Tag: KC Chiefs

All the pressure on Patrick Mahomes

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Patrick Mahomes played another excellent game vs Tennessee with 294 in the air and 3 TDs, Mahomes has already built a legend for himself, after throwing 50TD passes last season, and throwing for 300 or more YDs/game in 55% of the games he has played in. His numbers are something that we really have never seen before, not with Montana, Peyton or even with Tom Brady. He brings poise and awesome arm skills to the QB position, and we are all waiting to see what he does on every snap of the ball.
Jimmy Garoppolo and the Niners are built completely different. The Niners are built on running the ball and holding it down with defense – Garoppolo has been the manager-type guy and media has had more than their share of negativity with him as well. He is 100% completely different as a QB – with the fact that he isn’t expected to throw for 300+ YDs, carrying a season average of 248 YDs/game. JimmyG is playing on house money – fans are not expecting Garoppolo to throw for 350 and 4TDs. There is much more expected from Mahomes and the Chiefs. Garoppolo can throw for the yards, as he did when he played vs the Saints and Seattle this season, it is just that San Fran doesn’t need him to throw for massive yards to get the win.
Mahomes has been able to take the torch from Tom Brady and hold off an improving Lamar Jackson to get to the big game. Jimmy Garoppolo went through the uber tough NFC conference – we are watching a battle between 2 of the absolute best teams in the NFL right now. Both teams are the correct teams to be fighting for the trophy. Coach Andy Reid is getting his chance to hold his trophy after 207 regular season wins and 14 seasons with 10 or more wins, and the 40 year old Kyle Shanahan is getting his chance to stand alongside his father, Mike – with the honor and legacy that comes with the name.
A game like this can make many fans question which one of these QBs has the most amount of pressure on their shoulders?
Mahomes is looking, as long as he stays healthy – like he will end his career as a first ballot Hall of Famer. He should have the upper hand at QB, and if he fails it won’t look good for his legend. Mahomes has a chance to further his very special legacy.
Mahomes is not going to torch the Niners defense, not a team that gives up just 169 /game in the air, he will have to play one of the best games of his career, against one of the best defenses that’s taken the field in years. He is gonna have to be accurate, while getting the ball out fast, buying some time when the pocket collapses, and it will. Mahomes has an incredible amount of pressure on his shoulders, as all eyes are on Mahomes to perform well, JimmyG really has nothing to lose. Mahomes has all the skills as a passer and he lacks very little, if we are being honest, as the Chiefs have all the pieces in place if they don’t win…its all on Mahomes.
Kansas City has a different style QB with the 24 year old Mahomes but he has a subpar running game that gets him just 98 /game from the backfield. Wicked defense has been the backbone of the Niners team all season, the dominating pass rush is there. Not to mention Andy Reid never tends to get conservative, preferring to roll the dice with his big armed stud, who is expected to make the big plays when needed.
Jimmy Garoppolo has time, and has no pressure, he’s going into his 3rd start in a playoff game – and he isn’t the legendary QB yet like Mahomes already has on his head. Let’s be honest, no one expected San Fran and Jimmy Garoppolo to make it this far – nobody bought into Garoppolo carrying this team. Garoppolo has been able to get away with handing the ball off and watch his defense play, he needs just to keep doing what he’s been doing, just trust his RBs, trust his monstrous defense, make the smart plays when he needs to and convert the key 3rd down and short throws.
Simple.
Most preseason predictions had San Fran finishing around 3rd in the West. Coming off a 4-12 season in 2018, and only one caliber pass catcher in Deebo Samuel, and he was coming into his 1st season, and he wasn’t looked at, as being a dominant WR. The Niners having the dominating season they had, was great for the fanbase, then making the playoffs as a top seed was the topping.
Jimmy Garoppolo has a great chance to lead a team to a Superbowl win. This is his 3rd season with the team and just his first season starting 16 or more games in a year – they likely have many years of competing. Unfortunately for Garoppolo is if he doesn’t win this game – expect the media-wolves to come out and start banging on him, with the over-tired “Can he can get the job done” narrative.

