Quarters: Chiefs Schedule in Four Pieces: 3rd Q

Quarters: Chiefs Schedule in Four Pieces: 3rd Q – The Kansas City Chiefs enter the third quarter of their season coming off back-to-back wins. After a match-up with the rebuilding Carolina Panthers, K.C. has a Bye Week, before heading to Las Vegas for the first time, to face the relocated Raiders. In one of the more touted matchups of the year, K.C. will travel, once again, to their next opponent: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Finally, Chiefs will head back to Arrowhead for their second game of the season against their division rival, Denver Broncos. The Baltimore Ravens have a relatively easy schedule. With just one Playoff Bye per conference this year, the Chiefs can’t afford any slip ups.

Week 9: vs Carolina Panthers

The Panthers are a team in flux, who have primarily focused on their defense this off-season. On Offense, they have one star player in Christian McCaffrey. The flow of the game will largely depend on the Chiefs ability to stop him. If Steve Spagnuolo can hold the Panther’s offense in check, this shouldn’t be much of a game. Chiefs win.

Key Player: Alex Okafor

The Panthers Offensive Line is, at best, a work in progress. Frank Clark, as the primary threat, will draw a lot of attention. On the opposite side, it will be up to Alex Okafor to set a hard edge. While no one can keep McCaffery in check forever, setting the edge can help K.C. eliminate a lot of explosive plays from the league’s best Running Back. Okafor should also get some good opportunities to rush the passer. With a contract that would make him easy to cut, in 2021, performing in games like this one, will be key to his success moving forward.

Week 10: Bye Week

Week 11: @ Oakland Raiders

The first go round, this wasn’t much of a contest. This time, Raiders will be playing in their home stadium. This late in the season, they will be at the top of their game. Expect a scrappy match that remains close, heading into the 4^th Quarter, before the Chiefs ultimately pull ahead and come out with the win.

Key Player: L’Jarius Sneed

This is about the point in the season where we could expect to start seeing significant contributions, from Sneed. His speed and length will prove instrumental, in containing speedy Henry Ruggs, a guy I expect the Raiders to get the ball to with quick passes and jet sweeps. Sneed may also be called upon to handle Darren Waller in coverage, or stop Josh Jacobs, coming around the edge. If Sneed can prove a sure tackler, the Raiders will find themselves facing longer 3^rd downs. That’s not a situation where Derek Carr has thrived, in the past.

Week 12: @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Much of the attention has fallen on Tom Brady and a relatively loaded offense. What fans may not know is that the Bucs have an excellent defense, as well, under Defensive Coordinator, former Head Coach, and Andy Reid disciple, Todd Bowles. Chiefs will have to play a complete game to come away with the win here. The offense must come in polished and take what they can get. The defense needs to limit Brady, under Bruce Arians, and their excellent receiving core. K.C. wins a nail biter on the road.

Key Player: Chris Jones

Tom Brady will have the best supporting cast he’s had in years, but his mobility remains minimal. Chris Jones can absolutely wreck this game, by getting pressure up the middle. Sacks, batted balls, and just moving Brady off his spot will be key to containing the Bucs. If Arians continues to run his traditional offense, Brady will be holding on to the ball longer. Chris Jones needs to make the most of that opportunity for Chiefs to come away with the win.

Week 13: vs Denver Broncos

The Chiefs finish the 3^rd Quarter the same way they finished the 2^nd… facing the Denver Broncos. Only this time, in Arrowhead. There’s certainly some hope that fans could be filling the stands by then, providing the Chiefs with a significant advantage. Denver will come prepared for a fight though. Drew Lock and his weapons should be on the same page by then. While the Chiefs will ultimately come away with the win, this one winds up feeling a lot closer than the first match-up, despite being played in arrowhead.

Key Player: Sammy Watkins

After getting torched by Travis Kelce in the first game, Broncos will pull out all the stops to slow him down. Tyreek Hill will still be a major concern for them as well. Enter Sammy Watkins. In a contract year, Watkins will pull out all the stops against Denver, looking for this game, like the elite receiver he was drafted to be by the Buffalo Bills.

3rd Quarter Conclusion

The Chiefs go undefeated in the third quarter of the season despite suffering a couple close calls against the Bucs and Broncos. They maintain a tenuous grip on the one seed, with the Ravens nipping at their heels. K.C. has a death grip on the division, and are one win, vs the Chargers, away from securing another sweep. Health will be paramount, heading into the fourth quarter as the Chiefs will face a gauntlet of good defenses, before the playoffs. For the moment, all is well: Chiefs sit at a very comfortable 11-1. They look forward to the challenge of playing a Miami Dolphins team that did them a huge favor last year, by beating the New England Patriots, granting the Chiefs the two-seed.

Ransom Hawthorne — ArrowheadOne

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