Chiefs News 11/27: Kareem Hunt scoops AFC weekly award

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Chiefs vs. Cowboys: Two must-know storylines for Thanksgiving Day showdown | NFL.com

1) Chiefs look to increase scoring against improved Dallas defense

The Chiefs are still limited at times on the scoreboard,

averaging 21 points per game in their past three games, although there were at least signs of life from the offense in last week’s OT win over the Colts. Down 20-9, the Chiefs scored 14 of their 23 points in the final nine minutes of regulation and in overtime. Patrick Mahomes led them to a 494-yard outing, and they would have scored more had they not gone 1 for 6 in the red zone. Only the Colts (48) have more red-zone possessions than the Chiefs (47), but Kansas City has converted only 28 of them into touchdowns, for a middle-of-the-pack conversion rate of 59.6 percent. Dallas’ defense has struggled in the red zone this season, allowing a 69.0 percent TD rate on 42 possessions, including 3 for 3 against the Eagles on Sunday. But the Cowboys clamped down after allowing three touchdowns in their first three series, holding the Eagles scoreless for the final 41:32 in a stirring comeback. Quinnen Williams has been dominant in two games and has elevated the entire unit, which could be bad news with Chiefs guard Trey Smith missing this game.

RB Kareem Hunt Earns “AFC Offensive Player of the Week” Honors | The Mothership

Hunt, who rushed for a season-high 104 yards on Sunday – was named “AFC Offensive Player of the Week” on Wednesday in recognition of his efforts. This marks his second time winning the award, and the first time since Week 9 of the 2018 season.

Pro Football Focus credited Hunt with seven forced missed tackles and 81 yards after contact in Sunday’s game as the veteran tailback churned his legs for a season-high 10 rushing first downs. Only Colts’ running back Jonathan Taylor, who rushed for 11 first downs in Week 10, recorded a higher total in a single game this season.

Hunt currently leads the Chiefs in total touches (129), rushing yards (457) and scrimmage touchdowns (8) heading into Week 13, and now with a critical showdown against the Dallas Cowboys up next, Hunt and the rest of the Chiefs’ offense will look to keep things rolling on Thanksgiving.

NFL Week 13 staff picks: Chiefs-Cowboys, Packers-Lions, Bears-Eagles provide holiday feast | The Athletic

Offensively, Dak Prescott’s elite play has made the Cowboys irrepressible. KC is also a member of the sub-100 rushing, sub-200 passing defensive club, but they haven’t faced a passing game this relentless all season. With two elite receivers and a fearless quarterback, Dallas is stylistically way outside the Chiefs’ comfort zone.

2025 NFL Defensive Tiers Week 13: Texans on Top; Eagles Drop; Browns Hold Firm | FOX Sports

Elite

Houston Texans
Denver Broncos
Los Angeles Rams
Kansas City Chiefs
Green Bay Packers
Baltimore Ravens
Seattle Seahawks

The Texans showed why they have arguably the best defense in football on a national stage last week.

Against the Bills, who entered Thursday Night Football with the NFL’s fourth-ranked scoring offense, Houston stuffed the stat sheet — eight sacks (a career-high on Allen), 12 quarterback hits, 11 tackles for loss and five pass breakups. The Texans also had three takeaways, including the game-sealing interception with 24 seconds left.

Week 13 NFL QB Power Rankings: Return of Joe Burrow, Dak Prescott climbs in top 10 | CBS Sports

10 – Patrick MahomesKansas City Chiefs QB
He wasn’t all the way “on” in the Chiefs’ much-needed win over the Colts, but the late-game flair finally returned. Now if only Kansas City could also outfit the three-time champ with some reliable run support. (+2)

Around the NFL

Sources – Broncos reach extensions with Wattenberg, Roach | ESPN

Center Luke Wattenberg, one of Denver’s fifth-round picks in the 2022 draft, and defensive tackle Malcolm Roach are the latest key players to agree to contract extensions and the second and third in the past week.

Sources confirmed Wattenberg, who has been the starter for the past two seasons, agreed to a four-year, $48 million extension and Roach, who has 4.5 sacks and 64 tackles in two seasons with Denver, agreed to a three-year, $29.25 million extension that includes $14 million guaranteed.

Wattenberg, who was scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent in March, is the latest in a growing list of Broncos players to agree to an extension with the team. Kicker Wil Lutz agreed to a three-year contract extension within the past week, and wide receiver Courtland Sutton, defensive end Zach Allen and outside linebacker Nik Bonitto agreed to multiyear extensions just before the start of the regular season.

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride

Chiefs’ Kareem Hunt on 30-carry outing against Colts: ‘It’s fun’

“It’s fun,” he said of the opportunity before Tuesday’s practice. “I definitely get to play a lot of football. That’s what I love to do, so it’s fun.”

But Hunt’s coaches (and his most famous teammate) weren’t willing to allow the 30-year-old back to be so humble.

“I’m proud of him,” said head coach Andy Reid. “He’s upright, which is a positive thing. So he’s doing good. It just shows you what he’s put into it. At that age and at that position, those guys don’t normally hang around very long and be productive like he was this past week.”

“We joke with him,” revealed offensive coordinator Matt Nagy. “30 carries for somebody that is no spring chicken with where he’s at. But he’s so tough. He’s such a valuable part of this offense.”