Dee Ford, Sammy Watkins stand out for Chiefs in win over Broncos

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the rival Denver Broncos in what could be considered wide receiver Sammy Watkins‘ breakout game.

Welcome to the Week 8 edition of our Kansas City Chiefs weekly player awards, where we focus on which players are on the rise and the top performers of the game on both sides of the ball.

The Chiefs kept the steam engine rolling ’round the bend, sweeping the Denver Broncos in their second and final matchup of the regular season. The offense performed just as you’d expect them to, with players stepping up when it was needed most. The defense stepped up as well, tallying five total sacks. Three of which came from one player, who had an outstanding performance.

Player on the Rise: Offense

Even though the offensive line collectively allowed 2 sacks, they held up when needed against a vaunted pass rush in Broncos edge rushers Bradley Chubb and Von Miller. They did all of this while being down the starting right guard and starting center.

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Center Austin Reiter filled in rather nicely, although there were some mistakes to be had as quarterback Patrick Mahomes adjusted to the new center. Nonetheless, it was a decent performance by a banged up offensive line.

Player on the Rise: Defense

Chiefs cornerback Kendall Fuller had a decent performance in Week 8. He had nearly 2 interceptions, although he was only able to come down with one. The interception was quite a beauty if I do say so myself, however. Fuller has been rather quiet in his first 8 games as a Chief. He’s quietly been able to perform nicely, with Pro Football Focus ranking him as the #28th cornerback in the league.

While this isn’t necessarily a spectacular feat, it’s nice to see things coming together for the young defensive back. With the struggles the Chiefs have had on defense, particularly in the secondary, they need any help they can get.

5 total tackles (3 solos, 2 assisted)
1 pass defended
1 interception

RUNNER-UP: Dorian O’Daniel (3 total tackles, 1 tackle-for-loss)

Player of the Week: Offense

Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins had a dominating performance in the win against the Denver Broncos. With fellow wideout Tyreek Hill dealing with an injury, Watkins stepped up and led the team in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. He may not provide the same eloquent display we saw in Week 8, but I think it’s safe to assume this could be considered a coming out party for Watkins.

Hill is still struggling with the injury, and if he’s unable to play in Week 9, I could see a repeat performance by Watkins happening. He’s a very talented receiver who some say was overpaid – which is hard to disagree with. It’s nice to see him put up numbers and reassure us that he still has it.

8 receptions
107 receiving yards
2 touchdowns

RUNNER-UP: Patrick Mahomes (24-of-34, 303 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, 1 interception)

Player of the Week: Defense

There’s really only one player that I can put here. If I don’t list him, I lose any and all credibility that I have. Even if he’s just performing lights-out because it’s a contract season for him, outside linebacker Dee Ford has been absolutely dominant in the first 8 games. He’s been nothing short of it, with 8 sacks on the year and 45 quarterback pressures.

He’s been referred to as the best edge rusher so far this season, at least as far as statistics go. He’s stepped up when needed, providing a fire to the defense that I honestly don’t think would otherwise be there if he wasn’t on the field.

4 solo tackles
3 quarterback sacks
2 forced fumbles
8 quarterback pressures

RUNNER-UP: Breeland Speaks (4 total tackles, 1 tackle-for-loss, 1 QB sack, 1 fumble recovery)

The Wrap

For the second straight week, the disappointments of the week are nonexistent. Pretty much everyone on both side of the ball performed great, stepping up when needed. All in all, it was a valiant effort by the entire team. Heck, even Bob Sutton looked good for the most part.

Although he’s thrown more interceptions recently than I’m sure he’d like to have thrown, quarterback Patrick Mahomes has played at a stellar level. Whether or not he can continue to do this all season is unknown, but I’d lean my answer toward yes. The Chiefs haven’t had a franchise quarterback in a long time. They haven’t had that quarterback that can lead them to the promised land, which happens to be in Atlanta this season.

If I was a betting man (I totally am), I would put money on Mahomes leading the team to their first Super Bowl in several decades. What better way to prove doubters wrong than to win it all? If anyone can do it, it’s Mahomes.

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Dee Ford had an outstanding performance in Week 8, his 3 sacks put him just 2.5 sacks shy of his career season-high. As mentioned earlier in this article, whether or not he’s performing this way purely because of his contract season is up in the air. Whatever the case may be, though, it’s a perfect time for him to want to get paid. The Chiefs have a legitimate shot at SB LIII this year.

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