Superb Eric Berry Is Helping and Hurting The Kansas City Chiefs

The Falcons, rallying from a 27-16 deficit, went ahead 28-27 on Matt Ryan’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Aldrick Robinson with 4:32 remaining.

Congratulations to Matt Ryan for posting his 50th consecutive game throwing for 200 yards or more, an achievement tarnished by his throws to Kansas City safety Eric Berry. “And I know those are correctable and fixable”. There was also a fake punt by Kansas City that Atlanta never saw coming that the Chiefs ran for a touchdown. After reaching the end zone, he handed the ball to his mother sitting in the stands at the Georgia Dome. He now has three interception returns in what’s quickly becoming the best season of his career.

“He watches so much film, it’s ridiculous”, linebacker Tamba Hali said of Berry. So many other guys on that defense get credit but he’s their leader and seems to make big plays when needed most. Tight end Travis Kelce caught a 21-yard pass against zone coverage.

The Chiefs were uncharacteristically penalized 13 times for 128 yards, almost handing the game to the Falcons. A direct snap to wide receiver Albert Wilson went 55 yards for a touchdown. “I will for sure be prepared and ready to play”.

Early in the third quarter, Kansas City faced fourth down near mid-field, but that’s where Head Coach Andy Reid made a decision to roll the dice. His pick-six was returned from 37 yards out, and it was a long 98 yards Berry ran to return the 2-point conversion. A 2-point try failed, but Atlanta got the ball back. It was a rock ’em, sock ’em defensive struggle for most of the evening until Cairo Santos kicked a 34-yard field goal that caromed off the left upright and was good.

“Eric is the heart and soul of this team – I think the embodiment of what we’re about”, Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith said, who threw for 270 yards and one touchdown. Nick Novak missed the extra point, with footing slippery at Lambeau.

By the end of the first quarter the CBS commentators were labeling Sunday’s game as a footrace between the two offenses. His ability to tackle strategy in the open field and disrupt the short passing game will be huge, specifically against players like Taylor Gabriel who are excellent after the catch. There’s the hanging on to two timeouts on offense with just six seconds left in the first half.

Tom Compton, a fourth-year veteran out of South Dakota, replaced Matthews. Houston and Detroit also returned interceptions for touchdowns in games the Jaguars lost by less than seven points. As long as the Chiefs keep winning, they have a very good shot at securing a first round BYE. CB Steven Nelson started in place of Chiefs CB Phillip Gaines (knee).

Let’s hope it’s the second, but if the Chiefs are a team of destiny I worry some of us may not live to see it.

Berry went to Creekside High School in Fairburn and played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers.