Tag: Chiefs

Sep 19, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (25) fumbles as Baltimore Ravens defender se recovers during the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens secure win over Chiefs after Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s late-game fumble

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Odafe Oweh recovered a fumble with 1:20 remaining Sunday, allowing the Baltimore Ravens to stop the last possession by Kansas City and beat the Chiefs 36-35 at Baltimore.

The fumble by the Chiefs’ Clyde Edwards-Helaire enabled Lamar Jackson to ice the upset with a fourth-down keeper, moving the chains and letting Baltimore run out the clock.

Jackson overcame two first-quarter interceptions, including one for a pick-six, to pass for 239 yards, rush for 107 and account for three touchdowns, rallying Baltimore from an 11-point deficit.

Although the Ravens played short-handed with 16 players already on injured reserve, Jackson willed his first victory in four matchups against Patrick Mahomes and the two-time defending AFC champion Chiefs.

Jackson scored on a 1-yard rush with 3:14 left, taking Baltimore on an 8-minute drive that took 14 plays, including five keepers by its quarterback. The Chiefs reached the 32 and seemed to be in good shape after the Ravens wasted two, time outs earlier in the half.

However, Kansas City turned it over on Edward-Helaire’s miscue.

Ty’Son Williams added 77 yards on 13 carries, while Marquise Brown led the Ravens’ receivers with six grabs for 113 yards.

Mahomes completed passes to nine receivers, passing for 343 yards and three touchdowns, but threw the first September interception of his career. Kelce caught seven balls for 109 yards. His 46-yard touchdown with 6:50 left in the third quarter provided a 35-24 lead but the Chiefs did not score again.

Tyrann Mathieu raced 34 yards with a pick-six on Baltimore’s third offensive snap and later in the first quarter intercepted Jackson in the end zone. Mahomes completed his first six attempts, the first five on a TD drive he capped with a 33-yard strike to Demarcus Robinson.

Mahomes went 4-for-4 on Kansas City’s other first-half scoring drive, setting up a 2-yard TD burst by Darrel Williams with 51 seconds left and would settle for a 21-17 halftime margin.

The Ravens overcame the early pick-six with a touchdown Devin Duvernay scored after snagging an airborne fumble by Ty’Son Williams. They forged a 14-14 tie on a 5-yard carry by Latavius Murray before driving 50 yards in 48 seconds for a 43-yard field goal by Justin Tucker with 3 seconds left.

— Field Level Media

Sep 12, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) rolls out to pass against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs heavily backed as road favorite vs. Ravens

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The “heat of the moment,” as described by Kansas City tackle Orlando Brown Jr., can turn into an explosive fire when Patrick Mahomes happens to be quarterbacking your team.

That’s something Brown discovered first-hand along the reconstructed Kansas City offensive front as the Chiefs (1-0) pulled off a fourth-quarter rally to win their opener and now face a Sunday night test at Baltimore against Brown’s former team, the Ravens (0-1).

“That’s what this team is, it’s a ton of resilience, a lot of talent, and Patrick is the best ever at what he does. This is a team you should never count out,” said Brown, who insisted he must play better while continuing to gel within a line that includes three rookie starters.

To improve immediately, he must dismiss any nostalgia he feels while performing against his former team in a stadium where he also watched his father play.

“I’ll be very emotional, but I plan on letting my emotions play for themselves,” Brown said.

That and continue to trust in Mahomes, who fired three touchdown passes in the second half and finished with 337 yards executing a 33-29 comeback against the Cleveland Browns. Mahomes took two sacks. His most dazzling throw, a 75-yard scoring bomb to Tyreek Hill, came while eluding pressure.

When asked how he clicked with his new line, Mahomes accepted blame on some pressures while acknowledging he could see a variety of blitzes from the Ravens, who feature rangy linebacker Patrick Queen.

“I’ve got to work on just the depth of my drop,” Mahomes said. “It’s something I always have to work on, just not fading back too much.”

The Chiefs are 3.5-point favorites at DraftKings, where they have been backed by 92 percent of the money and 86 percent of the total bets. Their -210 moneyline has also drawn one-sided action with Kansas City supported by 82 percent of the money and 89 percent of the bets.

