The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ 28-18 victory over the San Francisco 49ers was a real crew effort throughout all three phases of the Week 7 recreation. The protection continued its stellar season by forcing three turnovers, whereas the offense powered via with 4 dashing touchdowns. Even the particular groups unit had its share of huge moments — though not with out some early turbulence.
On a first-quarter fourth-and-1, the Chiefs tried a pretend punt through which rookie defensive again Jaden Hicks took a direct snap up the center.
Although the play fell wanting a primary down, Kansas Metropolis’ particular groups coordinator Dave Toub stood by the decision.
“Clearly, fakes are not any good once they don’t work,” Toub instructed reporters on Thursday. “We tried it. We thought the timing was proper. It was early — type of extra of a shock. I assumed we may get it — clearly, I wouldn’t have referred to as it if I assumed we couldn’t get it. We simply didn’t execute it completely. It occurs.”
However Toub’s unit rebounded shortly. Within the second quarter, huge receiver Mecole Hardman got here via with a 55-yard return to the 49ers’ 30-yard line, establishing one other key scoring drive for Kansas Metropolis.
“The punt returner is — apart from the quarterback — in all probability the toughest factor to do in my view, on the soccer discipline,” remarked Toub. “It’s laborious. You’ve guys coming down on you, you must make lots of fast choices [and] you must catch the ball. It’s robust.
“I’ve lots of belief in [Hardman]. He has the good expertise — and he’s gotten higher and higher. He’s actually taking it severely this yr. It’s a giant a part of his function proper now — being that man.”
Toub was happy with the crew’s defensive starters like Turk Wharton and Nick Bolton that remained on the sphere for Hardman’s return — however significantly All-Professional cornerback Trent McDuffie, who delivered an important block whereas the ball was within the air.
“I had all these guys earlier than — so once they get on the market on that play, they’ve an opportunity to make a play on particular groups,” famous the longtime coordinator. “[McDuffie] takes it actually severely. Simply the opposite day, he caught his head in my workplace, [asking], ‘Hey, did you see my knockdown?’ I stated, ‘Yeah, I noticed your knockdown.’
“It’s superior, I imply all these guys — Turk and all people on the market, Bolton — each one in every of them is working actual laborious to get blocks. That’s why that play labored. You’ve defensive [starters] who’re taking part in their butt off for you on particular groups.”
