Arrowheadlines: The Chiefs’ margin for error is bigger than most

The latest

The Chiefs are playing with a big-time margin for error right now. | MMQB

Within the first 25 minutes on Sunday, Kansas City had scored on offense, defense and special teams. And the Chiefs won by four touchdowns on a pedestrian day from Patrick Mahomes, at least by Mahomes’s standards, and Kansas City’s entire offense. The Chiefs had 286 yards from scrimmage in snowy Denver, which was their lowest total since Dec. 1 of last year—and they won handily on that day too (40–9 over Oakland). Clyde Edwards-Helaire (nine touches) got a breather, Le’Veon Bell got reps and Chad Henne actually got in the game. The opponent, of course, had something to do with all that. Denver’s not very good. But that they’re able to win like that without leaning on Mahomes is a pretty good sign for where Andy Reid’s operation is seven weeks in.

NFL Week 7 grades: Packers get an ‘A’ for steamrolling Texans, Cowboys get an ‘F’ for blowout loss | CBS Sports

A - Chiefs

If the Chiefs proved one thing in this game, it’s that they can beat you in multiple ways. In their best all-around performance of the season, the Chiefs dominated the Broncos in all three phases of the game, and we mean dominated. Of the five touchdowns Kansas City scored, only three of them came from the offense. The other two came on a special teams play (Byron Pringle’s 102-yard kickoff return) and a defensive play (Daniel Sorensen’s 50-yard pick-six in the second quarter). Even backup quarterback Chad Henne managed to score a TD. Although the Chiefs didn’t have many offensive highlights, this game did feature the Chiefs’ debut of Le’Veon Bell, who averaged an impressive 6.5 yards per carry (Six rushes for 39 yards). The only reason the Chiefs didn’t get an A+ is that they failed to convert a single third down in the game.

NFL Week 8 early odds: Chiefs open as historically big favorite, Cowboys on verge of making ugly history | CBS Sports

In the previous 13 games where a team was favored by 20, the underdog has actually been the safer bet. Although the favored team is 13-0 straight up, it’s just 3-10 against the spread (ATS).

The 21-point spread is the eighth-largest in NFL history. For the Chiefs, it breaks their previous point spread record of 16.5 points, which last happened in 2018. On the Jets’ end, this is the third time they’ve been an underdog of 20 or more points and in the two previous games — both against the Patriots (2007, 2019) — they covered both times.

Andy Reid ties Paul Brown in career wins on NFL’s all-time coaching list | Arrowhead Addict

On Sunday, Reid climbed even higher on the list of the NFL’s greatest head coaches of all time with his 213th regular season victory in a dominant road win over the Denver Broncos. It’s an incredible total that tied him with Paul Brown for sixth place on the NFL’s all-time win list.

In Week 8 against the New York Jets–a team that is currently winless, by the way, Reid will have the opportunity to eclipse the longtime coach of the Browns and Bengals. From there, he would move into sixth place on his own, on the heels of Green Bay Packers legend Curly Lambeau, who is only 13 wins ahead of Reid in fifth place at 226. From there, Reid would need multiple seasons to reach the great Tom Landry at 250 wins.

Around the NFL

5 winners and 3 losers from Week 7 in the NFL | SB Nation

Winner: Tom Brady.

I’ll take one on the chin. I thought Brady was washed at the start of this season, but dude has hit his stride and he’s killing it. Of course, it helps when you have more weapons than James Bond, but nonetheless any rust the Bucs were working out is now off. The NFC South looks prime for this team’s taking again, and any schadenfreude over a “super team” winning the league has now worn off.

It might not resonate out of the gate, but nobody is hotter than the Buccaneers right now, and the more this team works together the more dangerous they get. Lord only knows what happens if Brady can learn to use Mike Evans and then Antonio Brown can contribute anything meaningful this season.

Browns WR Odell Beckham out for season with torn ACL | NFL.com

Beckham’s injury came on the Browns’ second play from scrimmage Sunday against the Bengals. Baker Mayfield’s pass to OBJ was underthrown and intercepted. Beckham chased down Darius Phillips after the INT and suffered the season-ending injury trying to make a tackle.

“Incredibly disappointed for him,’’ Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters Monday, per Cleveland.com. “I know injuries are part of this game, but hate to see that. Obviously, very disappointed for him.”

Stefanski added that one of the difficulties will be duplicating the energy Beckham brings to practice and games.

What we learned in Rams’ win over the Bears | NFL.com

2) Through six weeks, the Bears were that team. They were winning, but there were far more doubters than believers when it came to the record and what lied ahead at season’s end. They found a way to win, they found a way to 5-1, their defense not as ferocious as it had been, but still leading the way. The offense was bumbling about, but the wins were coming and so too would the improvement. Regardless of how it came to be, Chicago was in first place in the NFC North. And then, under the bright microscope of prime time they were exposed. Against an offense that can figure out how to score just enough points, the Bears defense can no longer win on its own. And against a good defense such as the Rams possess, simply replacing Mitchell Trubisky with Nick Foles didn’t conjure up newfound success. Regardless of their record, the Bears (5-2) have problems aplenty and simply biding time until the offense improves and comes together isn’t going to work. That was evident for all the NFL world to see on Monday night.

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride

Seven winners and two losers from the Chiefs’ win against the Broncos

Mecole Hardman: Pringle’s success in the return game coincided with Hardman’s best offensive game of the season. The Chiefs seemed determined to get Hardman involved early, giving him a designed run that went for 13 yards. He finished with only two other catches — but they were significant. One netted 57 yards and featured a beautiful one-handed grab. We should never write off a guy with Hardman’s speed and talent. He’ll certainly have more games — like this one — where he’s a positive factor.

Dave Toub and Steve Spagnuolo: It’s difficult to give credit to everyone who contributed on defense and special teams, but it was clear that the Chiefs were the better prepared (and more aggressive team) in both defense and special teams in Denver. Drew Lock had no answers for Spagnuolo’s defense, throwing two interceptions and taking three sacks. In addition to his big kickoff return, special teams downed a punt near the goal line and hit three field goals in the snow. The coaches had these guys prepared — and fired up to prove that the offense doesn’t always have to carry the team.

A tweet to make you think

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