The story is similar at PointsBet, where the line opened at 3.0 points but now sits at 3.5. The Chiefs’ spread line is being backed by 89 percent of the money and 88 percent of the bets.

Brown won’t be the only player sharing intel with a new team. Sammy Watkins moved on to Baltimore after contributing to Super Bowl runs by Kansas City the past two seasons. Watkins had four receptions for 96 yards in the Ravens’ opener, a 33-27 overtime loss Monday at Las Vegas.

“The best thing is we get to play against one of the best teams in the NFL,” Watkins said. “We’ve just got to come out and clean things up in practice. … We get to redeem ourselves.”

Any duel between Mahomes and Lamar Jackson creates considerable attention, but the Ravens’ quarterback knows that he must exercise more caution after losing two fumbles in the opener. The second turnover launched the Raiders’ game-winning drive.

“That ticked me off. I hate any turnover,” said Jackson, adding that “we’ve got to move on quick. Everybody hates losing. It’s going to be a quick turnaround, though.”

Maybe that short timeframe enables Jackson not to dwell on memories of three defeats in three meetings against Mahomes and the Chiefs. Jackson must continue to improvise with a patchwork offense that still must cope with the loss of three running backs to injuries prior to the opener.

Against the Raiders, Ty’son Williams stepped up and recorded 65 yards and a touchdown on nine carries, while adding three receptions for 29 yards. Jackson, the first NFL quarterback to post 1,000 yards rushing in two seasons, gained 86 yards while averaging 7.2 yards per carry.

Injuries have led to eight Ravens being placed on injured reserve, including Tyre Phillips, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the opener.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid reported no injuries as the practice week began. The Chiefs’ Tyrann Mathieu should be available after he missed the opener coming off COVID-19 protocol. Frank Clark also sat out with a strained hamstring.

The public is expecting somewhat of a shootout with the 53.5-point Over/Under at DraftKing seeing the Over supported by 79 percent of the money and 83 percent of the bets. The same market at PointsBet opened at 55 before moving to 53.5, with 82 percent of the money and 81 percent of the bets backing the Over.

–Field Level Media

Aug 20, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) hugs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy during the second half of the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy keeping focus on Ravens, not USC

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Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy on Thursday sidestepped questions about whether he has any interest in the head coach opening at Southern Cal.

“I am where my feet are,” Bieniemy told reporters, adding that his “job right now is to make sure that we’re preparing for this weekend’s opponent.”

The Chiefs (1-0) play the Baltimore Ravens (0-1) in Week 2.

“If USC reached out to me right now, my answer would be ‘I am preparing for this team to play against the Baltimore Ravens.’ That’s how I roll.”

The Trojans fired former coach Clay Helton earlier this week. Bieniemy was asked about the opening in the aftermath of an ESPN report pegging the longtime assistant as a candidate. Bieniemy went to high school in the Los Angeles area before playing collegiately at Colorado.

Bieniemy has interviewed for several NFL head coach openings but has yet to land one. Bieniemy has been an assistant with the Chiefs since 2013, first as running backs coach before taking over as OC in 2018.

He’s been an assistant coach at his alma mater two different times, first as the RBs coach (2001-02) and then as OC (2011-12). He also coached RBs at UCLA from 2003-05.

–Field Level Media

Aug 27, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Kansas City Chiefs helmet during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

April trial date set for ex-Chiefs assistant Britt Reid

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The trial of former Kansas City Chiefs assistant coach Britt Reid, who is facing a felony driving while intoxicated charge, is scheduled for April 18.

The date was set Thursday morning at a virtual hearing. Reid and his attorney, J.R. Hobbs, participated by videoconference.

The charges stem from a Feb. 4 incident, when Reid is alleged to have been driving drunk when he hit two cars that were stopped on the side of an entrance ramp to Interstate 435. The wreck left a 5-year-old girl with a traumatic brain injury, and injured another child.

If convicted of the Class D felony, Reid, 36, could be sentenced up to seven years in prison. He is the son of Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who hired him to coach linebackers.

Charges were filed April 12. He entered a not guilty plea.

