This week’s prime-time action has all the makings of a trap game for the Kansas City Chiefs. After two uninspiring outings to start the season, this team needs to take this game seriously and perform at typical expectations for an Andy Reid team. I am not diminishing the fact that the Chiefs are 2-0, but they won both games by four points.
The Kansas City Chiefs have been a dominant September team with Patrick Mahomes. They have gone 17-4 since he took over as the starter from Alex Smith. So, is it fair to assume our expectations should be from previous years? Yes, we are spoiled, but we expect the most outstanding talent in the NFL to play better. He hasn’t had a 300-yard passing game this season, and running the ball hasn’t exceeded 100 yards by a single back. So far, the result has been underwhelming.
Against the Bengals, the Chiefs could have been more prolific with yards or points. Mahomes went 18-25 for 151 yards with two touchdowns to two interceptions (could’ve been three) for a pedestrian 80.6 QB rating. He was also sacked twice and dealt with four QB hits. Mahomes was running for his life on more snaps this game than anything, but he could escape and rush for 29 yards. Before losing him to a broken leg, Isaiah Pacheco could tack on 90 yards on 19 carries and another 21 receiving yards for 111 yards from scrimmage with no scores. Carson Steele added 24 yards on nine carries with no scores and fumbled away one.
With the early week addition of former Chiefs back Kareem Hunt, the running game may get a boost in the next few weeks. Until he’s ready for game action, it’ll be Steele and Samaje Perine. Left Tackle Wanya Morris had a highlight with a “Big Man” tackle-eligible reception for a score in the third set. Travis Kelce has been the disappearing man for the last two games. Hopefully, he and Mahomes can get back on the same page. This has much to do with testing play calling and highlighting the other chess pieces Andy Reid and Matt Nagy have available to them, as much as Mahomes and Kelce being out of sync.
The offensive line play could have been better. Kingsley Suamataia was benched late in the game for Wanya Morris, but the leaky left side did not help much. Line Coach Andy Heck needs help on the left side to boost the shaky start. Perhaps some veteran help inbound, but we’ll have to wait and see.
KC’s defense allowed Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow to throw for 258 yards, going 23-36 with two touchdowns, zero picks, and a 103.7 QB rating. However, he was sacked three times, and the pressure was inconsistent. Still, Burrow was hit six times, but he did escape some missed opportunities in the backfield. Yet, the defense did hold the Bengals’ rushers to just 75 yards.
Spags did dial up two plays that involved Chamarri Conner. The first was downhill pressure against Burrow, which resulted in a strip sack, fumble, and recovery by Conner, who returned it for a touchdown. The second was a timely disguised cornerback blitz that caught Cincinnati napping and ended a last-ditch effort by Head Coach Zac Tayor’s group to convert a third and long, and they were forced to punt.
Special teams were the heroes again this week. Harrison Butker provided the winning score as time expired.
In their comeback win over the Eagles on the road, Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 20 of 29 passes for 251 yards with two scores and no interceptions. He was sacked once and fumbled once, but Atlanta recovered it. Second-year Running Back Bijan Robinson was the workhorse, providing 97 yards on 14 carries. His backup, Tyler Allgeier, added another 53 yards on nine carries.
This game ended with a series of late-game blunders, and the Falcons seized the opportunity. Eagles Head Coach Nick Sirianni thought he had an instant formula to stop Cousins but admitted it didn’t work. Eagles Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio had his group underprepared for a surging Kirk Cousins-led offense. Cousins is known for playing better than his stats would lead you to think. He is a playoff-caliber QB and can embarrass a defense at times.
The Falcons’ game star was rookie Defensive Coordinator Jimmy Lake’s call for a competent defense against Philadelphia QB Jalen Hurts. They held Hurts to 183 yards passing and allowed one touchdown and a pick. They were a little leakier on rushing downs, allowing 185 yards, with Hurts taking 85 of them and one score.
Saquon Barkley provided 95 yards on 22 carries for the Eagles, but his dropped pass near the goal line with less than two minutes proved to be the opening Atlanta needed. Still, the Eagles had one more chance to win the game with a field goal, but Lake’s group held tight.
On Sunday, the Chiefs rushing attack should bode well against the Falcon’s suspect run defense. Steele, Perine, and possibly Hunt should be able to match rushing numbers with the Eagles. Will Hunt debut this week, or will Andy Reid hold him until next week at the Los Angeles Chargers?
At the heart of the offense, I expect to hear some noise from Travis Kelce this week. Reid and Nagy will level out their pass-run calls to include more than three tight-end sets that give Kelce room to maneuver. More touches for Kelce and a stout rushing attack could ignite the Chiefs offense.
My Prediction: Chiefs 31 – Falcons 21
