Whether it’s big-time throws being made by quarterback Patrick Mahomes or gashing runs by running back Kenneth Walker, the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense looks like one of the NFL’s best once again after a multi-year stretch when that was not the case.
But what’s different about this version of the Chiefs offense?
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The latest Kansas City Chiefs news
The Chiefs’ offense has been elite again — but for an entirely different reason | The Kansas City Star
Here’s the oddity of the biggest change they made: They were basically the worst under-center team in the NFL a year ago. They totaled just 45.1 yards per game in the formation, second-to-last in the league. They averaged 3.0 yards per pass attempt while lining up under center, last in the league.
Then they decided to do more of that.
And what do you know, a year later, they lead the NFL in rush yards per play (6.3) in under-center formations, a half-yard better than second place, and rank second in pass yards per play (9.5), more than triple the efficiency of last season.
Chiefs still have faith in pass rush, despite going without a sack since Week 1 | ESPN
Entering this week, the Chiefs ranked 27th in pass rush win rate, generating pressure by beating the opponent’s pass protection within 2.5 seconds just 45% of the time. The concern for the Chiefs after their most recent game, a comeback win over the Las Vegas Raiders, is that quarterback Kirk Cousins, who they pressured on just 34.6% of his pass drops, was the least mobile passer they have faced so far this season.
“We’ve done a good job of keeping the quarterback busy back there, though, with pressure, which is important,” coach Andy Reid said Monday. “Hands down, we want to have sacks. But the pressure on the quarterback ends up being an important thing, and I think our guys have been generating that.”
Cyrus Allen and 7 more Kansas City Chiefs players who should play a bigger role after the Week 5 bye as injuries reshape the roster | A to Z Sports
Briningstool has been the clear No. 3 tight end behind Travis Kelce and Noah Gray. His pass blocking leaves something to be desired (one pressure allowed on just two pass-blocking attempts), but he’s proven to be one of the team’s better run blockers at the position. In fact, he leads all Chiefs tight ends in run-blocking grade, according to Pro Football Focus. That includes both Gray and Kelce.
With the running game becoming a much bigger part of the offense, getting your best run-blocking tight end on the field more often makes sense. Also, don’t put it past Kansas City to lean into more 13-personnel play-action looks. Briningstool made some acrobatic catches during training camp and the preseason.
The story behind Chiefs rookie’s hot start? A Patrick Mahomes DM — and question to the GM | The Athletic
Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach was in the Blum Student Union cafeteria lunch line when rookie running back Emmett Johnson caught him off guard.
Johnson asked a direct question — and one Veach acknowledges now he wasn’t fully prepared for.
“Y’all don’t think I can block, do you?”
Chiefs Emerge as Potential Candidate for Week 8 Primetime Flex | Heavy Sports
The Philadelphia Inquirer recently noted that the NFL is considering flexing the Eagles-Washington Commanders matchup out of “Sunday Night Football” in Week 8, as both teams currently have losing records.
John Breech of CBS Sports examined the league’s other alternatives for the coveted primetime slot, but doesn’t believe there is a good option. Here is his case against the Chiefs-Broncos being flexed.
Around the NFL
Micah Parsons explains cautious return to play, doesn’t ‘care’ he’s missing Cowboys-Packers game | NFL.com
“The biggest thing that people worried about with me, they’re like, ‘Man, why ain’t he back yet?’” he said this week on “The Edge with Micah Parsons” podcast. “If the Super Bowl was this week, I’m playing in the Super Bowl. But it’s just about me making sure I have all the small things fixed first.”
Parsons underscored that the main concern isn’t injuring the repaired ACL again, but rather all the things that could go wrong by pushing to return early.
Jaguars are first team since the merger not to allow a 40-yard rusher in first five games | Pro Football Talk
Last year, the most rushing yards any player gained in a game against the Jaguars was 74, by Colts running back Jonathan Taylor. The Jaguars have now gone 23 consecutive games, counting last year’s playoff game, without allowing a 75-yard rusher.
Opposing running backs have totaled 83 carries for 210 yards against the Jaguars this season, an average of just 2.5 yards per carry. That’s by far the best defense against running backs in the NFL this season.
Lamar Jackson has ‘realistic chance’ to return vs. Browns in Week 6 | CBS Sports
Jackson battled several nagging issues last year. Officially, an early-season hamstring injury cost him three games, and a back bruise caused him to miss another game late in the year. Unofficially, Jackson rarely looked like his normal explosive self. He had just 67 carries for 349 yards, both career lows, and his 5.2 yards per carry was his lowest mark since his rookie year, when he took over as starter midseason. Jackson’s pocket mobility evaporated, too, as he had a career-high sack rate.
In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride
Patrick Mahomes sees how the Chiefs’ offense can take it to the next level
“It was easy once I saw Kenneth running the football,” Mahomes reflected about the offseason. “I was like, ‘We have to make sure we give him the best chances to succeed.’”
“Obviously, he has run the ball terrific under center, and the offensive line has taken it upon themselves to fire off the ball and get that stuff down,” Mahomes continued. “I knew if we were able to do that, the play action game would open up even more. Then it’s about me just being the best quarterback for this team. It’s always going to be different, and this team was about being under center, getting him going and then play action off of it. I’m sure the defenses will adjust, and we’ll adjust off of that as well.”
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