Winners and Losers from the Chiefs victory over Chargers

The Kansas City Chiefs escaped Los Angeles with a 24-10 victory over the Chargers. Here are the winners and losers from Sunday’s victory.

The Kansas City Chiefs enjoyed a road victory over the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, their first AFC West game of the 2017 season. Despite the final score, the game was far more competitive than that and the Chiefs displayed some conservative moments on offense that failed to get much going, save for rookie running back Kareem Hunt. Here are the winners and losers from Carson, California.

Winners

Kareem Hunt

Man, what else is there to say about Hunt. This is now three games in a row that Hunt has been a one man wrecking crew. The Chiefs have not had a game-changing runner like this since Jamaal Charles went down two years ago. With 183 total yards and a score vs the Chargers, Hunt is on pace for one of the greatest season’s by a rookie running back in history. As it stands now, Hunt has a serious case for MVP.

Marcus Peters

Look at this stat line for Peters.

Marcus Peters in coverage today:
7 times thrown at
3 catches allowed
20 yards
1 interception
1 pass breakup
10.7 passer rating allowed
— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) September 25, 2017

Peters is an ELITE corner in this game. It’s true that Peters will still occasionally let his emotions get the best of him, which he did today. But he has only continued to mature and improve his play over the last two seasons. Peters is a very special player.

Terrance Mitchell

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Sunday was a good overall game for Mitchell. He gave up a couple of big plays, but also showcased some ball skills that I did not know he possessed. Mitchell’s two interceptions in the first half were the difference-makers in this game. The cornerback has taken his lumps, but he is learning. I believe he has shown improvement each week. He is doing the very best he can with the insane amount of targets he is getting opposite Peters.

Justin Houston

Justin Houston is back! I think after all the time he missed the last two years, we forgot just how good Houston is. He was incredible in run defense yet again, and recorded his fourth sack of the season when the Chargers were driving late in the game. This defense is a whole different monster when Houston is on the field.

Alex Smith

Decent game for Smith. The important thing in games like this is to take care of the football. Smith could very well have made some killer mistakes the way he was being pressured all afternoon. Smith did what Andy Reid asks of him, he made a couple of plays and didn’t lose the game.

Losers

Offensive Line

The offensive line was not good. Mitch Morse’s absence was clearly felt. Alex Smith was running for his life all afternoon and it nearly cost them. This group needs to rebound next week vs Washington.

Travis Kelce

This one is more of an overlap from the penalties in the first two games. I can’t help but think that Kelce was being disciplined by Reid in this game. The Chargers are weak at linebacker and in the secondary, Kelce could have shredded them. He clearly was not part of the offensive game plan.

Undisciplined players (again)

Whew. These penalties are becoming a problem. Thirteen penalties for 122 yards is unacceptable. This is so unlike an Andy Reid team to play this undisciplined, I know he will straighten them out. If these penalties aren’t cleaned up, it will cost Kansas City sooner rather than later.

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