This preview is a lot tougher than past previews. Why? Well, on previous occasions, I knew which quarterback would start. I don't exactly have that luxury now, not with Damon Huard being questionable. I don't even have a track record to go on with the potential starter, Brodie Croyle. So let's start with the easier one:When the Chiefs run the ball
Even this section isn't too easy. We all know that Larry Johnson will run the ball a lot, even if Huard is able to play. The main question is, will the Chiefs merely run the ball a lot, or all the time? If the Chiefs call upon Croyle, expect the Chiefs to run the ball closer to 40 than 30 times. Michael Bennett is no longer listed on the injury report, so expect to see him get several touches as well.
The most encouraging part about the Chiefs' run game last week was not that Johnson garnered over 130 yards, but rather that several times he was asked to run to the outside. That was an element sorely missing in the Chiefs' attack before last week, and it allowed defenses to attack the middle. Even if Mike Solari has little faith in the tackles, he needs to call for outside rushes in order to spread the defense a little. He did last week, and Johnson saw a lot more daylight than he's seen in weeks. The Seahawks' run defense is solid, but Solari showed last week against a great run-defense team that, with the right calls, Johnson can slice up any defense.
When the Chiefs pass the ball
Okay, now the difficult part. Or is it? We all know about Huard's abilities by now, and we know that Solari has opened up his playbook a little more, now that the Chiefs are comfortable with Huard. But what about Croyle? He had what can only be described as a debut he would like to forget, throwing 2 interceptions in 7 pass attempts. The positive side is that he completed 60 percent of passes that didn't end up in the opponent's hands.
If Croyle gets the start, expect the playbook to be similar to what it was in Denver-- short dropbacks, safe passes, and lots of running plays. Croyle may actually have more opportunities than Huard had in Denver, because Seattle's pass defense has been very suspect of late, but expect the Chiefs to temper those opportunities somewhat. If Huard is able to go, you may see a lot more deep passes because they will want to attack the safeties, who are not exactly oozing with confidence. One thing, however, is clear: Tony Gonzalez has shown he can still dominate a game, so either quarterback needs to look his way.
Prediction: Chiefs 24, Seahawks 13 (with Huard); Chiefs 16, Seahawks 9 (with Croyle)
