Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 10/17

Chiefs Download Podcast presented by Draft Kings: Trent Green and What to Watch For from The Mothership

CBS color announcer Trent Green joined host Pete Sweeney. Green will call Sunday's game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings at 12:00 CT on CBS. On the podcast, he offers on-the-field insight and goes through some of his favorite storylines headed into the game.

Week 6: Friday injury report from Chiefs Digest

Chiefs inside linebacker Josh Mauga (groin, Achilles) and defensive tackle Dontari Poe (ankle) are out for Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings.

Mauga, who suffered the groin injury in Week 4, will miss a second straight game after not practicing the entire week. Rookie inside linebacker Ramik Wilson is likely to make another start in place of Mauga.

Poe suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 5, but the Chiefs are in capable hands with defensive tackle Jaye Howard.

Meanwhile, outside linebacker Tamba Hali has a 50-50 chance to play Sunday after not practicing Thursday and Friday with a knee injury.

Life with no JC: Chiefs' immediate task is to avoid losing five in a row from The Associated Press via FS Kansas City

Alex Smith was 16 of 30 for a season-low 181 yards and recorded that lone touchdown pass to Thomas last Sunday. He also was sacked three times to raise his total to 21 -- second most in the NFL.

"It's not fun to be out there playing like that. We know we're so much better than that," Smith said.

A defense that allowed at least 31 points in the previous three weeks was stout until the Bears scored touchdowns on their final two drives.

"For me, there are two choices: I mean, yeah, you can let this get to you," Smith added. "We have a lot of football left. You can get sidetracked, you can get distracted, you can make excuses. Or we can all look internally, we can all stay together and we can fight."

Marcus Peters, Chiefs are moving on after pass-interference call from The Kansas City Star

After the game, Chiefs coach Andy Reid defended Peters publicly, saying he didn't agree with the call, and this week, defensive coordinator Bob Sutton did the same.

"There are calls that are just judgmental," Sutton said. "I thought Marcus played the play pretty well, I'll just leave it at that. What's tough about that call at that point is, it's at the end of the game. You try to learn how the game is being officiated as the game goes on. Sometimes it's very tight, sometimes it isn't as tight. Everybody, we all have to adjust to it."

Notebook: Chiefs' Dee Ford has chance to make plays from Chiefs Digest

"Dee got the reps this week and did a nice job with them," coach Andy Reid told reporters Friday. "He's making progress."

Ford, who is Hali's primary backup, has five tackles (four solo) on the season and comes off a Week 5 where he totaled 29 of the Chiefs' 78 defensive snaps.

"He's been getting playing time," Reid said of Ford, "so you know he's doing OK."

Chiefs' running back Charcandrick West has overcome plenty on his path to the NFL from The Kansas City Star

Jamaal Charles' replacement steps to the microphone, the camera lights shining in his face.

This is the first time Charcandrick West has been brought to the daily media session at the Chiefs' practice facility, and it's the latest sign that he has come a very long way in a short amount of time.

You'd have a hard time finding a player in the Chiefs' locker room who is happier to be here than West, a running back who has gone from undrafted free agent, to practice-squad player, to NFL starter in just 17 months. None of this good fortune is lost on him, which explains in part why he is always quick to smile, always quick to laugh, and always eager to entertain.

Chiefs LB Tamba Hali listed as questionable for Vikings game from ESPN

Hali didn't practice on Friday for the second straight day because of a sore knee, and the Chiefs listed him as questionable on the final injury report of the week.

Hali has a history of playing despite nagging injuries. Coach Andy Reid was optimistic about Hali's availability on Sunday.

Former K-State, current Vikings CB Terence Newman a model of durability from Chiefs Digest

Newman, who is in his 13th season, has withstood time since entering the league in 2003 out of Kansas State as a first-round pick (fifth overall) with the Dallas Cowboys.

The average career span for an NFL player is 3.5 years, the NFL Players Association confirmed in an email.

"I actually never set a goal for how long I'd play," Newman said in a telephone interview. "I've never really given it thought. I never really thought about being in the league for 13 years."

Chiefs' run defense will be challenged by Vikings' Adrian Peterson from The Kansas City Star

After getting gashed against the run the previous two weeks, the Chiefs' run defense fared far better against the Bears on Sunday, limiting them to 87 yards on 26 carries.

Stopping the run won't be any easier this week, however, as the Chiefs go from facing one Pro Bowl-type back — Matt Forte — to another — Minnesota's Adrian Peterson.

"Obviously, Forte is a great back and Adrian is one of the best backs going, ever, probably," defensive coordinator Bob Sutton said. "Very physical, he takes great pride in yards after contact. The speed factor, if he gets to your second or third level, it's tough — you're dealing with a guy with breakaway speed."

Vikings WR Mike Wallace probable for Chiefs game from ESPN

Wallace, who has been dealing with a sore left knee after getting hit by a helmet in the first quarter of the Vikings' Oct. 4 game against the Denver Broncos, was a full participant in practice Friday, and is listed as probable for Sunday's game. Fellow wideout Charles Johnson is questionable with strained rib cartilage, and safety Andrew Sendejo is questionable with a knee injury.