Kansas City prosecutors say Reid had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.113 from a sample taken two hours after he barreled into a disabled vehicle on I-435. Reid was driving 83.9 miles per hour — in a posted 65 mph zone — 1.9 seconds before slamming into the vehicle, per the probable cause statement form made public earlier this year.

Reid suffered blunt force trauma to his groin in the accident, which required emergency surgery, per the filing.

He initially was placed on administrative leave by the Chiefs before the organization decided against renewing his contract.

–Field Level Media

Sep 13, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Sammy Watkins (14) runs the ball ahead of Las Vegas Raiders inside linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski (44) during the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Familiarity may give neither team edge in Chiefs-Ravens

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The “heat of the moment,” as described by Kansas City tackle Orlando Brown Jr., can turn into an explosive fire when Patrick Mahomes happens to be quarterbacking your team.

That’s something Brown discovered first-hand along the reconstructed Kansas City offensive front as the Chiefs (1-0) pulled off a fourth-quarter rally to win their opener and now face a Sunday night test at Baltimore against Brown’s former team, the Ravens (0-1).

“That’s what this team is, it’s a ton of resilience, a lot of talent, and Patrick is the best ever at what he does. This is a team you should never count out,” said Brown, who insisted he must play better while continuing to gel within a line that includes three rookie starters.

To improve immediately, he must dismiss any nostalgia he feels while performing against his former team in a stadium where he also watched his father play.

“I’ll be very emotional, but I plan on letting my emotions play for themselves,” Brown said.

That and continue to trust in Mahomes, who fired three touchdown passes in the second half and finished with 337 yards executing a 33-29 comeback against the Cleveland Browns. Mahomes took two sacks. His most dazzling throw, a 75-yard scoring bomb to Tyreek Hill, came while eluding pressure.

When asked how he clicked with his new line, Mahomes accepted blame on some pressures while acknowledging he could see a variety of blitzes from the Ravens, who feature rangy linebacker Patrick Queen.

“I’ve got to work on just the depth of my drop,” Mahomes said. “It’s something I always have to work on, just not fading back too much.”

Brown won’t be the only player sharing intel with a new team. Sammy Watkins moved on to Baltimore after contributing to Super Bowl runs by Kansas City the past two seasons. Watkins had four receptions for 96 yards in the Ravens’ opener, a 33-27 overtime loss Monday at Las Vegas.

“The best thing is we get to play against one of the best teams in the NFL,” Watkins said. “We’ve just got to come out and clean things up in practice. … We get to redeem ourselves.”

Any duel between Mahomes and Lamar Jackson creates considerable attention, but the Ravens’ quarterback knows that he must exercise more caution after losing two fumbles in the opener. The second turnover launched the Raiders’ game-winning drive.

“That ticked me off. I hate any turnover,” said Jackson, adding that “we’ve got to move on quick. Everybody hates losing. It’s going to be a quick turnaround, though.”

Maybe that short timeframe enables Jackson not to dwell on memories of three defeats in three meetings against Mahomes and the Chiefs. Jackson must continue to improvise with a patchwork offense that still must cope with the loss of three running backs to injuries prior to the opener.

Against the Raiders, Ty’son Williams stepped up and recorded 65 yards and a touchdown on nine carries, while adding three receptions for 29 yards. Jackson, the first NFL quarterback to post 1,000 yards rushing in two seasons, gained 86 yards while averaging 7.2 yards per carry.

Injuries have led to eight Ravens being placed on injured reserve, including Tyre Phillips, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the opener.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid reported no injuries as the practice week began. The Chiefs’ Tyrann Mathieu should be available after he missed the opener coming off COVID-19 protocol. Frank Clark also sat out with a strained hamstring.

–Field Level Media

Jan 24, 2021; Kansas City, MO, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie (19) runs between Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Tyrann Mathieu (32), defensive end Frank Clark (55) and free safety Daniel Sorensen (49) during the fourth quarter in the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs S Tyrann Mathieu, DE Frank Clark return to practice

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Safety Tyrann Mathieu is back at practice and should be in the lineup when the Kansas City Chiefs meet the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night, coach Andy Reid said.

Reid said before practice Wednesday the Chiefs would have full participation and no injury concerns. That includes defensive end Frank Clark, who was inactive last week with a hamstring injury.

