Kansas CIty Chiefs

Chiefs-Rams — Tale of the Tape

Usually, this column for the Monday Night game is a breakdown of the game with a strong emphasis on fantasy football. This upcoming matchup, a possible Super Bowl preview, is going to take a different approach. Below is the tale of the tape comparing the Chiefs and the Rams. Oh, and for fantasy purposes, make sure you get every possible player from this game in your lineup that you can…it is that simple.

Quarterback

Obviously, Jared Goff and Patrick Mahomes benefit a great deal from their respective situations. There will be more about that later of course. But which of these two is the better player right now? Goff absolutely is living up to his first overall pick in the draft status and continues to improve. More is on his plate this year and he is running with it. But the edge here goes to Mahomes. Both quarterbacks are poised beyond their years and are clearly excelling as they lead two elite offenses, but there is more of a wow factor with Mahomes and his pure talents gives him the edge here.

Edge: Chiefs

Running Back

Subscriber-Only Content

We’re sorry, but you must be a subscriber to view this content. No worries– we got you covered!

Sign up for a FREE 7-day trial to see why Clayton Football is a must-have for diehard fans, fantasy players and gamblers.

If you already have a subscription please log in to view this content.

Already a subscriber? Log In

Keys to Consider about NFL’s Location switch of Rams-Chiefs

The NFL often doesn’t do the right thing. Or, if it does end up on the correct side of common sense and kindness, it takes a while.

Remember the whole custom cleat fiasco of a couple of years ago the league finally got right after it stumbled over itself and created a public relation disaster? The league was heading down that familiar rabbit hole again, but Tuesday it saved itself.

The premier game of this NFL season, between the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams, will be played in L.A. on Monday Night and not in Mexico City. The playing field in Mexico City is clearly unplayable and there were reports of players from both teams not being comfortable with the conditions.

Now, that the game will be played in Los Angeles, here are some keys to consider:

Rams may have bigger hassle than Chiefs: The Rams are the home team, but they are the team that has to scramble right away. The Rams flew to Colorado Springs, Colorado on Monday to acclimate for the intense altitude of Mexico City. The Rams will stay away from home because they are already immersed in the work week. Thus, they have unneeded travel. It will be a very hectic and tiresome week of the Rams. NFL coaches and players are creatures of habit. The Rams’ week has been pushed into upheaval for the second straight week. Last week, practice was affected by the fires near their facility. The Chiefs will have to adjust some, but their travel plans will not be altered and frankly, the Chiefs would likely very much rather play in L.A. than in Mexico City even if it’s a true Rams’ home game.

Mexico needs to be reconsidered: The NFL loves its international presence. That’s why there are going to more games in London. It ii a cash cow for the league. The NFL has been a huge success the past two years in Mexico City. But the stadium is subpar and there have been some complications. The folks in charge of the stadium knew this game was coming and it allowed other events to ruin the field without any urgency to fix it. Unless an alternate site is arranged, the NFL may have to halt or postpone future plans to play in Mexico City. In the end, the Rams-Chiefs will meet Monday in a safe environment for the players, but getting to this point has been an unnecessary hassle.

Dee Ford Is This Year’s Demarcus Lawrence

Dee Ford is following in Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence’s footsteps. The Kansas City Chiefs’ outside linebacker has Lawrence’s impeccable timing.

Ford is an edge rusher having a breakout season with an expiring contract following an injury plagued year.

Lawrence’s 6.5 sacks in the first three games of the 2017 season resulted in him being named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for September. Limited to nine games in 2016 because of a four-game suspension under the NFL’s substance abuse policy and a back injury that required surgery, the 2014 second round pick (34th overall) had one sack in 2016. It was the second straight offseason where Lawrence had back surgery.

Subscriber-Only Content

We’re sorry, but you must be a subscriber to view this content. No worries– we got you covered!

Sign up for a FREE 7-day trial to see why Clayton Football is a must-have for diehard fans, fantasy players and gamblers.

If you already have a subscription please log in to view this content.

Already a subscriber? Log In

Fantasy Saturday — Will Chiefs Lose Firepower

Fantasy Injury Impact

Washington at Tampa Bay

Washington’s Decimated Offensive Line

Even with a healthy offensive line, which Washington’s certainly is not, the Redskins offense had to play a certain way. This is a team that can’t afford to get down by multiple scores because they need to run the ball in a very traditional fashion with Adrian Peterson. Alex Smith isn’t a risk taker and this group of receivers is really lackluster. Chris Thompson is also unlikely to play, which not only put more on Peterson’s shoulders but also gives Smith one less weapon to use to keep up with an excellent Buccaneers offense. The Bucs score points on everyone and should do so once again at home in this matchup. As a result, Washington is likely to move away from Peterson sooner than later and even though the Buccaneers defensive line is not a high-end unit, there are some very talented players in the group. Not only is Peterson a poor start this week, but Smith and company are unlikely to rack up fantasy points in the passing game even while trying to keep up with Tampa Bay. The wheels might be off of Washington’s offense.

Subscriber-Only Content

We’re sorry, but you must be a subscriber to view this content. No worries– we got you covered!

Sign up for a FREE 7-day trial to see why Clayton Football is a must-have for diehard fans, fantasy players and gamblers.

If you already have a subscription please log in to view this content.

Already a subscriber? Log In

Fantasy Fact or Fiction — Don’t Sleep on Kareem Hunt

Below are several fantasy players whose production stuck out in Week 7 in either a positive or negative manner. Let’s examine if that trend will keep up or if it was just a blip on the radar.