Native American groups to protest Kansas City Chiefs nickname at Vikings game from The Grand Forks Herald

Sunday's rally will be like last year's rally that drew attention to the Washington Redskins when they were in town to play the Vikings. Protesters will march to the stadium and rally there. But unlike the Redskins protest, the rally's focus will not be on the name of the Kansas City team, but the organization and its fans' antics.

The banging of a large drum that resembles a sacred drum, chief headdresses, chants and the crowd's tomahawk chop are among NCARSM's concerns.

"They don't do this to any other race of human beings," said NCARSM co-founder Clyde Bellecourt. "We're gonna declare war — declare war — on this kind of insensitivity."

Native Americans talk Redskins, $20 bill in Nashville from The Tennessean

Using Indians as sports nicknames, logos and mascots and Andrew Jackson's picture on the $20 bill are issues that have been protested by and on behalf of Native Americans...

...We asked some attending the Native American Indian Association of Tennessee's annual pow wow Friday-Sunday at Long Hunter State Park their thoughts on both issues.

NFL Week 6 predictions: Bet big on Patriots, Cardinals, Bengals, Eagles from ESPN

CHIEFS VS. VIKINGS

Kansas City: The Chiefs have one offensive touchdown in their past two games and had Jamaal Charles in their lineup for much of that time. This week, without the injured running back, they're on the road against the NFL's sixth-best scoring defense. The Vikings are allowing just 18.3 points per game. It's impossible to expect the Chiefs to score enough to overcome their own shaky defense. Vikings 30, Chiefs 16. -- Adam Teicher

Minnesota: The Chiefs and Vikings have allowed the second- and third-most pressure in the league this season, according to ESPN Stats & Information, and the game might be won by whichever team can do a better job of taking heat off its quarterback. That should be the Vikings, who can use Adrian Peterson to keep the Chiefs' pass rush at bay. Particularly if the Chiefs aren't able to establish the running game without Jamaal Charles, it could be a long day for Alex Smith. Vikings 27, Chiefs 14.-- Ben Goessling

The Playbook: A complete guide to Week 6 action around the NFL from Sports Illustrated

Kansas City's defense is about as strong as it's been in recent years, but the offense has sputtered to a dead stop under Andy Reid, and the season-ending torn ACL suffered by running back Jamaal Charles last Sunday certainly doesn't help. The carries now go to the delightfully-named Charcandrick West, the first in line to try and replace the one true franchise player the Chiefs have. An undrafted free agent out of Abilene Christian, West will try to do his thing against a very opportunistic Minnesota defense. Prediction: This will not be a great game for quarterbacks, as Teddy Bridgewater could be running for his life against Justin Houston and the Chiefs' estimable defensive line. —DF

Villaume: Plus/Minus Turnovers Key to Sunday, and Season from The Minneapolis Star Tribune

This game versus the Kansas City Chiefs is one that appears to be a lock. Jamal Charles, the elite running back who is one of a very short list of running backs who average more yards per carry in their career than Adrian Peterson, is out for the season. His replacements, Knile Davis and Charcandrick West, are not going to remind anyone of Charles, despite what television announcers may suggest.

Meanwhile, Teddy Bridgewater is 5-0-0 in his last five home starts. That has a nice ring to it, and another solid way to get the fan base behind you: win at home.

But I caution you confident fans to be wary. The Thursday Night game was a prime example. The Atlanta Falcons came into New Orleans undefeated. A powerhouse. The Saints reeling with a 1-4-0 start. New Orleans would win the turnover battle 3-0 and the game handily.

Like/Dislike: The trouble with fantasy trade offers from NFL.com

The Chiefs offense is going to be awful without Jamaal Charles. I would avoid Jeremy Maclin because of that. I know some might see it as more targets for Maclin. I see it as more three-and-outs.

NFL Week 6 Best Bets: Staying conservative, taking Pats and Vikes from CBS Sports

Vikings (- 3.5) over Chiefs: The Vikings will come out of the bye looking to make a statement and the Chiefs pretty much know their season is lost after last week's debacle, including the loss of Jamaal Charles for the season.

The Vikings can control the ball on the ground, mitigate the Chiefs' pass rush and Mike Zimmer will be able to exploit the many holes in Kansas City's offensive line. I expect Minnesota to make a push for an NFC playoff spot and I'm counting on the ability of this coaching staff to continue to bring this young team around week by week.

Former Georgia QB Aaron Murray Wears Vols Gear from All For Tennessee

It would appear that Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Aaron Murray lost a bet to fellow Chiefs quarterback Tyler Bray.

Bray, who of course played college football at Tennessee, posted a picture of Murray, a former Georgia Bulldog, wearing a Tennessee Vols shirt and shorts.

My View: There are many kinds of collectors from The Daily News

But when it came to sports trading cards, far and away my favorite was my collection of football trading cards. I had some real gems. I had a Len Dawson card from about 1972 (this was when he was playing for the Kansas City Chefs). I also had a trading card of a Len Dawson teammate, and I'm referring to the great Otis Taylor who was a magnificent receiver in his 10-year career with The Chiefs. I still don't understand as to why Otis Taylor is not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He certainly deserves it. Taylor's great career culminated in 1975 when he retired.