Mathieu was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list and did not play in Kansas City’s Week 1 victory over the Cleveland Browns.

Mathieu wanted to return last week, but Reid cited conditioning as the primary reason he remained inactive.

In the final year of a three-year contract, Mathieu has said he hopes to work out a long-term deal before free agency arrives in March. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has concurred.

–Field Level Media

Sep 12, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27) and quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) celebrate after a successful two point conversion against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs use fourth-quarter magic to edge Browns

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Patrick Mahomes passed for 337 yards and three touchdowns Sunday, all in the second half, as the Kansas City Chiefs didn’t lead until the fourth quarter but edged the Cleveland Browns 33-29 at Kansas City, Mo.

Cleveland punter Jamie Gillan failed to handle a snap with 8:42 left in the fourth quarter, and the Chiefs tackled him for a fourth-down loss at the Browns’ 15. Mahomes connected with Travis Kelce three plays later for an 8-yard touchdown and a 33-29 lead with 7:04 remaining.

The rally gave the Chiefs their 15th consecutive September victory as they begin their quest for a third straight AFC title. Mahomes finished 27-of-36 while also throwing an 11-yard TD to Kelce and a 75-yard scoring bomb to Tyreek Hill.

Baker Mayfield played brilliantly, passing for 321 yards while going 21-of-28 to fuel the Browns, who lost at Kansas City in the divisional round of the AFC playoffs last season.

But the botched punt (the first time the Browns attempted one) and another second-half turnover proved costly before Mayfield threw an interception to end Cleveland’s final drive.

Two straight three-and-outs in the fourth quarter enabled the Chiefs’ defense to atone for a 457-yard output by the Browns. Mike Hughes snagged the interception that sealed the outcome with 1:16 left and the Browns at midfield.

The Browns’ Nick Chubb added a game-high 83 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

Cleveland scored touchdowns on each of its first three possessions to grab a 22-10 halftime lead with a 9.9-yard average per snap. Chubb produced scores off carries of 4 and 18 yards.

The Browns converted a fourth-and-3 from the Kansas City 15 on their first drive. After Chubb’s TD, Cleveland added a two-point conversion leap by Kareem Hunt to go up 8-0.

That was only the beginning, as the Browns amassed 318 first-half yards and even gained 45 on their last snap with a series of laterals trying to tack on another score. Mayfield completed nine straight passes during one stretch and fired for 186 first-half yards.

Browns safety Ronnie Harrison Jr. was ejected after he shoved a Chiefs assistant during a first-quarter sideline scuffle that led to personal fouls on both teams.

–Field Level Media

Jan 17, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) is introduced before an AFC Divisional Round playoff game against the Cleveland Browns at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs S Tyrann Mathieu remains out with COVID-19

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Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu did not practice on Friday and his availability for Kansas City’s matchup with the Cleveland Browns on Sunday is up in the air.

Friday was the ninth day since Mathieu tested positive for COVID-19. He is participating in team and position meetings via Zoom.

Mathieu, 29, was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Sept. 1. He’s reportedly vaccinated, meaning to rejoin the team he would need two negative tests more than 24 hours apart and to be asymptomatic.

It’s unclear which of those prevented him from practicing this week.

The Chiefs are preparing to play without Mathieu on Sunday but holding out hope that he will be cleared.

“It’s up in the air and it’s a little bit challenging to game plan for,” Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said Thursday. “We’ve got Plan A and Plan B.”

Barring a roster move, Plan B would come from some combination of Daniel Sorensen, Juan Thornhill and Armani Watts at safety.

–Field Level Media

Aug 27, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) warms up against the Minnesota Vikings before the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Tyrann Mathieu’s status for Week 1 ‘up in the air’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Kansas City Chiefs star safety Tyrann Mathieu missed another practice Thursday after testing positive for COVID-19, putting his status in question for the team’s season opener.

Mathieu, 29, was put on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Sept. 1. He’s reportedly vaccinated, so all he needs to rejoin the team is two negative tests more than 24 hours apart and to be asymptomatic. It’s unclear which of those prevents him from practicing.

What is clear is that the Chiefs are planning to play without Mathieu against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday while holding out hope that he will.

