SB Nation • 12 min read

Arrowheadlines: Patrick Mahomes is taking more risks than ever

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NFL Week 5 picks, predictions, schedule, odds, fantasy tips | ESPN

What we’re hearing on the Chiefs: The Chiefs know that Jaguars star Travis Etienne Jr. will be the best RB they’ve faced so far this season

— and that list already includes Baltimore’s Derrick Henry and Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley. Etienne has powered the Jaguars’ offense with 394 rushing yards, the third most in the league. “What’s stuck out to me watching film the past few days is how well he is on the edge,” LB Leo Chenal said of Etienne. “His stiff-arm is good, but it’s not just setting an edge. You have to have great eyes and continue to press the edge because he’ll bounce it out even if you’ve got a [defensive end] setting the edge two yards up the field. You better be ready to knock down a stiff-arm.” — Nate Taylor

Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes is playing riskier football. Here’s why it’s working | The Athletic

Mahomes is doing more than chucking the deep ball more often this season, which has increased his average depth of target by nearly 2 yards per attempt. He’s also followed through on a vow to give his guys more chances on tight-window throws.

NFL’s Next Gen Stats (NGS) provides the evidence. Last season, Mahomes threw 10.3 percent of his passes into “tight windows” (defined by NGS as a throw where the receiver has 1 yard or less of separation when the pass reaches him) while ranking 36th out of 36 qualified NFL quarterbacks.

This year? Mahomes’ “tight-window” percentage is up to 14.1 percent of passes. That’s pushed him to 19th out of 33 QBs, and also is pacing to be a career best for Mahomes in his eight seasons as an NFL starter.

Every NFL Team’s Biggest Problem Heading into Week 5 | Bleacher Report

Problem: A lack of support from the running game

While the passing game woke up in an impressive Week 4 victory over Baltimore, the Chiefs still have yet to rush for 125 yards in a game this season.

It’s not a great sign that quarterback Patrick Mahomes is the team’s leading rusher, despite the fact Isiah Pacheco was active throughout September. His longest rush this season is 12 yards, while Kareem Hunt’s is 11.

Outlook: Mahomes simply isn’t the quarterback he used to be, and he certainly doesn’t have the support he once had. The Chiefs will eventually need more from their backs to help Mahomes out.

NFL rookie rankings at quarter mark of 2025 season: Abdul Carter, Emeka Egbuka, Tyler Warren top list | NFL.com

13 – Josh Simmons

Kansas City Chiefs · LT

DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 32 overall

Simmons’ draft profile was marred by the torn patellar tendon that prematurely ended his final season at Ohio State last October. So far, though, the athletic left tackle hasn’t outwardly shown any ill effects from the serious knee injury, yielding one sack over four starts. Hindsight’s 20/20, of course, but it’s still hard to believe the rest of the league allowed a critical need to fall right into Kansas City’s lap at the end of Round 1.

NFL Week 5 picks, odds, predictions: Best bets, survivor plays, expert tips | CBS Sports

Jaguars +3.5: “The Chiefs finally looked like themselves Sunday in dominating the Ravens, but I still think this offense will go through ups and downs. Baltimore’s defense was in shambles heading into that matchup, and K.C. will now face a much tougher unit in the Jaguars, who have recorded a league-leading 13 takeaways so far this season. Jacksonville is also allowing just 18.0 points per game, which is top-five in the NFL. Meanwhile, the Jags offense is still finding its way — especially through the air with Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter not exactly lighting it up after four weeks — but it can run the ball. Jacksonville is third in the NFL in rushing yards per game, which is where it could exploit a poor Chiefs run defense (127.0 yards per game allowed).”

Around the NFL

Ravens won’t have Lamar Jackson, 3 more Pro Bowlers vs. Texans | ESPN

Lamar Jackson has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans with a hamstring injury, the latest setback for the struggling and banged-up Baltimore Ravens.

Jackson, a two-time NFL MVP, will miss his first game due to injury since a wild-card loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in January 2023. Baltimore is 4-10 without Jackson since 2018, averaging 16.6 points per game.

Cooper Rush will make his first start for the Ravens (1-3), who are dealing with numerous injuries after their worst start in a decade. There are nine players on Baltimore’s injury list, and the Ravens ruled out four Pro Bowlers from last year in Jackson, middle linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring), cornerback Marlon Humphrey (calf) and fullback Patrick Ricard (calf).

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride

Chiefs Roster: Team wants Brashard Smith more involved in the offense

“We’ve been trying to increase some of his play time,” head coach Andy Reid told reporters after Sunday’s game. “He’s got a lot of talent, so we’re working him in different spots… Brett’s done a nice job with these rookies that are playing in the game — and we’ve got a few of them. We’re just giving them a little bit at a time as we go.”

Upon reflection, Reid is pleased with what he’s been seeing from the 22-year-old running back — and his new teammates.

“Just from a mental standpoint, he’s picked it up well,” the coach said on Thursday. “He’s in a good room where guys can help him. [In the past, they’ve] done some of things that we’re asking him to do. He’s willing to listen. He is a very humble kid — and works hard.”

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes agrees with Reid.

“He’s done a great job,” he said of Smith on Tuesday. “Just like any other rookie in this offense, you give [him] more and more every week. He’s done a good job of taking it in — and going out there and executing at a high level. We’ll continue to do that.”