Tyreek Hill was a huge steal for the Chiefs

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At a height of just 5-10 Tyreek Hill was a former WR for West Alabama – and in 2016 – Hill went into the NFL draft, where the Kansas City Chiefs picked him deep into the 5th round at 165th overall. He was a natural “raw” talent coming out in 2016 in the draft and was nowhere near seen as being as big a grab as he has been. The Chiefs did not whiff on their WR pick – like they did in 2015, with their Chris Conley pick in the 3rd round the year prior with a very unremarkable 1806 career receiving YDs and just 8 TDs in 64 games. Through his 1st 54 games, Hill is having an impact that even Hall of Famer WR, Marvin Harrison didn’t quite have at this age and stage. He has put up 3798 YDs and 30 TDs – and Harrison put up 3187 YDs and 29 TDs during the similar period in his career. There’s something to look at there, and now here we are – 4 years later, and Kansas City is reaping the great benefits of the 25 year old Tyreek Hill – while he is leading Kansas City to a 7-4 record, and a potential Super Bowl favorite.
A big reason for Kansas City’s success – has been the fantastic play of Tyreek Hill – Hill and his explosive game for Kansas City has been very impressive to watch every game. With many bigtime games in his 4 years in the league, he has already had 12 games of 100 YDs or more, and 23 games with a 17+ YPC or more as well. He has been far more than just a gimmick guy, but an incredibly valuable weapon that has the instinctual ability to take a 3 yard slant 90 yards in a flash – which has been his calling card. His electric speed is something more than the Chiefs expected in the game. WRs rarely develop such a quick adaptation of the game from college to the pro game – much less before their 26th birthday.
Hill is built for the big stage, and playing for Kansas City – he is always dealing with the big stage. A team that has been battling for the top spot in its division for years, and the ever dangerous QB, Patrick Mahomes. The speedy wideout has put up a huge 215 YDs vs the LA Rams and 169 YDs and 2 TDs vs division rival LA Chargers last year, with games like this under his belt, Hill has made a monstrous difference for Kansas City. He has been beyond just serviceable for the Chiefs – and I’m convinced that Hill is as good as he appears – with his big play ability and breaking speed. He has shown the eye popping ability to blow teams away deep and that he is a special weapon. He is more sure handed than many other WRs – with just around a 3% drop ratio – which also puts him ahead of star WRs, Odell Beckham and Keenan Allen currently.
Hill is something super special and easily one of the top WRs in the league. As always, with any great player – as long as the 5-10 WR stays healthy he will go down as one of the greats, and will very possibly end up in the HOF himself, someday. He will help lead his team to great places. This guy is only going to get better – he can already create immediate space – which is huge for any WRs. The Chiefs have to be beyond ecstatic they have him – because his brightest days are still ahead. We’ll see where things go for Hill and Kansas City – but I think the Chiefs should be very encouraged by the game Tyreek Hill has brought to their team.

