Week 10 – Chiefs Host Cardinals: OPEN THREAD

Week 10 – Chiefs Host Cardinals:

OPEN THREAD

by Laddie Morse | November 11, 2018

There’s nothing more frustrating than losing a game you were supposed to win. I hope that’s not where the Kansas City Chiefs are headed today. Every time I turn on the radio or read another column by the so-called experts, the Chiefs are predicted to win this game by a Grand Canyon margin. The kind of margin that makes betting on the game impossible for fans of either team to rely upon. So, how did we get here?

The Ascendance of the Chiefs Offense

Prior to this season, Chiefs fans were hopeful that new QB Patrick Mahomes II would be a long term answer and someday lead the team to a Championship. Once the team won a few games, and Mr. Mahomes blew everyone out of the water with his firebrand performances, the expectations for the Chiefs to win a championship have been escalated to NOW… instead of somewhere down the line. And why not? Mahomes has consistently played so well that he’s being mentioned in all the MVP conversations and those who have been predicting a fall for him at some point… well… they’re still waiting. Plus, by playing a team with the Arizona Cardinals (2-and-6) success rate — or lack thereof — we should not be witnessing a bad game by Mahomes this week.

The Decline of the Arizona Cardinals

Prior to this season beginning, John Buckley [Cardinals, SB Nation] of revengeofthebirds.com wrote this about the Cards, which, includes a game and record prediction:

“The Cardinals [will] come out of the bye week refreshed and only a game and a half behind the Rams in the NFC West. Unfortunately, a trip to Arrowhead Stadium awaits. The Chiefs’ second-year QB, Patrick Mahomes II, has had an up-and-down first season as a starter—lots of big plays and lots of turnovers. The trend continues against the Cardinals—he follows up an INT to Baker with a big-time TD pass to Sammy Watkins (over Jamar Taylor). The Cardinals are able to keep up, with Fitz and DJ both having nice games against the Chiefs’ underwhelming defense, but crowd noise leads to a botched potential game-winning FG attempt in the 4^th quarter, and the Chiefs ice the game with a Kareem Hunt TD on the subsequent drive. The Cardinals drop to 0-4 on the road. Cardinals lose, 27-20. Record: 4-5.”

First of all, you can see that Buckley was wrong about Patrick Mahomes… he’s been a picture of consistency throwing for more than 300 yards in his last 8 straight games, with 29 TDs and 7 INTs and maintaining a 116.7 Rating in the meantime. Mahomes counterpart, rookie Josh Rosen, has started 6 straight games and surpassed the 200 yard passing mark twice while throwing 5 TDs and 6 INTs. Rosen was considered one of the best QB prospects to surface in the 2018 draft so comparing and contrasting he and Mahomes only goes to highlight the incredible year PMII is having.

A Chance For the Defense to Right Itself?

The much maligned Kansas City Chiefs Defense — and for good reason — may have their best showing in this game. However, does that mean they will have righted-the-ship if they hold the Cards to 17 or less points? Not necessarily. While I’m hoping the D does have it’s best game of the year… get a good Flu Shot in the arm… take a Two-step Dance in the right direction… because the Cardinal’s Offense is last in both yards gained per game and points scored per game. Consequently, the pressure is on the Chiefs D… meaning… the K.C. defense better have their best game of the year or it will be even more confirmation about their own lowly status. So, today is the day to get it right. Get things fixed. Make a showing. You see, today’s game is not all about the offense alone. Not in the least.

The Golden Boy Get Golden-er

With each game this year, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes II has raised his game a level at a time. However, 5 weeks ago against the Jags, Mahomes faced the best defensive backfield in the league and threw for 313 yards but… zero passing TDs and 2 INTs. The Cards passing defense is the best defensive backfield Mahomes will have faced since the Jags came to town and currently rank #7 in the league in pass D. That’s why Kareem Hunt and Spencer Ware’s contributions will be so important. You see, the Cards rushing defense is ranked 31st in the league so using the “run-so-you-can-pass” approach is likely what the Chiefs will employ in this game. Which… should be no problem for the Chiefs offense since their rushing attack is a strength.

Predictions and Projections

Every which way you turn this game over, the Chiefs appear to come out on top. However, it’s an “On Any Given Sunday” league so an upset should not be ruled out. In any event, this game is not being played in Arizona which makes the hill for an upset even harder to climb for the Cards. Kansas City shows up big time today and forces Arizona to play “52-Cards-Pickup” by half time:

Chiefs 52, Cardinals 9.

So, what’s your prediction for this game?

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