Arrowheadlines: Loss to Chargers severley damaged Chiefs chances of winning number 1-seed

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AFC playoff race: How Bills, Ravens, Chiefs, Chargers stack up -| ESPN

Kansas City Chiefs

FPI odds of winning 1-seed before Week 1: 18.4% (third)
FPI odds of winning 1-seed after Week 1: 7.5% (fourth)
Difference: minus-10.9 percentage points

It would be an understatement to say that Friday wasn’t the start the Chiefs were hoping to have in 2025. Playing what amounted to a de facto home game as the road team in Brazil against the division rival Chargers, Andy Reid’s team fell behind early and spent the entire

game trying to catch up. The Chiefs did not lead for a single second of their 27-21 loss to the Chargers, just the fifth time that has happened in a Mahomes start over the past eight years.

It’s also the second time it has happened to Mahomes’ Chiefs in consecutive games, as they didn’t lead for a single second of their blowout defeat in the Super Bowl at the hands of the Eagles. Friday’s loss wasn’t anywhere near as comprehensive, but it was the first time the Chiefs had lost a one-score game since Week 16 of the 2023 season, ending an NFL-record run of 16 consecutive victories in games decided by seven or fewer points.

2025 NFL QB rankings, Week 2: Patrick Mahomes dethroned; Jalen Hurts cracks top 10 | NFL.com

2. Patrick Mahomes

Kansas City Chiefs · Year 9

2025 stats: 1 game | 61.5 pct | 258 pass yds | 6.6 ypa | 1 pass TD | 0 INT | 57 rush yds | 1 rush TD | 0 fumbles

NFL Week 1 reactions: Overreactions or reality? | Yardbarker

1. The Los Angeles Chargers will finish ahead of the Chiefs in the AFC West: Not an overreaction

The Chargers defeated the Chiefs for the first time since 2021, snapping a seven-game losing streak and signaling a possible power shift in the AFC West.

Justin Herbert threw for 318 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Wide receiver Quentin Johnston had a breakout performance, hauling in two touchdowns and leading the Chargers in receiving yards.

The Chargers’ defense held Kansas City to 0-for-7 on third downs in the first half and just 5-for-14 overall — a notable feat against a team that ranked third in third-down conversion rate last season. The Chiefs’ struggles were compounded by a depleted receiving corps, and the shoulder injury to Xavier Worthy only enhanced their limitations.

The Chiefs have dominated the AFC West since 2016, but with the Chargers’ Week 1 victory and Kansas City battling numerous injuries, the momentum may be shifting away from the reigning AFC Champions.

2026 NFL Mock Draft: 6 Teams Grab QBs in First Round — Including the Cowboys? | FOX Sports

28. Kansas City Chiefs: Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington, 5-9, 229

With Xavier Worthy ailing and Rashee Rice suspended, the Chiefs might be looking for help at receiver in 2026. But don’t overlook the possibility of adding to their backfield. Coleman is a virtual clone of former UCLA and NFL star Maurice Jones-Drew, offering terrific contact balance in a power-packed frame.

Around the NFL

Sources — Commanders fear Austin Ekeler has torn Achilles | ESPN

The Washington Commanders fear veteran running back Austin Ekeler tore his right Achilles in the fourth quarter of Thursday night’s 27-18 loss to the Green Bay Packers, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Ekeler, 30, still needs to undergo imaging that is scheduled for Friday for confirmation, sources said.

“That will be significant,” Washington coach Dan Quinn said about the potential season-ending loss of Ekeler. “He provides a lot of unique things for us.”

With five minutes, 50 seconds to play, Ekeler was running a route on third-and-10 and went to cut, only to fall to the ground. He was then helped to the sideline as athletic trainers looked at his right foot.

49ers’ Brock Purdy a ‘long shot’ to play in Week 2, coach says | ESPN

Purdy is dealing with toe and left shoulder injuries that happened in the second quarter of Sunday’s win against the Seattle Seahawks. Coach Kyle Shanahan has indicated that the toe is the bigger concern and said Wednesday that it’s unlikely Purdy will play against the Saints.

“I think it’s a long shot,” Shanahan said.

Asked whether Purdy might miss multiple games as he recovers from the ailments, Shanahan didn’t rule it out.

“It’s possible,” Shanahan said.

Za’Darius Smith reveals why he signed with Eagles, relishing opportunity to be leader for young players | CBS Sports

“I just felt comfortable with this team because they lost a veteran leader last year in BG (Brandon Graham),” Smith said following his first practice, per the Eagles’ official website. “It was a great opportunity, great fit for me to come here and basically do what I do and just help the younger guys.”

Smith, 33, acknowledged he had interest from other teams but thought the Eagles were the best fit for his services.

“You know, man, I had a lot of teams calling, but I just felt comfortable coming to Philly,” Smith said. “I know Ogbo (Okoronkwo), we was together in Cleveland. I talked to him and he was just telling me about the organization, the locker room and the great people that are here. Dom (DiSandro), one of the head guys. Man, I love Dom.

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride

Chiefs Roster: Patrick Mahomes expects Hollywood Brown to get targets

For over a dozen seasons, Kansas City Chiefs fans have learned the importance of head coach Andy Reid’s opening offensive script.

But that 15-play plan was dealt a crippling blow in Friday’s 27-21 season-opening loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil. Second-year wideout Xavier Worthy — widely expected to be the team’s primary offensive weapon while fellow receiver Rashee Rice serves a six-game suspension — was lost after suffering a dislocated shoulder on the offense’s third play. With Worthy in the locker room, the Chiefs punted on each of their first three drives, gaining only 28 net yards over a dozen plays.

Even so, quarterback Patrick Mahomes has confidence in the team’s other wide receivers during Worthy and Rice’s absences.

“I think it’s more just getting guys into the right spots,” the face of the league told reporters before Wednesday’s practice. “Obviously, you try to rep and give guys opportunities at every single receiver position, but there’s only limited reps. So, when you have an injury, you have guys going in different spots [where] they haven’t got those reps before.

“But I thought the guys did well as the game went on — adjusting to that, stepping up and making plays. I thought they did really good in the second half of giving us a chance to go out there and try to get a win.”