From the Editors’ Show: Chiefs-Chargers Week 7 ‘marinated’ takeaways

On the latest episode of the Arrowhead Pride Editors’ Show podcast, Pete Sweeney and John Dixon discuss their ‘marinated takeaways’ from the Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 7 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

(Listen to the podcast above or by clicking here. It is also available on Spotify.)

Rashee Rice is a difference-maker

Pete: “I was extremely right about the Chiefs not needing a wide receiver! The Chiefs just needed some time to get this thing figured out — and Rashee Rice has clearly gained the trust of his quarterback... The Chargers seemingly forgot that Travis Kelce existed in this game — and he was dominant. Kansas City has their established No. 1 weapon in Travis Kelce; they needed a second option to step up. You’re seeing that Rashee Rice is clearly the best option beyond Travis Kelce. If they can get a little bit out of the rest of the wide receivers — and Rice continues to step up — the Chiefs’ offense will be just fine.”

Richie James future

John: “With the return of Mecole Hardman, I’m left feeling curious about what the Chiefs will do with Richie James if he returns later this year. It’s not like the Chiefs give us much information on injured players! We don’t really have a clue if they expect him back at some point this year right now. He’s got an MCL injury — but that’s really all the information the Chiefs gave us... If Richie James didn’t suffer that early season injury — and Justin Watson doesn’t go down in Week 6 — I think it feels safe to say that Mecole Hardman wouldn’t be back with the Chiefs.”

Mecole Hardman returns

Pete: “I’ll admit I was wrong thinking there was no reason for the Chiefs to bring back Mecole Hardman. My initial thinking was that it’s almost a nostalgic move and he couldn’t find the field with the Jets... The Justin Watson injury helped open the door to add depth — and you could see in his return there’s a different lens on Mecole Hardman now. It’s not about where he was drafted anymore. His role on this team is as a kick return specialist and a guy who can give something in designed plays on offense that makes his role more valuable for the Chiefs. Now that we can forget draft status and what he didn’t live up to, this feels like a new beginning for Mecole Hardman in Kansas City.”

Nick Bolton’s injury

John: “I was at the game on Sunday. I was watching the replay when I saw Bolton holding his hand. Then when I looked to the field, he was on the ground. I had to break out the binoculars to try and figure out what was going on. For him to collapse onto the ground like that — before he made it all the way to the sideline — he must have been in serious pain. I can’t say that I’m surprised he’s going to need surgery on that wrist — and hopefully he’ll be back and healthy later this year. If Drue Tranquill didn’t exist on this team this would be a serious blow to that defense. Now the depth takes a hit — but thankfully, the Chiefs have plenty of depth to fill in until Bolton gets back for the late-season push.”

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