Kareem Hunt

Week 7 Stat Line: 15 Carries for 86 Rushing Yards and 1 Touchdown, 5 Receptions for 55 Receiving Yards and 2 Touchdowns

Fact or Fiction? Fact

Hunt was likely a firs-round pick in your league and is on an elite offense. Yet, he began the season slow for fantasy as Patrick Mahomes was throwing touchdown passes at a remarkable rate and Kansas City was not scoring via Hunt.

Subscriber-Only Content

We’re sorry, but you must be a subscriber to view this content. No worries– we got you covered!

Sign up for a FREE 7-day trial to see why Clayton Football is a must-have for diehard fans, fantasy players and gamblers.

If you already have a subscription please log in to view this content.

Already a subscriber? Log In

There is Clear Threat in AFC to Patriots and Chiefs

The Patriots narrow Sunday Night victory over Kansas City in Foxboro was one for the ages. These look like the clear top two teams in an AFC Conference that looks far more respectable now than it did to open the season. It may even be the superior conference right now.

If we put New England and Kansas City in the top tier of AFC franchises right now and at this point, that is a safe assumption to make, which franchise or franchises belong right behind the Patriots and Chiefs?

Unlike in the NFC, the second tier in the AFC looks just as clear as tier one. Four teams make up this group: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Los Angeles and Pittsburgh.

Subscriber-Only Content

We’re sorry, but you must be a subscriber to view this content. No worries– we got you covered!

Sign up for a FREE 7-day trial to see why Clayton Football is a must-have for diehard fans, fantasy players and gamblers.

If you already have a subscription please log in to view this content.

Already a subscriber? Log In

Clayton Injury Friday – Chiefs Will Miss Justin Houston at New England

Probably the most concerning news on the injury report Friday was in Kansas City.

The Chiefs expected Eric Berry to miss the game against New England, but having linebacker Justin Houston on the report as doubtful with a hamstring is even more concerning. Houston is their pass rush. It’s that simple.

Subscriber-Only Content

We’re sorry, but you must be a subscriber to view this content. No worries– we got you covered!

Sign up for a FREE 7-day trial to see why Clayton Football is a must-have for diehard fans, fantasy players and gamblers.

If you already have a subscription please log in to view this content.

Already a subscriber? Log In

Game of Week – Why Patriots Will Tame Red-Hot Chiefs

Kansas City at New England

Spread: Patriots -3.5

When Kansas City Has The Ball:

The two games during Bill Belichick’s amazing tenure as the Patriots head coach in which his team allowed the most yardage both occurred during the 2017 season: The first game of the year against the Chiefs and the Super Bowl loss to the Eagles, two extremely similar offensive schemes.

Subscriber-Only Content

We’re sorry, but you must be a subscriber to view this content. No worries– we got you covered!

Sign up for a FREE 7-day trial to see why Clayton Football is a must-have for diehard fans, fantasy players and gamblers.

If you already have a subscription please log in to view this content.

Already a subscriber? Log In

Transaction Wednesday: Undefeated Chiefs Taking Some Injury Hits

In our weekly look at transactions, there was some heavy prices paid in the Kansas City Chiefs 30-14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Chiefs lost guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif with a fractured tibia. He might be able to return in eight weeks, but losing a quality guard is a blow to the hottest team in the AFC. Safety Armani Watts joined him on the injured reserve list because of a groin injury.

Andy Reid brought back linebacker Frank Zombo, but they have major holes at the safety position. Technically, they are done three safeties. Watts is on injured reserve along with Daniel Sorensen. Eric Berry hasn’t played this year because of a bone spur type problem in his recovering Achilles tendon. Jordan Lucas filled in for Watts Sunday. Watts had been filling in for Eric Murray, who left the Jaguars game with an ankle injury.

Subscriber-Only Content

We’re sorry, but you must be a subscriber to view this content. No worries– we got you covered!

Sign up for a FREE 7-day trial to see why Clayton Football is a must-have for diehard fans, fantasy players and gamblers.

If you already have a subscription please log in to view this content.

Already a subscriber? Log In

Game of Week: Can Jalen Ramsey, Jags Slow Patrick Mahomes Train?

As much as you can possibly find in today’s NFL, this is just a supreme case of strength vs. strength and this collision should make for an exceptional football game. The Jaguars defense is allowing the fewest first downs per game while Kansas City’s offense is producing the most first downs on a per game basis. Jacksonville’s defense has only created two turnovers this year, but they remain an elite unit and are most difficult defense in the league to score touchdowns against. It could be argued that they are playing better in 2018 than last year, but Patrick Mahomes has done a terrific job of valuing the football while still making big play after big play. In their Seahawks-like Cover 3 scheme, the Jaguars will play mostly zone coverage, won’t likely travel their cornerbacks, featuring super-stud Jalen Ramsey, and are schematically reliant on their great pass-rush and speed and athleticism across the board. The Chiefs offensive line is at a disadvantage in this game, but they should hold their own better than most of Jacksonville’s opponents. Mahomes saw a very similar style of defense in Week 1 against the Chargers (who didn’t have Joey Bosa) and should have a very good feel for what he is seeing. Andy Reid should be able to create major schematic advantages against the predictable coverages Mahomes will be facing.

Subscriber-Only Content

We’re sorry, but you must be a subscriber to view this content. No worries– we got you covered!

Sign up for a FREE 7-day trial to see why Clayton Football is a must-have for diehard fans, fantasy players and gamblers.

If you already have a subscription please log in to view this content.

Already a subscriber? Log In