It’s All Worth It

Since I started writing the Power Rankings column for this site, my routine goes as follows: from the moment the Chiefs wrap up their game, I take a bunker approach. I begin to gather all the information about the other contests around the league. That causes me to subtract myself from the outside world in order to deliver the piece as soon as possible — nothing can possibly distract me from such programming.

Except for days like yesterday.

What took place on Sunday is the kind of thing that happens only once with every successful change of culture, and you have to be alert in order to recognize it: Yes, the Chiefs grew right before our eyes. And it felt so good.

Of course, they didn’t win the Super Bowl, but they took one fundamental step to consider getting one. Pitted against the defending champions, the Chiefs not only won a game; they did a whole lot more than that. They showed that they can punch from the get-go; they demonstrated that they can come up with the timely turnover; they exhibited resilience in coming back from behind; they proved that there can be creativity at the doorway of danger; they displayed intensity while facing pressure; they imposed their will on the opponent; and the most important thing: they did it as a team.

Jamaal Charles deserves plenty of praise for putting the Chiefs in a position to win, but the real catalyst was Andy Studebaker. Making his first career start in place of the more decorated Mike Vrabel, Studebaker possibly changed the course of K.C.’s season by doing the fundamental part of his job — just being alert. And in the process, he injected truth to the old saying; special occasions are supported by unexpected sources.

Even with Charles’ kickoff return, Pittsburgh didn’t seem fazed. The Steelers took advantage of the Chiefs’ tightness and methodically took command of the game with a 17-point second quarter. When the second half started, Pittsburgh had one thing in mind: going for the jugular. And they were on their way to doing that when a Ben Roethlisberger’s pass bounced off Heath Miller’s hands and into Studebaker’s limbs. Suddenly, with a lucky strike, everything fell into place.

Matt Cassel loosened up his arm; Leonard Pope became a factor; Jamaal Charles ran with even more determination; Chris Chambers found the fountain of youth; Mike Brown regained his playmaking abilities; Demorrio Williams turned into a beast, Derrick Johnson enjoyed being a rider and Ryan Succop cemented his status as MR. RELEVANT. They all tell a small part of a story in which by having fun, they relaxed and absorbed like sponges the personality of their head coach. The passion was transmitted to the players’ court.

A microcosm of that was the batted pass by Tyson Jackson. Todd Haley looked calmer than in past episodes because he felt that his team was reaching its potential; he sensed that they have finally gotten the opportunity to expose all the work that they have put on; that’s why he let them be and just concentrated on directing them. The preparation was over, and it was time for execution. The Chiefs came through because they were tested and they answered the bell. No more ifs, ands or buts, led to no more coulda, woulda, shoulds. In the end, they let their character do the task for them. It took some time to show completely, but the wait was well worth it. And good things happen for those who wait.

Best of all, everything happened organically. The way it should be. With only one play, the same things that have chased the Chiefs all year came back to elevate them; left behind were the shadows of the near-upset in Baltimore, the disappointment against the Raiders, the egg laid in Philly, the shortcomings against the Giants, the heartbreak against the Cowboys, the snoozer in Washington, the humiliation suffered at the hands of the Chargers, the breakdowns in Jacksonville, and the limitations shown in Oakland. For one day, vindication was the main dish. And yet, if it weren’t for those encounters, this probably wouldn’t taste so sweet.

Due to emotion, I cannot describe properly the importance of recovering Arrowhead Stadium. Time will let me settle down to make a careful dissertation, but for starters I can say that the final sight was beautiful. The Steelers crowd was crazy from the beginning but the Chiefs’ faithful was the one that got their money’s worth. And then some.

Todd Haley came with a plan to Kansas City, but after a 1-7 start, things didn’t look as bright as they did when he first got to Missouri. Now, we cannot wait for it to be Sunday to watch the Chiefs take on the Chargers. Nobody knows for sure what to expect in facing the best in the West, but expectations are in abundance for an encore of this past showing when travelling to San Diego. From what I saw on this weekend, they’re far from a finished product, there’s still room for improvement, and there will still be voices that will – rightfully or viciously – say that this team remains a bunch of scrubs. And you know what, even if they are such, they are OUR scrubs, and they have earned the benefit of the doubt. Sometimes is that easy.

As for me, I felt the need to vent it out. Two-plus years of waiting for a breakthrough made me do it. Due to the time that I took to write this piece, I need to hurry up to prepare the Rankings column. I can always fix a helpful cup of coffee but I can’t recreate moments like this. They happen sporadically and you have to seize them when they do.

I may have to cut short a few hours of sleep but yes, without a doubt, it’s all worth it.