Certainly, this week in the NFL brought a mix of surprises and dramatic moments. The 49ers experienced their second consecutive loss, the Bills suffered an unexpected defeat against the Patriots, and the Lions were practically shut out. Meanwhile, the Colts and Browns engaged in a thrilling shootout that went down to the final minute. And, in jest, we wonder if the Bears have a new QB1. Not to be overlooked, the Falcons had their own share of drama with the Bijan situation. Every game had its unique storyline, but let’s shift our attention to the Chiefs.
Chiefs Recap:
- The Chiefs have dominated their AFC West Division rivals, winning an impressive 46 out of their last 52 games (88%).
- In the first half, the Chiefs’ offense was incredibly potent, averaging 10.7 yards per play.
- Patrick Mahomes was in top form, racking up 324 yards and three touchdowns, with Travis Kelce surpassing 100 receiving yards in the first half.
- Mahomes achieved his 10th career 400-yard passing game, showcasing his exceptional skills.
- Unfortunately, Nick Bolton will be sidelined for the next six weeks due to an injury.
- On a less positive note, Justyn Ross was arrested last night, adding an off-field concern to the mix.
Game Recap:
Although the game appeared competitive during the first 45 minutes of play, the final score better reflects the overall performance. My prediction last week was 28-14, so I’m content with the final result of 31-17, which was slightly off the mark (:
I think the Chiefs easily cover 5.5 Spread.
Give me the Chiefs 28-14
Improve to 6-1
Defense:
Charles Omenihu wasted no time in making a significant impact, and I don’t hesitate to say that, while our defensive line may not feature as many household names as the Eagles or Niners, our depth and results are beyond question. Our defense has already secured two interceptions and brought down Herbert behind the line of scrimmage five times.
Although the absence of Nick Bolton may lead to some intriguing challenges over the next couple of months, it does present an opportunity for Tranquill and Chenal to gain valuable experience.
Our secondary continues to impress, with Bryan Cook showing improvement week after week. Meanwhile, L’Jarius Sneed is making a strong case for being recognized as a top cornerback in the league.
Offense:
Let’s exclude the Travis Kelce stats. Patrick Mahomes delivered an impressive performance, completing 20 out of 30 passes for 245 yards and three touchdowns. This achievement is particularly remarkable considering our offense is statistically better than last year, though it hasn’t fully hit its stride yet.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (MVS) staged a much-needed comeback, while Rashee Rice continues to ascend the wide receiver ranks with consistent stat lines and a growing number of touchdowns. While acknowledging that the Offensive Rookie of the Year (OROY) title might be a bit ambitious, it’s an idea worth considering, especially if we can expect similar performances with a few standout games mixed in.
The running game didn’t quite find its rhythm, but the fact that both McKinnon and Pacheco made an impact in the receiving aspect of our offense is reassuring. Additionally, Pacheco’s 13 carries show that we didn’t completely abandon the running game, which is a positive sign.
Wide Receivers:
The approach of using a wide receiver committee appears to be our go-to strategy, and I’m a big fan of the versatility it brings. It’s become routine to see Mahomes spreading the ball around, exemplified by his impressive 9/9 completion record to 9 different receivers.
The recent news about Justyn Ross is disheartening. He’s a player who held so much promise and potential, but his career has been derailed by injuries and some unfortunate choices. This development might signal the end of his time in KC, but we’ll have to monitor how the situation unfolds to know for sure.
Trade Deadline:
In light of the developments regarding Ross, it might actually be a positive turn of events for Sky Moore. I had observed his stock declining rapidly, especially with the return of Mecole Hardman, which creates a potential redundancy. Moore’s inability to contribute as a punt returner, kick returner, and ongoing issues with drops are concerns.
While I’m willing to let this situation evolve, I believe it would be wise to explore trade options for Moore this week if there’s an opportunity to secure a late-round draft pick.
Week 8 Prediction:
The Chiefs open as 8.5-point favorites against the Broncos, with this being their second meeting in just 18 days. Looking at the eye test and the statistics, it’s difficult to envision the Broncos pulling off a win. I anticipate that this line will likely move to a 10-point spread by the end of the week.
My prediction for this game is a Chiefs victory, with a final score of 28-20. I expect a dominant first half from the Chiefs, followed by an increased use of depth as the game progresses, allowing the Broncos to make a late push and potentially cover the spread in the fourth quarter. The absence of Nick Bolton on crucial third downs may be a significant factor in the game, but I believe Justin Reid will step up and take on a leadership role on the defense. This win would improve the Chiefs’ record to an impressive 7-1.