viking lead to 20 – 5. A 75 yard punt return by Adam Theilen to the Chiefs five yard line set up the next Viking possession.  On the very next play Teddy Bridgewater threw his second TD of the game to Allen Reisner.  The score was now 27 – 5.

In the fourth quarter, the backups for both teams started to play.  During the quarter the Vikings Teddy Bridgewater helped the team eat up 5:45 on the clock while leading an 11 play 73 yard drive.  This culminated in a 28 yard field goal, increasing the Viking lead to 30 – 5.  To close out the game Tyler Bray led the Chiefs on a nine play 80 yard drive for a TD narrowing the Viking lead and pushing the final score to 30 – 12 for the Vikings.

As with football at any level, the Chiefs proved that if you lose the turnover battle, you tend to lose the game.  With three interceptions, including two in the red zone, the Chiefs did not do themselves any favours and eventually succumbed to their mistakes.

For Rider fans, Weston Dressler entered the game at the 9:10 mark of the first quarter.  He was on the field for exactly one play. QB Alex Smith attempted a pass to Weston, however he was rushed on the play and overthrew the pass.  As it turned out, that was the only opportunity Weston would have to show off his skills.  He remained on the sidelines for the rest of the game.