:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67563304/usa_today_13807050.0.jpg)
The latest
New England Patriots at Kansas City Chiefs (-7)
It’s always a treat when these two get together, even if Tom Brady isn’t a part of it anymore. The Chiefs are coming off an impressive showing at Baltimore and I think that carries over here. New England is great taking away one thing on offense, but this is an offense with many. Chiefs take it.
Pick: Chiefs 37, Patriots 24
10 Reminders of Andy Reid’s Greatness | NBC Philadelphia
3. Reid won 130 games with the Eagles and has now won 80 with the Chiefs. That makes him the only coach in NFL history to win 80 games with two teams. Shula and Mike Holmgren came close, Shula with 257 wins for Miami and 71 with the Colts and Holmgren - Reid’s former boss with the Packers - with 86 in Green Bay and 75 in Seattle.
4. Reid has the highest winning percentage in Chiefs history (.696) and reclaimed the Eagles record (.583) after passing Doug Pederson in Week 2. Pederson began the season at .594 and dropped to .585 after the Washington loss and then to .576 with the Rams loss.
2 - Patrick Mahomes
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS QB
Finally asked to unleash his MVP game on Monday night, Mahomes brought it — and then some. Wilson gets the nod at No. 1 only because of his unparalleled production and poise, but No. 15 quickly reminded us in the Chiefs’ thrashing of Baltimore that he’s far and away the best long-term QB in the game. Rival GMs would literally forfeit entire seasons to have his talent.
Last week: 3
NFL’s top 10 deep passers: Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers among best | NFL.com
6 -Patrick Mahomes
Kansas City Chiefs · QB
3 of 9 on deep attempts (33.3%), 123 yards, 3:0 TD-to-INT ratio, 121.5 passer rating
It’s a surprise to see the NFL’s poster child for the home run way down here at No. 6, but it’s mostly a result of a low completion percentage. The touchdown total, however, is indisputable.
These numbers stem from an apparent shift in the Chiefs’ offense. Mahomes hasn’t been targeting receivers deep as much in 2020 as he has in the past, resulting in shorter attempts and quicker releases of passes. That’s helped cut down on quarterback pressures, but it’s also kept Mahomes away from the top of the statistical charts down the field. Mahomes’ time to throw is currently at a career low of just 2.6 seconds per attempt, well below 2018 (2.91) and 2019 (2.82). His air-yards-per-pass mark has fallen, too, from 9.2 in 2018 and 8.6 in 2019 to just 6.7 in 2020, mirroring an approach seen more commonly in New Orleans than Kansas City.
It’s producing a nearly error-free passing offense for Kansas City (when getting the ball out in less than 2.5 seconds, Mahomes’ TD-to-INT ratio since 2018 is 26:1), and that furthers the Chiefs’ goal of winning as many games as possible. But the stat sheet is a little less stuffed than we might be used to seeing, with Mahomes attempting deep passes on just 7.4 percent of his throws, far below his 2018 rate of 15.2. Still, when Mahomes has gone deep, it has been rewarding. Mahomes currently ranks third in the NFL in deep passing touchdowns with three, and his deep passer rating is good for eighth-best in the league.
The deep shots produce the most significant highlights, but as we know with Mahomes, he’s likely to create a memorable moment (or five) on a weekly basis, even if it doesn’t cover as many yards through the air.
Michael Fabiano’s Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Week 4 Running Backs | The Ringer
Sit of the Week
Sony Michel at Chiefs
Michel is coming off a solid performance, rushing for 117 yards in a win over the Raiders. Of course, a huge chunk of his yards came on two runs (38, 48 yards), and Michel still isn’t seeing a ton of snaps or touches on a week-to-week basis. Rex Burkhead is the New England running back to start in fantasy until James White returns to the team. So while the Chiefs haven’t been “formidable” versus runners after three weeks, I see Michel as a simple case of chasing fantasy points.
Jerry Jones wanted to draft CEH | Essentially Sports
The Cowboys owner made an appearance on 105.3 The Fan and said, “The running back is outstanding. I watched him live last year at LSU when I was watching my grandson play at that particular time and I loved him. I loved him in the draft and I was dreaming that he might get over into the second, and somehow be around where we could look at him. But he’s an exceptional player, their running back.”
Around the NFL
Pittsburgh Steelers-Tennessee Titans game postponed until Monday or Tuesday | NFL.com
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday that the Steelers and Titans is expected to be played either Monday or Tuesday, per a source informed of the decision.
The NFL later confirmed the decision to push the game. ESPN first reported news of the potential postponement.
The bout was slated to kick off at 1 p.m. ET Sunday on CBS in Nashville.
NFL issues strong warning to coaches who won’t wear masks on sideline | ESPN
“Both our own and independent medical advisors have emphasized the need to remain vigilant and disciplined in following the processes and protocols put in place by agreement with the NFLPA as well as by state and local governments,” Vincent wrote in the memo.
“We are only through Week 3 of the season. If we are to play a full and uninterrupted season, we all must remain committed to our efforts to mitigate the risk of transmission of the virus. Inconsistent adherence to health and safety protocols ... will put the 2020 season at risk.”
NFLPA president JC Tretter calls for all teams to use grass fields | ESPN
Tretter, the starting center for the Cleveland Browns, wrote in a newsletter that players have a 28% higher rate of noncontact lower extremity injuries when playing on artificial turf compared with grass. Tretter added that those rates are even higher for noncontact knee injuries (32%) and noncontact foot and ankle injuries (69%) on turf compared with grass.
In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride
L’Jarius Sneed has been the Chiefs’ most valuable rookie so far
The Chiefs are now one game away from veteran cornerback Bashaud Breeland returning from a four-game suspension. Their plan to navigate his loss — during a stretch that included what was supposed to be a tough game against the Baltimore Ravens — was to go with a bunch of young, inexperienced cornerbacks and give them an opportunity to prove themselves. As the most experienced of the bunch (with a little over a full season of starts) Charvarius Ward would be the anchor. Starting opposite Ward would be Sneed, second-year player Rashad Fenton or special-teams ace Antonio Hamilton.
Sneed got the first crack to start opposite Ward — and didn’t let go. Through the first three games of the season, he has been the Chiefs’ best cornerback. When the Chiefs lost Ward for Week 2, Sneed stepped up to get his second interception of the season.
His athletic profile has always been apparent — and his ball skills have proved to be better than any corner on the roster last year. His instincts have surprised many. When a play broke down on Monday, he put himself in position to grab his third interception by running from the other side of the field; that he got his hands on the ball was impressive.
A tweet to make you think
John Harbaugh: “If you don’t give Patrick Mahomes credit that would be foolish. He played to his level - he played great. He made amazing throws under pressure..” #Ravens
— 105.7 The Fan (@1057TheFan) September 30, 2020
Follow Arrowhead Pride on Social Media
- Facebook Page: Click here to like our page
- AP Instagram: Follow @ArrowheadPride
- AP Twitter: Follow @ArrowheadPride
- AP Staff on Twitter: see complete list
- 610 Sports Twitter: Follow @610SportsKC