It’s time to hand out our weekly Chiefs player awards after one of the most entertaining (and high-scoring) games in NFL history against the Rams.
Welcome to the Week 11 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.
Monday Night Football showcased a game for the ages in Week 11 as the L.A. Rams got the best of the Kansas City Chiefs in a 54-51 win. It was the first time in NFL history that two teams each scored at least 50 points in a single matchup. The Chiefs would have liked to have won this one, but it was a hard-fought loss nonetheless. Several players, both on defense and offense, stepped up when necessary.
Perhaps the score could have been less close, however. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes struggled against opposing defensive lineman Aaron Donald and outside linebacker Samson Ebukam, whose pressure generated had led to 5 total turnovers by the first-year starter. Mahomes wouldn’t let that get him down, however, as he continued to fight until the very last play. The young gunslinger finished with 6 touchdowns and 3 interceptions, something that had only been done once, previously done by legendary Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson.
Player on the Rise: Offense
Chiefs wide receiver Chris Conley proved he can step up when his name is called. He finished with season-highs in receiving yards, receptions, and touchdowns. The increase in targets most probably has to do with Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins seeing limited snaps. Nonetheless, Conley was able to step up when it mattered most.
Although they didn’t get the win, the Chiefs enjoyed calling upon its third wide receiver to keep up with the Rams.
- 7 receptions
- 74 receiving yards
- 2 receiving touchdowns
RUNNER-UP: Demarcus Robinson (1 reception, 14 yards)
Player on the Rise: Defense
Chiefs fans may or may not know who this next player is. Nose tackle Xavier Williams caught opposing quarterback Jared Goff for his second sack of the season, helping the defense in whichever way he could. Although the Chiefs fell short, the defense tried its darndest to hold up, and Williams has continued to get better as the year progresses.
- 4 total tackles
- 3 solo tackles
- 1 assisted
- 1 sack
RUNNER-UP: Allen Bailey (1 solo tackle, 1 sack)
Player of the Week: Offense
In what could be considered a career day for the electrifying wide receiver, Tyreek Hill had a total of 215 receiving yards, the first time he has gone over 200 yards in his career, subsequently the most in a single game of his young career. He proved his excellence as the Chiefs #1 wide receiver, although his actions on special teams proved to be costly for the Chiefs offense.
Hill has almost already reached his season total in receiving yards for the 2017 season, and already has 4 more touchdowns than he did all of last year. I wouldn’t expect his production to slow down any time soon, especially in the playoffs.
- 10 receptions
- 215 receiving yards
- 2 receiving touchdowns
RUNNER-UP: Travis Kelce (10 receptions, 127 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown)
Player of the Week: Defense
Chiefs interior lineman Chris Jones had a career day as well on the other side of the ball. Jones seemed to always be near Goff, doing his best to help the defense out in whatever way he can. Jones has 46 total pressures on the season, which is tied for 3rd-most among interior defensive linemen. He trails only Eagles DL Fletcher Cox and Rams DL Aaron Donald.
An excellent performance was perhaps one of the best of his young career. Jones is going to need to step up for the coming weeks, especially in the playoffs. If I was a betting man, I’d say he’s up to the task.
- 6 solo tackles
- 7 QB pressures
- 2 sacks
- 2 QB hits
- 3 QB hurries
- 3 tackles-for-loss
RUNNER-UP: Justin Houston (4 solo tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle-for-loss, 1 forced fumble)
The Wrap
There was no shortage of disappointing performances on special teams, offense, and defense. However, it was more of a collective effort. While the game had plenty of highlights, Mahomes threw multiple interceptions and cornerback Orlando Scandrick dropped a game-winning interception.
This loss does not worry the team in the slightest, however, as their motto appears to be adapt and overcome. After losing to the Patriots in Week 6, they came back against the Cincinnati Bengals and had nothing short of a dominant performance. They continue to prove why they are one of the best teams in the National Football League, and this game was no exception to that.
With the potential of Eric Berry returning to practice as soon as Week 12, this team can only get better.