Arrowheadlines: Chiefs need to avoid classic “trap game” against Raiders

The latest

It’s a trap! Chiefs return from bye trying to avoid pitfall in Oakland | ESPN

The two Chiefs’ defeats in Oakland under coach Andy Reid happened in Thursday night games. This time, the Chiefs won’t have the disadvantage of traveling during a short week. The Chiefs haven’t played since a Nov. 19 loss at the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football in Week 11.

NFL DFS, Week 13: Top DraftKings, FanDuel daily fantasy football picks and lineups | CBS Sports

Hunt is the workhorse in one of the league’s most explosive offenses. He’s averaging 17 carries per game and his usage as a receiver has increased in recent weeks, as he’s averaged 3.5 catches over the last six weeks, scoring nine total touchdowns during that span.

This week, Hunt faces an overmatched Raiders defense that is dead last in the league against the run. Gus Edwards (23-118), Marlon Mack (25-132-2) and David Johnson (25-137) are just a few of the backs who have gone off against the Raiders, so lock in Hunt with confidence this week.

Sorting the cluttered, chaotic AFC playoff sprint with five weeks left | ESPN

1. Kansas City Chiefs (9-2)

FPI playoff chances: 99.9 percent

The Chiefs haven’t technically clinched a spot yet, but they would still be a likely wild card if they lost out. It’s not going to happen. They still have a home-and-home to come with the Raiders, and given that the road game is the Andy Reid bye week special, I don’t like Oakland’s chances of coming away with a split. Sweeping the Raiders and throwing in one more victory over the Ravens, Chargers or Seahawks would essentially lock up a week off for the Chiefs in January.

Finding the next Patrick Mahomes: Developing the stars of the future | KCTV5

Whenever the Chiefs take the field, the spotlight shines on quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The first-year starter is being called a “generational talent,” but, is it possible that his eventual successor is hiding right here in plain sight.

Drew Brees and Patrick Mahomes are Way Out Front in MVP Race | The Big Lead

Drew Brees has shot in the lead, as the Saints lead the league in points and wins, and he is in the top two in every category except YPA. Mahomes is still lurking there with the lead in touchdowns and TD rate, and could still finish near the top of the league in team record and points.

Airshare lets you travel like a Chief [PHOTOS] | Kansas City Business Journal

The company originally focused on business travel but has a growing leisure travel business. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ family uses the service to travel to Kansas City for games. Mahomes announced an endorsement deal with Airshare in June.

4th and 1: The Playoff Ready Guide | 41 KSHB

The Chiefs need to spend the next five weeks treating their games as dress rehearsals for the playoffs. Kansas City must begin to form their playoff mindset. The team has most of the resources it needs to succeed for a playoff run but the defensive coaching staff must alter its predictability through self-scouting during the bye week.

Raiders.com Mailbag: Discussing the Kansas City offense, My Cause, My Cleats | Raiders.com

In all seriousness though, we know that the Chiefs can put up points in a hurry – they average 36.7 points per game – and the Raiders will have to find a way to keep them out of the end zone as much as possible if they want to upset their AFC West rivals.

Former Chiefs QB could be returning to football in new league | Kansas City Business Journal

Murray was drafted by the Chiefs in 2014 after a record-breaking career at UGA in which he became the SEC’s all-time leading passer. The Tampa, Fla., native played with the Chiefs for two seasons from 2014-15 working with Legends head coach Brad Childress before being released ahead of the 2016 season.

Around the league

Ravens plan to start Lamar Jackson vs. Falcons on Sunday | NFL

The Ravens plan to start Jackson against the Falcons this Sunday, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported, via sources informed of the situation.

This doesn’t necessarily mean, however, that the coaching staff is prepared to hand the reigns over to Jackson for the remainder of the season.

Rating the job security of every NFL head coach: Who’s on thin ice? | ESPN

The Browns have already let go of Hue Jackson, but Cleveland won’t be the only team to ditch its head coach this year. In fact, there have been at least six NFL head-coaching changes every year since 2011.

Which teams are most likely to hit the reset button for 2019? NFL Nation reporters took the temperature of the league, rating the job security of every head coach using the following scale:

Las Vegas will be keeping a close eye on these NFL teams | New York Post

“Baltimore has a good chance of being a playoff team,” Murray said. “Harbaugh is such an excellent coach, he’ll put Jackson in a position to succeed. But we don’t know if Jackson can throw the ball. I think the Ravens are one of the toughest teams to handicap in the final month because you don’t know what you’re getting from the quarterback.”

What we learned: How the NFL’s best rookies stack up | ESPN

Giants running back Saquon Barkley is on pace for 2,051 scrimmage yards and 17 touchdowns. His numbers are in Todd Gurley/Ezekiel Elliott territory. Only the explosion of the sun can keep Barkley from winning this award. He’s a complete monster and he deserves it.

However, just because Barkley has run away with this thing before December doesn’t mean there aren’t other rookies worthy of attention.

Big Ben says he’s ‘not going to worry about’ INTs | NFL

“I’m a quarterback that is going to go out and sling it,” Big Ben said Tuesday on 93.7 The Fan. “I’m not going to worry about interceptions. I hate doing them, they bother me. But I’m going to go out and play my game and try and help us win football games. Basketball right, you miss threes. Do they stop shooting? No, because you trust yourself.”

Reuben Foster claimed by Redskins, put on commissioner’s exempt list | ESPN

The Washington Redskins claimed linebacker Reuben Foster off waivers from the San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday, three days after he was arrested on a charge of misdemeanor domestic violence.

In case you missed it at Arrowhead Pride

Eric Berry has reported to Chiefs facility with “intent to practice” this week, new report says

Berry reporting to the facility isn’t all that new—we have seen him around the building almost every week. But the intent for Berry to practice is very new. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid will address the media once again on Wednesday at 11:40 Arrowhead Time.

Updated Chiefs playoff picture: post-MNF edition

The Chiefs control their own destiny. Since they lead every other team in the conference by at least one game, winning the next five games — at Raiders, Ravens, Chargers, at Seahawks and Raiders — will give them the number one seed.

Here’s how the Chiefs clinch a playoff berth this weekend

So it’s not that likely. But it is still a testament to the Chiefs that it is possible to clinch a berth with five more games to play.

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