Chiefs-Bears: game preview

On this week’s game preview edition of the Arrowhead Pride Laboratory, we talked about three points on offense — and three on defense — to watch as the Kansas City Chiefs travel to the Windy City for Sunday Night Football against the Chicago Bears.

Offense

Keeping the train rolling

For the Chiefs, things are starting to pick up offensively at the right time. Patrick Mahomes and the offense showed some of their explosive capabilities against the Denver Broncos. If they can continue to build on that success against a good Bears defense on the road, confidence should grow in the building — and among fans — that this team is the most dangerous in the AFC.

Attacking under-performing cornerbacks

The Chiefs once coveted Kyle Fuller. While he’s still a good player, he isn’t having his best season, allowing more production than he has in previous years. Fellow cornerback Prince Amukamara has shown up on the injury report as a limited participant with a hamstring injury. The Chiefs should have the advantage on the outside if the offensive line can hold up long enough for Mahomes to get the ball to his receivers.

Running back decisions

Damien WIlliams has returned to practice to further muddle the Chiefs’ situation at running back. With Spencer Ware now in the mix and playing well, it’s likely that someone like Williams or LeSean McCoy will be inactive. Darwin Thompson contributes on special teams, so that should help his chances of playing on Sunday. How this situation shakes out will be fascinating.

Defense

Matt Nagy

Andy Reid’s protege is one season removed from being named the NFL’s coach of the year, but it’s been a rocky road for his football team this year. The Bears offense has largely been hamstrung by quarterback Mitchell Trubisky; based on his play-calling, it appears Nagy doesn’t trust him. Nagy is simplifying some his calls to help give Trubisky easy throws so his weapons can make a play for him. But against his old team on Sunday, expect Nagy to have a few tricks up his sleeves.

Pressuring Trubisky

The offensive line for the Bears is poor. If there was ever a good week to introduce Terrell Suggs to Kansas City, this is it. Pressure with four up front should be able to get home. Chris Jones, Frank Clark and Suggs will get some opportunities to impact the game. If they do, it’ll go a long way toward the Chiefs getting a win in Chicago.

Cohen, Miller and Robinson

Last week against the Green Bay Packers, Allen Robinson (125 yards), Anthony Miller (118) and Tarik Cohen (57) accounted for 300 receiving yards. Trubisky has been up and down, but his primary targets are talented and can make you pay. The Chiefs will need to be mindful of that going into the game. Regardless of who’s throwing the ball, the Bears’ offensive weapons demand respect.

Arrowhead Pride Laboratory

We went into further detail on these storylines — and listed players we’re looking forward to watching — on this week’s game preview edition of the Arrowhead Pride Laboratory.