Who has the most dangerous offense in the NFL

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There are a handful of teams that could make the case for having the best offense in the league this year. The Kansas City Chiefs and their lethal passing attack, the Los Angeles Rams and their balance, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wicked scoring are all worthy of conversation.
Being the best and most potent offense in the NFL isn’t an easy thing to do. With so many great players like Patrick Mahomes, Todd Gurley, and DeSean Jackson lighting it up for their teams, they are always a threat to bring offensive success to their teams.
There are so many variables that can be used to calculate and convey as to who is the best offensive team. So many things need to be considered from overall scoring, and yards, all the way to keeping sack pct down, and the teams efficiency. Looking at the league on the whole, VegasTopDogs will examine the top offensive teams and what they bring, and who is the best and most lethal monster that teams get concerned when they see them on the schedule. And on the Sunday afternoon, you know what you are stuck dealing with.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
The end result and driving goal of any NFL offense is to move the football effectively and score lots of points, with putting up 34ppg. The Bucs are a huge threat. So what better way to determine the most dangerous offense, than to examine the Buccaneers and their powerful scoring ability? Tampa Bay has put up the top passing yards/game and 34 pts/game over 3 games this season.
Tampa Bay beyond just being very good moving the ball, they take care of the ball really well. The Buccaneers also have a great and highly unexpected WR and QB connection – with 36 year old Ryan Fitzpatrick and fellow veteran WR, 32 year old DeSean Jackson, which has been a ton of fun to watch their rejuvenation. They lack any significant RB and a good running game, but they make up for it with sure handed O.J. Howard at TE, along with a strong OLine. Tampa Bay are great at devouring yards, and a revamped DeSean Jackson is making them extremely explosive, and has been making some big plays. And of course, we cannot forget the sure handed Mike Evans, he and Jackson are racking up massive yardage on the field, as the duo are a consistent threat to anyone they play. There guys have been generating some takeaways, as well, which gives the Buccaneers some good field position because of it.
Who wouldn’t like to have the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense so far?
Los Angeles Rams
There is an awesome balance on the Los Angeles Rams offense that’s not really seen through a whole lot of teams in terms of play calling and passing attempts to rushing attempts, but in different areas of moving the ball, and still calculating yards. QB Jared Goff has thrown for over 1400 yards and 11 TDs, and has completed a whopping 72% of his pass attempts. Many fans would love to have the Los Angeles offense taking the field for them. With Goff and steady TD threat, Todd Gurley – doing what they do, what fan in their right mind, wouldn’t feel super confident with them stepping on the gridiron?
One of the purest determining factors of the Rams making a genuine case to having the best offense in the NFL, is that they are 2nd the NFL in takeaway ratio at a +4 this season. They lead the league in avg net yards per drive at 46.9 – as they are great keeping the ball moving, and then they take it away, 2 winning combinations. One may immediately think that puts them as a prominent team based solely on defense, but it also directly points to an effective offense, that doesn’t turn the ball over a lot.
Kansas City Chiefs
Simply put, when an offense is able to move the ball on the ground and throwing through the air with the ridiculous ease that they are – and not turning the ball over, it’s obviously efficient. The Kansas City Chiefs are ahead of the rest of the league with their scoring prowess. When most teams are running passing plays and a lot of their offensive plays are run from some sub package formations, the Chiefs still get big plays from relatively standard formations. The Kansas City Chiefs have put together a receiving corps of excellence with numerous skill sets that are perfect for all of their packages with a lethal passing game for game situations.
The NFL’s most dominant TE, Travis Kelce, is coming off one of his most productive TD scoring season that he has had in 2017 – in his 6 year career. He leads this team in receptions, is 2nd in TDs, and is corralling 76 YDs/game. Kansas City would not be quite the high octane offensive team that they are without Kelce, and a new career high in TDs is likely, if all goes as it looks to be going.
Tyreek Hill is a very gifted, well rounded WR without any obvious weakness. He is the speed engine that makes this top ranked offense go on every Sunday. With him pumping along, explosive running option, Kareem Hunt, and Sammy Watkins are more than adequate enough as other options to move the ball for them.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are several notches below the Chiefs in the best offensive team category. The Kansas City Chiefs have turned the ball over even less than the Buccaneers and they have a younger more believable crew for the long haul than the Bucs have, which is why they are the biggest juggernauts when it comes to being dominant on the field. They are also better than the offense of the Rams, and they have proven it with having not scored less than 38 in a game yet and a higher pct of drives to end in scores.
There’s a reason the 23 year old, Patrick Mahomes has gotten so much well deserved attention, with 896YDs, a 67% completion rate, and a league leading 13 TD passes after just 3 games – he has been mind blowing to watch pass the ball. His gutsy sling into the end zone plays, and darting passes will fail (eventually) at times, but as of right now, he has been nothing short of magical. And with their passing attack, a running threat, and a well disciplined WR crew, the Chiefs are to be watched with very wary eyes as their firepower and scoring efficiency continues to grow.

