Arrowheadlines: Chargers’ great claims Chiefs have lost their identity

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Former Chargers linebacker says Kansas City Chiefs need ‘to get their identity back | Kansas City Star

Former Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman was interviewed for gambling.com about Los Angeles leading the AFC West, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson’s dazzling play, coach Jon Gruden’s departure from the Raiders and more.

One of the topics was the Chiefs’ 2-3 start to the season. Merriman was asked if there should be a concern about the Chiefs following Sunday’s 38-20 loss to the Bills at Arrowhead Stadium.

“First and foremost, Buffalo is a contender this year. It’s not like Kansas City got beat by a C-plus team or something like that. But let’s not take away the loss with how good Buffalo really is,” Merriman said.

“Second of all, Kansas City needs to get their identity back. I think they’ve become a pass-happy football team, and when you become a pass-happy football team, that team takes on your identity, on both sides of the ball, and that’s what’s happened.”

Three key matchups to watch in Sunday’s Kansas City Chiefs vs. Washington Football Team game | Hogs Haven (Washington Football Team SB Nation site)

Washington’s Redzone Offense vs. Chiefs Redzone Defense

Washington’s offense last week against the New Orleans Saints scored two touchdowns on five red zone trips. While the Saints defense is the number one defense in the red zone, the Chiefs will provide Washington an opportunity to bounce back immediately, as they are the 28th ranked defense in the same category, respectfully. Scoring in the red zone is obviously essential, but teams struggle with this for various reasons. First, the field shortens dramatically - So what type of team are you? Can you run the ball effectively? Is your quarterback capable of extending plays to create voids in the defensive zone? Is your quarterback accurate and identifying the right keys? How does the offensive coordinator adjust to the short field? These are all factors used in the equation of a successful red zone, and Washington cannot afford to fail against a terrible defense when awarded the opportunity. I expect Antonio Gibson to thrive in this area.

KC Chiefs’ Andy Reid, WFT’s Ron Rivera take center stage in mentor vs. pupil matchup | Kansas City Star

Rivera said during a Zoom conference call with Chiefs media members that he came away with an appreciation of a rigid practice structure, which includes an up-tempo style, from his time with Reid in Philadelphia. He is also grateful that Reid gave him and others an opportunity to do their jobs.

“I appreciate the way he empowered us — we were a bunch of young coaches — he empowered us to handle our positions and he showed that he trusted us,” Rivera said. “I think that meant the world to a lot of us. Here we are getting our opportunities and we’re being trusted by him to do our jobs, and that was always cool.” Whatever Rivera has applied from his time with Reid to his own current coaching style has evolved, and the Washington coach has his mentor’s approval.

NFL Week 6 game picks, schedule guide, fantasy football tips, odds, injuries and more | ESPN

Bold prediction: Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill will go over 100 yards and catch a couple of TD passes. It has been an unusual season for Hill, who has two big games with almost 200 yards and three games in which he wasn’t much of a factor. But he’ll bounce back after last week’s poor showing against the Bills with a big game against Washington, which is allowing a generous opponent passer rating of 107.8. — Adam Teicher

Stat to know: The Chiefs are allowing nearly 7.08 yards per play, which is the second-worst rate through five games in NFL history (1950 Baltimore Colts at 7.11), according to Elias Sports Bureau research.

NFL betting: Bettors aren’t shy about backing Rams and Chiefs to cover big numbers on the road | Yahoo Sports

Both the Los Angeles Rams and the Kansas City Chiefs are the overwhelming choice of bettors at BetMGM ahead of Week 6. The Rams are the choice of 81% of bettors to cover a 9.5-point spread at the New York Giants. Those bets make up 89% of the handle.

There’s a sharps and squares split on the total. Nearly 60% of wagers think the game will end under the points total of 48.5, but those bets make up 38% of the handle.

Bettors are also liking the Chiefs to cover a 6.5-point spread at the Washington Football Team. The Chiefs are getting 77% of bets and 84% of the handle despite a 2-3 start and a defense that has had problems stopping opposing offenses. Just 58% of the moneyline bets are on the Chiefs to win straight up at -275, but those bets make up an incredible 96% of the handle.

Around the NFL

Eagles trade three-time Pro Bowl TE Zach Ertz to Cardinals | NFL.com

Ertz was again emotional following Philadelphia’s Thursday night loss to Tampa Bay. Now we certainly know why.

“I was crying in the locker room last night for 30 minutes. I felt bad because the guys didn’t really know, but I couldn’t help it,” Ertz told reporters Friday. “It was special. Last January against Washington, there were no fans, so it was weird. I’m glad I didn’t end it like that last January. It was special last night. Obviously we didn’t win, which sucked, but it was fun. It was fun to do what I do out there, and I felt like I played great, was myself, and I’m excited to go to Arizona.”

2021 NFL trade deadline: Nine players who should be on the block | NFL.com

Allen Robinson

Chicago Bears · WR

Robinson has failed to top 70 receiving yards just 25 times in his four seasons with the Chicago Bears — but five of those instances have come this season, during one of the worst starts of Robinson’s career. Excluding 2017, when he suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1, Robinson’s put up the lowest yardage total (181) in the first five games of a season since he entered the NFL. The Bears’ team-wide offensive struggles likely have something to do with this, however, and there are surely receiver-needy squads out there that would love to add a player who has otherwise managed to produce in unfavorable conditions over his NFL tenure. Like Maye and Cam Robinson, Allen Robinson is playing on the franchise tag, and the Bears should try to get value from him rather than go into the offseason facing the chance that he’ll walk.

Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb ruled out because of calf injury | ESPN

“You never want to see a guy like Nick go down,” Hunt said. “Definitely, what he means to this team is crazy. We’ve got a lot of good backs. We should be able to hold it down until he gets back.”

After Friday’s practice, coach Kevin Stefanski was not ready to say whether Chubb would have to go on injured reserve, which would force him to miss at least three games.

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride

Film review: A tale of two halves for Chiefs’ defense against Buffalo

The good

In the game Instabreakdown from Sunday night, I chose cornerback Rashad Fenton as the Chiefs’ defensive player of the game. No, perhaps it isn’t considered a huge honor based on the unit’s overall performance.

However, Fenton earned that nod with rather solid play. The third-year defensive back from the University of South Carolina has always played with a confidence in his demeanor that I really respect.

Speaking of other exciting young Kansas City defenders, it was also linebacker Willie Gay Jr.’s first regular-season game action of the 2021 season. In limited snaps, Gay did not disappoint. His impact will be felt so long as he remains in the lineup.

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