The Chiefs came in looking for their first win and picked it up as Miami faded in the fourth after notching a safety to close the third-quarter gap to six points.
In a game featuring 12 punts (none, though, that reached the end zone due to a handful of questionable decisions by returners), there were extended periods of short possessions and field position flipping before it finally settled with a late KC score. The Dolphins had their chances but couldn't execute in the final quarter to answer and the teams' records came even at 1-2.
Kansas City Chiefs – Performances of Note
Allen Bailey, DE and Dontari Poe, NT: +7.7 combined
Breakdown: Kansas City spent the majority of the day fielding just two down linemen, but got substantial returns from the Bailey-Poe combo. The two totaled 111 snaps, five stops, five total pressures and a pair of batted passes on their way to scoring positives across the board.
Signature Play: 2Q 6:30, patrolling the line of scrimmage, Poe positions himself and gets off the ground to bat down a pass intended for an open crossing route.
Sean Smith, CB: +2.4
Breakdown: The former Dolphin’s +2.2 coverage grade matched the highest he’s earned in a game since leaving Miami. Smith saw seven targets into his coverage but only one was completed as he allowed just 15 yards and came away with a pass defensed.
Signature Play: 1Q 2:17, Smith slides in front of Brian Hartline on a slant to swat down a third-down Tannehill pass and force a punt.
Knile Davis, HB: -7.2
Breakdown: The 132 yards on the ground that were highlighted by an impressive touchdown scamper certainly don’t tell the whole story of Davis’ day. That run and a few other positives on the ground couldn’t outweigh the negatives in other facets — Davis fumbled twice, dropped the only pass that came his way, and had a nightmare outing as a pass blocker, surrendering two sacks and a hurry to blitzing linebackers.
Signature Stat: On five pass-blocking snaps, Davis gave up the aforementioned three pressures and whiffed on another attempt as Cameron Wake slipped past him (3Q, 7:26).
Miami Dolphins – Performances of Note
Jelani Jenkins, OLB: +4.5
Breakdown: With the highest snap total of his young career, Jenkins turned in an active day. The linebacker notched a pair of sacks and added a hurry, forced a fumble and logged eight defensive stops among his 13 total tackles.
Signature Stat: His five run stops and three total pressures were both second-best figures at his position this week.
Cameron Wake, DE: +3.1
Breakdown: Wake’s QB hit and four hurries contributed to a growing pass rush grade that sees him comfortably leading all 4-3 defensive ends (+12.3) after finishing second in that category last season and first in 2012.
Signature Play: 4Q 15:00 Wake blows past KC right tackle Ryan Harris and squares the turn to arrive at QB in a blink and deliver a hit.
Dallas Thomas, RG: -5.1
Breakdown: After a preseason that saw Thomas land at the foot of our guard ranks (with a -15.8 overall mark), he saw his first start replacing injured Shelley Smith at right guard. Unfortunately for Miami, Thomas picked up where he left off in the exhibition games, allowing four hurries in pass pro and earning a -3.3 grade as a run blocker as he had trouble
Signature Play: 1Q 6:30 Failing to catch a looping Bailey, Thomas gets spun around and lets the DT past to get in on a TFL.
PFF Game Ball
Helping the Chiefs to their first win, the Allen Bailey–Dontari Poe pairing share the game ball.
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