“It’s up in the air and it’s a little bit challenging to game plan for,” Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said Thursday. “We’ve got Plan A and Plan B.”

Plan B would have to come from some combination of Daniel Sorensen, Juan Thornhill and Armani Watts at safety.

But Mathieu has at least been a part of Spagnuolo’s defensive meetings virtually.

“Thank God we’re way ahead in this whole Zoom thing,” Spagnuolo said. “Otherwise we’d be trying to figure out (how to coach him). The camera sits right in front of me as I address (the defense) and he’s right there. I get to talk to him a little bit in the meetings. He hasn’t missed a beat.”

Mathieu is coming off the third All-Pro season of his career. He intercepted a career-high six passes in 2020 and started 15 games, missing Week 17 when the team rested its regulars. Other than that, he has not missed a game the past four seasons.

Mathieu has 23 career interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Aug 27, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) goes under center Creed Humphrey (52) against the Minnesota Vikings during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs to debut retooled O-line in opener vs. Browns

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The most significant concern buzzing around the Kansas City Chiefs preseason camp involved improvement needed along the offensive line.

In particular, better protection is a must to spare Patrick Mahomes from being battered like he was in a lopsided Super Bowl defeat. Results from a complete overhaul up front will begin to surface Sunday when Kansas City opens the season at home against the Cleveland Browns.

“I think that whole offensive line group has really brought out the best in each other and competed this entire camp. I’m excited to go out there and show it off Week 1,” said Mahomes, who was pressured a withering 29 times by Tampa Bay defenders in a 31-9 Super Bowl beatdown.

Further development along the line, which added the likes of Pro Bowler Orlando Brown Jr. and a second-round rookie, Creed Humphrey, could well determine Kansas City’s fate. The Chiefs will bid for a third consecutive AFC Championship and sixth straight AFC West crown.

Weapons galore return for Kansas City’s prolific attack, beginning with Mahomes, who carries a touchdown-to-interception ratio of plus-90 as he enters his fifth season. He trailed only Deshaun Watson in passing yards last season with 4,740, while Travis Kelce set an NFL receiving record for tight ends with 1,416 yards.

Tyreek Hill remains a speedy mismatch Mahomes looks to exploit, while Clyde Edwards-Helaire is coming off an 803-yard rushing output as a rookie. Edwards-Helaire declared himself “100 percent healthy” after suffering an ankle injury in the preseason.

The Chiefs have won 14 consecutive games in September, a month that also finds Mahomes 10-0 as a starter. However, Kansas City coach Andy Reid knows that the offensive line will be a focal point, particularly with three rookies manning the center and guard positions against a stout Cleveland defensive front.

“That’ll be a fun one to watch because their interior players are real good and experienced,” Reid said. “It’ll be a great experience for our guys to have the opportunity to play against them, being as young as they are.”

Last season, the Browns advanced to the playoffs for the third time in 27 seasons, going 11-5. The Chiefs ousted them in the divisional round 22-17 despite an injury suffered by Mahomes.

Keeping Mahomes from engineering a ton of possessions could be a strategic move for Cleveland, having finished third in the NFL in rushing last season behind Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.

Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who suffered a torn ACL last October, appears healthy and will be one of the receivers Baker Mayfield targets. The former Heisman Trophy winner improved his passing efficiency a year ago by completing 62.8 percent of his attempts, with 26 touchdowns against eight interceptions.

“We have the bread and butter, the fundamentals, the schemes that we know we’re good at,” Mayfield said. “We need to keep building off those and do those extremely well.”

A defensive makeover for the Browns included the signing of six free agents headed by Jadeveon Clowney, as well as two draft picks expected to start in the opener, Greg Newsome II and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.

“The people we’ve brought in and the pieces, culture-wise, it’s been great for the team and franchise,” Mayfield said. “It needs to continue to head that way, and that’s one of my biggest jobs.”

An illness prevented Clowney from practicing at the beginning of the week, though he tested negative for COVID-19.

The Chiefs’ Tyrann Mathieu remained in COVID-19 protocol to begin weekly workouts. Reid indicated Mathieu would not necessarily need to practice to play Sunday, if cleared. Another defender, Frank Clark, is dealing with a strained hamstring.

–Field Level Media