Arrowheadlines: NFL.com panel names Patrick Mahomes midseason MVP

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Baker Mayfield: Patrick Mahomes ‘Should Have’ Been No. 1 Over Teammate Myles Garrett | Newsweek

While it’s likely he only intended to praise Mahomes, his upcoming opponent in Sunday’s matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, it’s likely to be viewed by many as a slight to teammate Myles Garrett, who was the actual No. 1 pick by the Browns in 2017.

2018 NFL midseason predictions: MVP, Rookie of the Year, more | NFL

Most Valuable Player

1. Patrick Mahomes (10 votes: Battista, Bush, Carr, Chadiha, Hanzus, Harrison, Jeremiah, Rank, Schein, Shook)

Best WR in NFL or not, Tyreek Hill is plenty good enough for Chiefs | ESPN

If statistics are the criteria for determining the NFL’s best receiver, Hill wouldn’t qualify. He isn’t in the top five in catches (44), yards (705) or yards per catch (16.0), though he is tied for second in receiving touchdowns (seven).

Projected final win totals for 2018: Rams, Chiefs riding high | NFL

CHIEFS: 12.8 wins

Current record: 7-1. Projected playoff percentage: 99.9.

If they can hold their current pace, the Chiefs will produce the highest rates of offensive diversity and combined efficiency at the running back, tight end and wide receiver positions in my model’s history. So far, Kansas City has been able to outpace its defensive inefficiencies. The Chiefs’ defense has given up the most big plays per game (9.3), and it’s possible that this ineffectiveness, by forcing Patrick Mahomes to learn more offensive plays in high-pressure situations, helped accelerate his learning curve.

Seven Single-Season NFL Records Are Up for Grabs in 2018. Which Are Most Likely to Be Broken? | The Ringer

Passing Touchdowns

Current Record Holder: Peyton Manning (55, 2013)

2018 Contender: Patrick Mahomes II (26, on pace for 52)

Halloween curses: Who are NFL’s most haunted teams, players? | USA Today

AFL Super Bowl ‘champs’:

The Chiefs and Jets represented the AFL in three of those “Super Bowls,” with New York winning a landmark affair by shocking the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III, and Kansas City crushing the Vikings the next year. Yet neither the Jets nor Chiefs have ever returned to the Super stage.

Gregg Williams: Myles Garrett’s criticism a ‘non-issue’ | NFL

With Garrett’s comments effectively in the rearview mirror, the Browns have a larger task on hand leading to Sunday.

Williams, who will retain his responsibilities as defensive coordinator, now has to devise a plan to slow down the Chiefs, owners of the league’s third-ranked offense and No. 1 scoring offense.

Chiefs fans have created some great memes of Kareem Hunt hurdling things | Kansas City Star

In the Chiefs’ 30-23 win over the Broncos on Sunday, running back Kareem Hunt went airborne again, hurdling a Denver defensive player. It was the third time this season that Hunt had leaped over an opponent.

Pittsburgh shooting hit ‘close to home’ for Chiefs’ Jewish lineman, Mitchell Schwartz | Kansas City Star

Chiefs tackle Mitchell Schwartz, who is Jewish, added his condolences on Wednesday, the first opportunity Chiefs players had to speak publicly since Sunday’s game.

“It’s always such a sad situation anytime there is violence and people are dying or getting hurt,” Schwartz said. “This one hits a little more close to home for me, being in the Jewish community. It’s just sad to see. It seems like these things are more prevalent these days.”

Around the league

6 winners and 4 losers following the NFL trade deadline | SB Nation

The NFL trade deadline saw considerable action as two wide receivers, a running back, a safety, and an edge rusher were dealt on Tuesday.

Another Down Year for Receivers in the NFL Draft | Sports Illustrated

The MMQB polled five team scouts who all agreed that there isn’t a stud receiver in the 2019 class, a second straight down year at the position. One evaluator (who doesn’t work for the Cowboys) believes the trade made sense because none of the draft’s receivers measure up to Cooper.

Ranking the NFL’s Top Defenses in 2018 | Bleacher Report

The NFL’s scoring average has hovered around 19-21 points for the better part of the Super Bowl era, but that number has ballooned this season to 24.2, which would be an all-time record if it stands.

Playing defense is harder than ever due to numerous factors, including offense-friendly rule changes, innovative offenses and rocket-armed quarterbacks. However, a few teams still have solid defenses.

Raiders’ locker room relieved after quiet NFL trade deadline | NBC Sports

The Raiders made players available just before Tuesday afternoon’s trading deadline. Derek Carr and Greg Olson spoke at the podium before most reporters entered for an open locker room period. The place was a ghost town.

Bill Belichick: Running back position is ‘a concern’ | NFL

“We just got back a few hours ago, so we’ll kind or recalibrate here and see where we’re at relative to who’s available and how we want to structure our game plan and what we want to do there,” Belichick said, via NBC Sports Boston. “That’s one of the things we’re going through (Tuesday). But it’s a consideration, and I’d say it’s a concern.”

Division II players hardly second-rate in NFL | Star Tribune

Yes, it is quite the story. But look around the NFL and you’ll find that Mr. Mankato is but the lead chapter being written by Division II players on NFL teams with winning records.

In case you missed it at Arrowhead Pride

Chiefs held steady at trade deadline but hosting former Raiders safety

This morning, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport put this tweet out into the Twittersphere:

“The #Chiefs stood pat during the trade deadline, but may not be done adding. Source said they are getting a visit from former #Raiders safety Obi Melifonwu as they wait for Eric Berry to return.”

Film Review: Why Dee Ford has suddenly become the real deal

Going into his second season, Ford was still a backup but showed some improvement to his pass-rush technique. He was still not playing with good strength, base or a variety of pass rush techniques but his bread and butter explosion off the line of scrimmage was starting to connect at the NFL level.

Daniel Sorensen eligible to return to the lineup this week

Kansas City Chiefs safety Daniel Sorensen is eligible to return from injured reserve to the lineup against the Cleveland Browns this Sunday now that the first eight weeks of the season have passed.

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