Top 5 receiving crews heading into the 2018 NFL season

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As we know, the game has gone in the direction of being a QB league, with QBs putting up insane passing yards, that are mind-boggling. Changes always come around, and we are living through a very explosive offensive game these days. QB receiver connections are critical. This is indeed a hard time for DBs – to see if they can try to avoid getting twisted around on a crossing route or getting “too handsy” and giving up stupid penalties when trying to keep these teams under control with their deadly receiving combinations they will throw at them.
Some teams made some huge and exciting changes, adding great players, and on paper, look to have all the right pieces. But, there are always some trepidations, a few of the other potentially lethal receiving corps are;
The Cleveland Browns
With signing WR Jarvis Landry, and Dez Bryant, they added other talented players who get to work with exceptionally talented, but oft-troubled, Josh Gordon, the team could have a wicked receiving crew.
The Los Angeles Rams
Adding perennial open fielder, Brandin Cooks, who comes off a 16.6 YD/catch season with Robert Woods and excellent route runner, Cooper Kupp is going to be interesting.
The Green Bay Packers
Underrated WR Davante Adams just had another 10 TD season, add in a still dangerous, Jimmy Graham, and his 10 TD potential, with “perfect WR3” Randall Cobb, and his spot as the short option for future HoF’er, Aaron Rodgers…it could easily be a 35+ TD season for ARod.
But, they didn’t make the top 5.
So with that said, here we go to the teams that will, without a doubt, be your top 5…
5. Detroit Lions
With an excellent combined YDs / catch at 15.3 ypc with 2 of their top 3 receivers who can move the chains fast, in Marvin Jones Jr and Kenny Golladay – but Golladay is still just a 1 route guy, Golden Tate is a magnificent slot WR. Tate doesn’t have a dual real threat at TE across the middle, Stafford seems like he just throws the ball in his direction, and expects him to make the play. But they just keep giving steady results.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
With Big Ben firing the ball around, it makes some things better for these guys. The TE position is very weak but they have a real nice thing going with their WRs, and are led by their strong and very skilled WRs. We start with the best WR in the NFL, Antonio Brown, who is a yard producer, and TD producer, 21 year old JuJu Smith-Schuster brings big play ability and yard production. We all know AB is going to be dominant, regardless if he is double teamed or not. He is the best route runner, and to be honest, there is nothing he cannot do on the field. With AB on the other side, the sky is the limit for JuJu Smith-Schuster to get even better.
3. Minnesota Vikings
Case Keenum led this team at QB in 2017 with 22 TD passes. Let that sink in for a few brief moments. Between these three, they tallied 17 TDs between these guys, accounting for 77% of his 22 TD passes, in games he was throwing the ball. A career journeyman QB was better because of their outstanding WR play. They also have the benefit with experienced youth on their side. Target magnet, Adam Thielen, is only 27 , Stefon Diggs is 24, and the oldest guy, Kyle Rudolph, is 28. Adam and Diggs will return to their WRA, and WRA2 form and show why they are one of the best WR tandems to deal with. They can dominate secondaries in every aspect of the game. Now with 27+TD/year QB, Kirk Cousins throwing the ball, teams better be very careful, when they pick their poison.
2. New York Giants
Massive yardage ready to go.
Truly ridiculous skills here with this crew of receivers, with Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard, and Evan Engram. TE Evan Engram is on brink of being next bigtime TE. Firstly, we have to remember, OBJ one of the best WR in league, with 3 seasons of 1300 or more YDs, and 12 TDs/year average when healthy. Sterling Shepard is a great pass catcher, and route runner out of the slot, as he showed when had 8 TDs when OBJ was outside of him in 2016. Evan Engram is a 240 lb TE with incredible athleticism and unique way of exploding to the middle of the field, and he finds the end zone. And with Beckham getting back to the field, the Giants wont have to heavily rely on the younger guys as much, which is scary.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Here is the big shocker for the list.
This squad is led by ultra speed demon, Tyreek Hill, who lit up defenders for 15.8 YPC, and 1183 yards, including 9 games of averaging 17 ypc or more. Their TE, Travis Kelce, is the best TE in the league now, can we all just admit this yet? Gronk is no longer exclusively “the TE” – Travis Kelce has replaced him. Sammy Watkins and his instinctive nose for the end zone was shown in spades when playing for the Rams last year, with no other top notch WR to take eyes off of him. Now, in KC, Sammy Watkins will be able to move around a little more freely, with Tyreek Hill taking the top off things, which is absolutely going to be terrifying for DBs. Because Sammy isnt a slow WR, by any means, with career YPC numbers of 15.9 – he also generates serious speed. Hill has already shown that he can be a top weapon as he had 1183 yards last year with career “game manager” Alex Smith throwing to him. It will be huge for Mahomes’ development to be able to throw the ball to these guys in 2018. So expect big things from Hill and this crew this NFL Football season

