Arrowheadlines: Tershawn Wharton is getting the credit that his play deserves

The latest

Kansas City Chiefs Undrafted Rookie Tershawn Wharton Is Earning More Reps | Forbes

On the 3rd and 7 play, he disengaged from guard Alex Lewis and dropped quarterback Sam Darnold. The undrafted rookie’s first sack of his career forced New York to settle for a field goal.

Later in the same quarter, he penetrated through the line on a 1st and 10 with 4:26 left, and Wharton and Frank Clark stopped Frank Gore for a one-yard gain.

It was all part of his impactful, four-tackle day while playing 31 snaps or 54% of the defensive action. It’s further proof that the Chiefs may have unearthed a gem.

“Wharton’s been a great story,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said before the season. “He’s worked hard, he’s been very dedicated, a pro on-and-off-the-field and attacks every day.”

If the Chargers fire Anthony Lynn, which coaching candidates could they turn to? | Bolts from the Blue (L.A Chargers SB Nation site)

Quickly:

Dave Toub, Chiefs

At a time when coaching candidates are meant to be 30 or younger, Toub is the 58-year-old longtime special teams coordinator for coaches like Andy Reid and Lovie Smith. He’s been mentioned in interviews for a decade.

Steve Spagnuolo, Chiefs

Anyone associated with Kansas City is of note, but Bieniemy is the most popular name to be tossed around by fans because he’s touched the hand of Patrick Mahomes. Could LA snag the most-prized name on the market from a division rival? Again: I don’t think that just because Bieniemy works with Mahomes and Reid that he’s going to be the best person to work with Herbert. Matt Nagy worked with Mahomes too, albeit during his rookie season on the bench.

NFL underdogs produced painful Sunday for chalk bettors | New York Post

The Kansas City Chiefs (-20) covered in a 35-9 win over the New York Jets in one of the more interesting games from a gambling perspective of the season. More than 73 percent of bets and 68 percent of the money at PointsBet sportsbooks was on the Chiefs. Several large moneyline wagers came though on Kansas City, including a $60,000 wager at a William Hill book in Iowa at -2800 odds. The bet won $2,142.85

Patrick Mahomes off to better start than in MVP season after becoming first in NFL history to reach this feat | CBS Sports

Though eight games in 2020, Mahomes has a higher completion percentage, fewer interceptions, more rushing yards and just as many rushing touchdowns as his MVP year of 2018. The Kansas City Chiefs also have the same 7-1 record in 2020 as they did in Mahomes’ MVP season, with the overall statistics eerily similar through eight games.

Mahomes accomplished another first in his already incredible start, becoming the first player in NFL history to throw 20-plus touchdown passes and one or zero interceptions in the first eight games of a season. Mahomes is the only player in the NFL to rank in the top three in in passing yards, passing touchdowns and passer rating.

The Chiefs quarterback entered the MVP conversation with another outstanding performance Sunday, finishing 31 of 42 for 416 yards with five touchdowns, zero interceptions and a 144.4 passer rating. Mahomes became the 12th player in the Super Bowl era with 400 passing yards, five touchdowns and zero interceptions in a game. He’s one of just six quarterbacks in league history to have multiple games 400-plus yards and 5-plus touchdown passes, accomplishing the feat in just 39 games. The other five quarterbacks on the list have played over 100 games in their career.

Kansas City Chiefs are bettors’ clear favorite to take the Super Bowl | SBC Americas

A consensus of the nation’s largest legal online sportsbooks — including FanDuel, DraftKings, PointsBet, PlaySugarHouse, and BetMGM — now places the Chiefs at +350 to win the Super Bowl, meaning bettors would win $350 for every $100 wagered. The reigning NFL champions entered the season at +600, a narrow favorite over the Baltimore Ravens.

Meanwhile, the 7-0 Pittsburgh Steelers are now +550 to win the Super Bowl after opening the season at +2500. Only the Chiefs have higher expectations. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are third at +750, a shift from +1500, and the aforementioned Ravens have fallen to +900 from +650.

2021 NFL Draft order: Giants No. 2; Cowboys, Patriots in top 10 | NFL.com

Kansas City Chiefs

7-1 · .397

Biggest needs: Interior OL, WR, S

This week’s game: vs. Panthers

The Chiefs utilize three safeties in their defense, and one of them (Daniel Sorensen, who is tied for the team lead in INTs and tied for second on the team in tackles) is in the final year of his contract. Plus, Tyrann Mathieu has only one year left on his deal.

Around the NFL

Bill Belichick not making excuses for Patriots’ struggles: ‘We sold out and won three Super Bowls’ | NFL.com

Bill Belichick recently noted the salary cap issues being in play when explaining the Patriots’ struggles. On his weekly radio spot Monday on WEEI, Belichick insisted that blaming the salary cap isn’t an excuse, it’s simply reality.

“Look, we paid Cam Newton $1 million. I mean it’s obvious we didn’t have any money. It’s nobody’s fault,” he said. “That’s what we did the last five years. We sold out and won three Super Bowls, played in a fourth and played in an AFC championship game. This year we had less to work with. It’s not an excuse, it’s just a fact.”

Denver Broncos president John Elway, CEO Joe Ellis test positive for coronavirus | ESPN

Ellis and Elway both received their positive test results early Tuesday morning. Both have experienced mild symptoms, and team sources said Tuesday that neither Ellis nor Elway has been in close contact with any of the team’s players and coaches in recent days as the Broncos were already operating under the NFL’s enhanced COVID-19 protocols.

The Broncos’ facility was closed for the players and other team employees Tuesday for Election Day, but as a precaution the team also told its coaches to work remotely from home. Ellis sent an email to Broncos employees early Tuesday, around 7 a.m., revealing he had tested positive for COVID-19.

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride

Week 9 AP NFL Power Rankings: The best separate from the rest

21. Minnesota Vikings (24th)

How about you just feed Dalvin Cook and play smothering defense every week?

22. Philadelphia Eagles (22nd)

Whose idea was it to put an all-NFC East game on primetime? With three wins, the Eagles likely only need three more for the playoffs.

23. Denver Broncos (23rd)

What a comeback. Kudos. But please stop dancing, Drew Lock. Your future kids are already embarrassed.

A tweet to make you smile

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