The Kansas City Chiefs will take on the Denver Broncos on Sunday afternoon for the second time this season.
In the first game, the Chiefs’ defense held Denver to just two third-down conversions over 12 attempts; Kansas City even stopped the Broncos’ only attempt at fourth down.
The Chiefs haven’t been as stout on the crucial down since, including allowing the Seattle Seahawks to convert 11 of 16 third downs last week.
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The latest Kansas City Chiefs news
Third downs and what else to watch when Chiefs meet the Broncos for second time | The Kansas City Star
“We had them in 10 third-and-7 plus,” defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said. “But we only one four of them. That’s not good.” Maybe Sunday’s road game against the Broncos provides a bounce-back opportunity. Denver ranks 31st in third-down conversions, at 31.1%. Defensive tackle Chris Jones said he’d add to the list of issues against the Seahawks. “You take third downs, and you take tackling,” Jones said. “That kind of makes up the game.”
Why doesn’t rookie Cyrus Allen play more? Here’s the uphill climb he faces with Chiefs | The Athletic
“He told me to get my eyes up, watching the coverage. ‘Look at the coverage,’” Allen told The Athletic on Thursday in the Chiefs’ locker room. “We had a play that we were running to where I gotta get the other guys open. So, just looking at the coverage and knowing what I got to do to help them guys.”
It’s a perfect snapshot of what Allen must consider — and everything he has to think about — as he aims to become a bigger part of the Chiefs offense in his rookie season.
Chiefs get Rashee Rice back from injury for Broncos game | ESPN
In four games this season, Rice has produced 13 receptions on 16 targets for 190 yards and a touchdown.
“He’s such a physical receiver,” Mahomes said Wednesday of Rice. “He does a great job within the zone concepts at getting himself open, as well as being physical versus man [coverage]. Having him back out there will be big for us because it’ll help take some pressure off the other guys to make plays and let them go out there and be themselves. Hopefully, we can have some success.”
NFL Week 8 picks: Upset and score predictions, matchup breakdowns for every game | NFL.com
Can Vance Joseph’s unit provide that kind of ground defense this Sunday? It’s a tall task, though Denver has shown some improvement against the run during its current three-game win streak, yielding a middle-of-the-pack figure of 4.2 yards per carry during that span. After spending the first six weeks of the season on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, Jonathon Cooper just made his season debut last Sunday, reinfusing the defense with a powerful edge setter. Meanwhile, the Chiefs’ offensive line is highly unstable beyond the Pro Bowl combo of C Creed Humphrey and RG Trey Smith.
Here are 4 free agent WRs Kansas City Chiefs should consider signing | Chiefs Wire
Darius Slayton
A former New York Giant and Indianapolis Colt, Slayton is exactly the type of veteran presence who could immediately make an impact for the Chiefs’ offense as head coach Andy Reid makes mid-season adjustments to his legendary air attack.
Curtis Samuel
Samuel is a versatile threat who would have no problem earning touches in Kansas City’s offense as both a rusher and receiver.
Around the NFL
Panthers fire defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, make other defensive changes after Packers loss | CBS Sports
Evero’s unit struggled almost across the board in his four seasons running the Panthers defense. The lone bright spot was Carolina’s pass defense, where they allowed the fourth-fewest passing yards per game (201.1) since 2023.
Evero wasn’t anywhere close to having his ideal secondary in the Thursday night loss at Lambeau Field. Cornerbacks Jaycee Horn (quad), Mike Jackson (groin) and Akayleb Evans (knee/triceps) were all on injured reserve in Week 8.
Sean Payton goes for his 200th career win on Sunday | Pro Football Talk
Payton’s next win will give him 200 for his career, including the postseason. His first crack at No. 200 comes on Sunday against the Chiefs.
He has coached 319 games, generating a record of 199-120. He’s 189-110 in the regular season and 10-10 in the playoffs.
With two more wins, Payton will catch Dan Reeves and Mike Tomlin for 10th on the all-time list. Four more wins after that will put Payton even with Marty Schottenheimer, at 205. Chuck Noll is No. 8 with 209. Paul Brown is No. 7 with 222.
Records show 3 other women accused Packers’ Josh Jacobs of abuse after arrest | ESPN
As police investigated whether to file charges against Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs following a May altercation with his then-girlfriend, multiple other women contacted police to detail their own allegations against him.
Those accounts were included in evidence regarding Jacobs’ battery case that the Hobart/Lawrence Police Department released Friday night in response to a public records request. Green Bay TV station NBC 26 first reported the records release.
Jacobs pleaded no contest Sept. 10 to misdemeanor counts of battery and criminal damage to property. He was arrested May 26, three days after an incident in which a woman said he threw her to the ground.
In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride
Kingdom Keys: 3 Keys to a Chiefs victory over the Broncos in Week 8
Kansas City’s defensive ends must remain disciplined. George Karlaftis and the other edge defenders cannot consistently rush beyond Nix and create open escape lanes. Collapsing the pocket means little if Nix can step outside it and turn a broken play into a first down.
The Chiefs should make him beat them by consistently throwing from inside the pocket. Nix has completed 59.2% of his passes while averaging only 5.8 yards per attempt, with seven touchdowns, three interceptions and an 80.7 passer rating.
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