Kansas City Chiefs must find relief against Washington on Sunday
At 2-3, the Kansas City Chiefs must find a way to snag a win in the nation’s capital against a banged-up Washington team.
If you bet with friends on the Kansas City Chiefs starting 2-3, you’d have made good money.
The Chiefs, two-time defending AFC champions with a title included, are sitting alone in last place of the competitive AFC West. They’re coming off perhaps the most thorough defeat of the Patrick Mahomes era — and the only regular-season loss by more than one score — with a 38-20 demolition by the Buffalo Bills.
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Now, entering Sunday, Kansas City finds itself in a position it hasn’t been in for years. It’s desperate.
Already staring at an almost impossible hill for the No. 1 seed and a two-game deficit in the West behind the Los Angeles Chargers, now is the time to make a move. Following a brutal five-game stretch to begin the season which included the Chargers, Bills, Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns, the Chiefs are entering a softer three-game portion of the docket.
It starts on Sunday, with Washington before matchups against the Tennessee Titans and one-win New York Giants.
Against the Football Team, the Chiefs see a wounded group with nothing but concern. Washington is without star guard Brandon Scherff, right tackle Sam Cosmi, receiver Curtis Samuel, tight end Logan Thomas and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Defensively, the unit is largely healthy but it’s been one of the league’s worst through five games, despite ample talent.
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In short, this is the kind of game where the Chiefs, when rolling right, should win easily. If they falter here, it’s time to sound every alarm bell.
After throwing six interceptions over the past three weeks, Patrick Mahomes is due for a monster performance. Against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4, Mahomes launched five touchdowns but his momentum was stunted with a pair of picks against Buffalo. Now facing one of the league’s lousiest units, Mahomes should rebound with receivers Tyreek Hill, Josh Gordon and Mecole Hardman, and tight end Travis Kelce.
Of course, Mahomes’ brilliance won’t matter if the Kansas City defense continues to struggle at a historic rate. Washington should be able to move the ball at will, as the Chiefs have been awful against the pass and run, while blowing assignments and struggling against the run.
For the Chiefs, this is their version of armageddon. Win in Washington, or face the reality of extinction in 2021.