Do you think Jamaal Charles should be included in the MVP conversation?

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NFL: Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs

With all the great things happening this 2013 season, with some amazing numbers being thrown around, Peyton Mannings ridiculous start to the season, of course comes immediately to mind and was easily and by far the early heavy favorite as the NFL MVP this season. But since week 8, Manning actually has been somewhat earthly in those games.

Tom Brady, of course, as seemingly always is in the conversation, leading a team full of parking lot attendants to a top notch sided record, his numbers have been down for brady-standards, with only an 88.0 QB rating. But still when it comes to leadership, is there anyone else, seriously that you would trust more leading your team down the field, with 2 minutes left, trailing by 6? I would take Brady over anyone else. With 37 game winning drives in his career, yea, I’ll take those odds in my favor.

I know there is a lot of love out there as well for Cam Newton, and his breakout season as a leader on the field, his maturity is still questioned, as far as I’m concerned. And his numbers aren’t what other top end QBs are doing, and still several issues with his passing consistency.

Don’t get me wrong, there are defensive players who should be considered as well for MVP, but looking at the numbers, the last defensive player to win an MVP award was Lawrence Taylor back in 1986. Certainly a little while ago. And also as history has shown us previously, since 1982, 22 times it has been a QB, 9 a RB, and oddly enough, never a WR, so we know whats the most likely scenario. A QB in all probability will win it, but the RBs have made some real serious objections, with 3 winners in the last 8 years.

With reigning MVP Adrian Peterson, while having a very good season by normal RB standards, is not having an MVP season, and an unusual down year for AP. What other RB options are there? Let’s bring it back around to my underrated RB Jamaal Charles.

Charles has been fantastic in 2013. with 1162 YDs rushing, and 10 rushing TDs this season. His Kansas City Chiefs have been taking the NFL by storm. Granted, new head Coach, Andy Reid, has a lot to do with the teams change, but one thing has remained, Jamaal Charles has been a great Chief for the last 6 seasons. And sure enough, Andy Reid has used Charles, almost indistinguishable as he used Brian Westbrook when he was in Philadelphia. But Charles is so much more dangerous, toss out the screen pass, and let him go. He’s on pace for almost 2000 total yards in 2013, which would be phenomenal.

Especially with the fact that the Chiefs use the running game to set up their offense, puts that much more pressure on him to keep the chains moving, with game manager, Alex Smith at QB.

So, like other star RBs in the league, containing Charles is always a top priority. Yet is still getting it done, being held to no less than 55 YDs rushing in a game this season.

Charles has gone over 1,000 rushing yards for the 4th time in his Chiefs career. A Kansas City record, he has been everything and more for the franchise. Ranking currently 3rd all time for the Chiefs. And this all coming as well from a guy who missed basically all of 2011, with his ACL injury.

The 26 year old has also been in the top 5 in the NFL this season for receptions by a running back. He has led the Chiefs to a 9 game winning streak in the NFL this season, by pounding the rock with his blinding speed and straight rocket running through the holes burst. When he breaks off a run, once he hits the open field, he can take it to the house on anyone.

So, yes, do I think Charles should be considered for the NFL MVP? Without question, his season has been amazing, and what he brings to the team is something that is special. If he wasn’t there doing what he does, I honestly don’t see the the Chiefs being anywhere near the top of the heap, as they are now.

Written by TonyK of VegasTopDogs.com