Head Coach – Andy Reid
Offensive Playcaller – Eric Bieniemy
Defensive Playcaller – Steve Spagnuolo
Captains – Announced for Playoffs
2019 Record – 12-4 (won Super Bowl LIV)
Key Acquisition – Clyde Edwards-Helaire
LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
The Miami Dolphins have a tough Sunday coming up as the Kansas City Chiefs visit Hard Rock Stadium for one of the matchups of the 2020 NFL season. The number 2 scoring offense that has superstars in Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, and Travis Kelce faces off against the number 2 scoring defense that will be looking to stop or neutralize those three.
Emmanuel Ogbah, Xavien Howard, and Eric Rowe have played lights out this season on the defensive side of the football and will have to be on their A-game to beat the explosive Kansas City Chiefs.
That quick-strike offense starts with one man, 2018 NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes. The three-year starter out of Texas Tech has won 35 of 43 games in his young career and will be looking to make that 36 on Sunday.
According to PFF, Mahomes is actually having his best season of the three, grading at 93.3, compared to 92.9 in 2018. He’s leading the league in passing yards with 3815, and places 3rd in passing touchdowns. He’s also super accurate with the football, operating at a 68.3 completion rate and only two interceptions on the year.
The matchup I’m intrigued by in this game is Xavien Howard, or Byron Jones up against Tyreek Hill. The fastest receiver in the NFL, no cap, and one of the best route runners I’ve ever seen facing off against one of the league’s premier man cover corners, whomever it may be. One thing we do know is that Tyreek is playing the best ball of his career right now.
I mean we’re two weeks removed from his 269 yard, 3 TD game against Tampa Bay. The Kansas City Chiefs wideout has put up 640 yards and 8 touchdowns in 5 games. WOW. Bobby McCain or Brandon Jones may be required to help out.
Travis Kelce is hands down the best tight end in football, boasting a 92.5 total offense grade from Pro Football Focus. The Kansas City Chiefs TE’s numbers are unreal. He has a real shot at leading the entire league in receiving and just got put in Madden’s 99 club.
I know it’s a common theme, but Kelce is playing his best football right now. Right next to him is a pretty decent o-line that includes former Number 1 overall pick, Eric Fisher and Austin Reiter who I believe is due a Pro Bowl selection. Those guys do a great job in protecting Mahomes and creating lanes for Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Le’Veon Bell. I’d expect them to run the ball more than usual as that is this defense’s weak point.
On the defensive side of the football, Chris Jones is one of the league’s best defensive players and behind Aaron Donald is probably the second best interior pass rusher in the league. Tua may have a bit of a handful today if Jones is left unblocked. Next to him is Derrick Nnadi who I believe has come on tremendously as a run stopper. Those two are the Kansas City Chiefs two best defensive players according to PFF.
They’ll be looking to get something out of Frank Clark, who at the moment looks a shell of himself. The Kansas City Chiefs pass rusher is the number 97th ranked player at his position. At linebacker, Willie Gay Jr will be more prominent this week as Damien Wilson we likely be out. He didn’t practice all week.
Finally, in the secondary they have a trio of pretty underrated corners that have made some plays this season. Brashaud Breeland was a great addition to Steve Spagnuolo’s defense last year, and that’s continued onto this season. Lined up next to him is third year player Charvarius Ward, and either Rashad Fenton or L’Jarius Snead inside.
Their safeties are turnover machines. Tyrann Mathieu, Daniel Sorensen, and Juan Thornhill have got 9 picks and 2 forced fumbles between them. Chan Gailey might look to exploit them, however, as they aren’t that great in coverage. They’re sort of just there when a turnover needs to happen. Mathieu’s play has regressed this season, but that’s not on him, Juan Thornhill coming back should free him up to move him about which is where the Honey Badger really shines.
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