On Friday, Laddie Morse published a piece called, “What the Chiefs Have to Say” after the loss at Baltimore. Enough has been written and the plaintiffs made their best case about how poorly the Chiefs played versus the Ravens. Time to move on. Learning from history is one thing. Applying lessons from what you learned in the past is what we are looking to see. I did take to heart Jarran Reed’s comments and fully believe in the Chiefs defense, about which I was highly critical in my own post-game loss article, but Reed admonished, “We’ve got to get back to fundamentals.” Indeed.
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We Go From Here to the Chargers on CBS
Let’s examine the offense first because it is an accomplished and highly valued side of the ball. The same suspects will be in play and Patrick Mahomes, our elite quarterback, will lead the way. Last week he flummoxed a pass while in the grasp and that resulted in his first interception of the year. I don’t think that Patrick did anything but shake that dog off, even as the game was being played out. What week two showed me was that Mahomes can get his second-tier receivers involved. Hardman, Pringle, and Robinson all played key roles for the offense while the Ravens focused on taking away the option of getting the ball to Tyreek Hill. At the same time, Travis Kelce did his usual great job of moving the chains and scoring, and he has now been the fastest TE getting to the 8,000-yard earmark, quite an accomplishment.
This bodes well for the Chiefs as Mahomes exploits and uses the “tools” at his disposal. The Chiefs offense will be successful regardless of the opponent. The one thing we’d all want to see is our feature back, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, emerge in a game and dominate on the ground.
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How Will the Chargers Counter?
As much as we are depending on the newly constituted Offensive Line, the Chargers Defensive Front has a tough mission despite the list of completely new faces opposing them. As I understand their situation, Joey Bosa has shown up on their injury report. Even so, I expect him to play on today. The Chargers IDL is having a “must show” game especially after being dominated by the Cowboys OL. It’s going to be a battle in the trenches between two opposing forces.
The Chargers are going to depend a lot on their own version of Tyrann Mathieu: Derwin James. James is used much the same as Spagnuolo uses Tyrann, who lines up all over their defense, playing up in the box, CB and Safety. I know from readings of their sites and fan pages, that the Chargers are going to pit James against Kelce on a predominate number of snaps, hoping to take away Kelce’s constant barrage against opposing DB’s. It’s clear that LB’s are no match for Kelce’s speed and moves. he moves the chains. If the past two weeks are anything of a guide, the Chargers will use a pair of safeties at the back-end of the defense, or some hybrid looks because they might focus the attention of James on Kelce. Derwin James was held out of Wednesday’s practice but Staley made a point to explain to the press that holding both Bosa and James out of that first practice was precautionary. Both players will play today.
Charger’s HC Brandon Staley has his work cut out for him when trying to figure out how to defend against the Chiefs. They have successfully mounted a pass rush that has limited the opposing aerial game to less than 200 YPG. That faces the Mahomes-led aerial attack which is averaging 333 YPG. This will be an interesting match-up. If the Chargers can take away Kelce and the deep ball — which I can’t see that happening — then they have a shot at giving their QB Justin Herbert the ball more frequently. Then it is going to be up to Herbert to hold the ball to win ToP and score Touchdowns while the defense shuts down both Kelce and HIll.
I do not believe they will accomplish that task.
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The Charged Up Herbert Offense
I think the one thing you can say is that as Herbert gets more and more experience, he is emerging as an elite QB in the NFL. At the same time, his style of play is more “stationary” as a pocket-type passer. His throws are in the quicker intermediate range of passes, for example, 15-20 yards is where he has seen the greatest success.
The Chargers boast a potent RB in Austin Ekeler. He is a dangerous runner and pass-catching running back which adds to the dimension of the Chargers ability to move the chains. I truly like Austin and love to watch him play. Ekeler is a multi-dimensional threat and he will be used to exploit the K.C. Defense which ranks last against the run, giving up 404 yards on the ground after two games. Can you imagine Austin salivating at the prospect? If the Chief’s defense can be exploited on the ground, then the Chargers are deep enough at RB to pose a significant threat with both Justin Jackson and Larry Roundtree out of the backfield as depth players. Both are capable ground game RB’s.
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Wishing for a Show of Front Four Power by the Chiefs
We all have been witness to how much our opponent’s ground game has hurt the Chiefs in the first two weeks. The key for the Chiefs is going to be defending between the 7-hole on the left and the 8-hole on the right. If the Chiefs IDL can establish control of the LoS, while both Clark and Jones set the edge, the Chiefs should be forcing the Chargers to the aerial game. Getting the Chargers to 2nd-and-long should be an advantage for the Chiefs. It is here on passing downs that I think the Chiefs defense has the advantage. It’s especially true that Justin Herbert is a pocket passing QB. and this gives the pass rush a less mobile target to hurry, hit, or sack. With an early lead, it should end up being a good game for the defense.
The IDL consisting of Reed, Nnadi, and Wharton must counter the blocks of a good Charger offensive line, and the LB’s fill to the gaps. Clean, simple, fundamental football.
Though I truly wish that Willie Gay was available for this contest, he won’t be back at least until week 4. On the other hand, Anthony Hitchens should be able to set up the called defense more readily with Nick Bolton having an even better game than the first week. If that’s the case, it will be up to the CB’s and Tyrann Mathieu and/or Juan Thornhill and Daniel Sorensen to support stopping the run.
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Advantage Chiefs? Uncle You Bet!
I am not taking highly the capability of this Chargers team. The Chiefs have yet to play a complete game on both sides of the ball. Still, the Mahomes-led offense should shine this week. This is how it sets up this week:
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- Since 2015, how often have the Chiefs lost 2 games in a row?
- Also, the Chiefs are playing at Arrowhead and the crowd should really crank the volume up for what I hope is a record-setting performance by the fans.
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My score prediction is 34-21 Chiefs. What do you think?
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Arrowhead Weather Today
If you’re tailgating, weather is looking perfect prior to te game! Game time is high noon, CDT.
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GO CHIEFS!
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David Bell — ArrowheadOne
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