MatthewsChiefs said

Wish I could watch the game but CBS thinks I should see commercials instead lame

Aren’t you watching the Kansas City affiliate (KCTV5)?

Kelce’s still got it!

5. The return of Kareem Hunt

Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Nearly six years since he last played for the Chiefs, it appears that Hunt will begin his journey to redemption on Sunday; he was signed to the 53-man roster this week.

He will be joined by running backs Samaje Perine and rookie Carson Steele in the backfield, giving the Chiefs a powerful trio of rushers. 87 of Steele’s 99 rushing yards this season have come after contact. Perine forced three missed tackles over nine touches in Week 3.

Last season, Hunt was used as a red-zone back for the Cleveland Browns. He scored a career-high nine touchdowns — all of them coming from inside the 20-yard line; six came in goal-to-go situations.

He also caught a touchdown pass in Cleveland’s playoff game. That’s an underrated part of what Hunt can bring to the table. It’ll be intriguing to watch him with the ball in his hands, whether it’s on a handoff or a dump-off to the flat.

3. Challenging an experienced Atlanta secondary

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The first step will be forcing more passing downs. But then the Chiefs need to smother the Chargers in those situations, in which Kansas City should always have a strong advantage.

The injuries at offensive tackle will give pass rushers Chris Jones and George Karlaftis a chance to tee off from the edge, while Danna’s injury should allow second-year defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah to get an extended opportunity. Last Sunday, he earned the first full sack of his career — and forced a fumble in the process.

The pressure may be even more impactful if backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke plays — especially for the secondary. Heinicke has thrown 28 interceptions in 29 career starts. Chiefs’ cornerback Trent McDuffie is still looking for his first career pick.

1. Creating more explosive plays

Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

The Chiefs’ offense has mostly succeeded at sustaining drives and staying ahead of the sticks this season. The unit has the league’s highest rushing success rate (56.5%) and has faced the fourth-fewest third downs.

But the offense has been clunky when finishing drives — whether that’s been from giving the ball away (the Chiefs have the fourth-highest rate of drives ending in turnovers) or stalling in the red zone: the team ranks 22nd in red-zone touchdowns.

The remedy is more explosive plays — on the ground and through the air. The backfield has only produced two rushes of 10 or more yards this season (both by Pacheco). Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is tied for the NFL’s lowest average depth of target (5.2 yards).

It’s on the scheme to help produce more big plays against a vulnerable defense — especially compared to the experienced, instinctive back ends Kansas City faced in the last two weeks.

Game Preview
from The Associated Press

Mahomes and Chiefs could be in for another close finish when they visit Chargers on Sunday

By AP
Updated Sep 26, 2024, 07:32 pm

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — — Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are 3-0, with each victory coming down to the final minute.

Based on recent history, Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers will likely produce a similar result.

Even though the Chiefs have a five-game winning streak against their AFC West rivals, seven of the 10 meetings between Mahomes and Chargers have been decided by a touchdown or less.

The Chiefs beat Baltimore and Cincinnati on the final play of each game. Last week, Nick Bolton stopped Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson on fourth down to wrap up a 22-17 win.

“Offensively, we have to help the defense out by running some of that time off the clock or scoring a touchdown to kind of put the game out of reach,” said Mahomes, who will make his 100th regular-season start on Sunday.

The last four Kansas City wins on the Chargers’ home field have been decided late, including overtime in 2020 and ’21. The Chiefs won last season’s Week 18 meeting 13-12 on Harrison Butker’s field goal with 48 seconds remaining.

Mahomes did not play in that game to prepare for the playoffs, while Chargers QB Justin Herbert was sidelined with a finger injury.

The Chargers (2-1) will try to bounce back after last week’s 20-10 loss at Pittsburgh. Herbert is dealing with a high left ankle sprain for the second straight week but is on track to play.

Herbert made his first NFL start against the Chiefs and is 2-5 against them.

The game also marks another chance for Jim Harbaugh to try and show that the Chargers are making strides in his first season.

If Los Angeles wants to contend in the AFC West, it must be better within the division. The Chargers were a division worst 23-43 from 2013 through ’23 against the Broncos, Raiders, and Chiefs.

During that same span, Kansas City has won 17 of 22, sweeping the season series seven times. The Chargers have not swept the Chiefs since 2013.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity and we’re treating it as such,” Harbaugh said when asked if this game was a litmus test for his team.

Short-handed

The Chargers could be missing at least five starters, including both offensive tackles. Left tackle Rashaun Slater (pectoral) and right tackle Joe Alt (knee) were injured at Pittsburgh. Left guard Trey Pipkins, who moved to left tackle after Slater’s injury last week, is battling a foot issue and was limited in practice on Thursday.

Offensive coordinator Greg Roman hopes Pipkins’ versatility in playing both guard and tackle can help plug holes. Jamaree Salyer and Brenden Jaimes are also expected to contribute.

“That’s why I think you got to move people around and practice,” Roman said. “Guys have different spots, and the more you can sustain that cohesive continuity, the better. But we all know it’s not always going to be that way. So, next man up.”

On defense, safety Derwin James Jr. will miss the game due to a suspension for repeated hits to defenseless receivers. Linebacker Joey Bosa has not practiced all week because of a nagging hip injury.

Defenses catching Kelce

Travis Kelce has been blanketed by opposing defenses this season, catching just eight passes for 69 yards. Some believe the soon-to-be 35-year-old Chiefs tight end has lost a step, but coach Andy Reid and Mahomes insist that defenses are simply paying more attention to him. That’s a big reason why wide receiver Rashee Rice has been so productive.

“He hasn’t lost his step and all those things,” Reid said. “People are making sure they have him taken care of.”

Hey, I know you

Kareem Hunt is expected to play for Kansas City for the first time since he was signed last week. He became a star for the Chiefs in 2018 before a video surfaced of him kicking a woman in a hotel hallway, leading to his release. Hunt then spent five years with Cleveland. The Chiefs signed him after putting Isiah Pacheco on injured reserve with a knee injury.

“Honestly, no, I didn’t think I’d end up back here,” Hunt said this week, “but it’s crazy how some things happen to work out.”

Road rules

The Chiefs have 10 straight victories against the Chargers as the road team, the longest active winning streak by a visiting squad and tied for fourth all-time.

Kansas City’s wins have occurred on four fields, including Mexico City in 2019 when the Chargers were the home team.

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