Bashaud Breeland, LeSean McCoy come up big for Chiefs vs. Lions

It was a nail-biter in Detroit on Sunday, but the Chiefs came out victorious. So who received our MVP, LVP, and Unsung Hero honors? We discuss.

The offense could have looked better, the defense could have looked better, and the special teams could have certainly looked better. All of that considered, the Kansas City Chiefs pulled out a surprising victory on the road against the Detroit Lions in Week 4. The Chiefs showed some grit and determination in a game also marked by sloppy play and fumbles.

In a very competitive game, the Chiefs had a few bright spots. Of course, in a game where the Chiefs fumbled the ball three times in a quarter, there were definitely some spots that were not as bright.

Without further ado, here are our MVP, LVP, and Unsung Hero for Week 4.

MVP: Bashaud Breeland, cornerback

Yes, this one may come as a surprise. The Chiefs cornerbacks have struggled throughout the last few seasons at cornerback. Bashaud Breeland has been the one consistent bright spot in the backfield. In Detroit, Breeland not only returned a fumble 100 yards for a touchdown, he also showed some very good coverage skills.

This is pretty consistent with what you see out of Breeland. He may not be a very fast cornerback, but he is sticky. Watch the top of the screen as Breeland runs stride for stride with the receiver. There’s pretty good coverage all around on this play, but it is an illustration of what Breeland’s coverage looked like throughout the game—against very good competition.

Breeland is a physical corner who brings a lockdown mentality to the Chiefs. I would argue that the addition of Breeland has been one of the best moves that Brett Veach has made this season. I’d expect that we will continue to see more of the same from him in that regard.

This is one of the most head- up plays that you will see in the NFL. Breeland doesn’t hear a whistle, so he decides to charge in and locate the football. Many times you will see a player pick up the ball and run the other direction well after the whistle has been blown. Here, you see a player scoop it up because the whistle has not been blown, and it may have won his team the game.

LVP: Sammy Watkins, wide receiver

Another surprise. Watkins went from having a huge week in Week 1 to struggling to get open in Week 4. Against Detroit, he was relatively quiet in a game that the Chiefs really needed a playmaker to come through. After reviewing the tape, Watkins was unfortunate to land on our list as this week’s LVP.

Everyone will remember that Sammy Watkins had an abominable fumble that gave the ball back to the Lions in crunch time. Although Watkins made a few nice plays, the bad ones are the ones to remember from this game. To his credit, Watkins was covered by Justin Coleman who is having a career kind of season, but this is unacceptable.

Watkins gets lost in traffic and is wide open for a touchdown. Unfortunately for Kansas City, he lets his guard down. The ball is in his hands and he thinks about waltzing into the end zone untouched and Coleman punches the ball out of his grasp. Watkins could have shielded himself or the ball, or just have fallen to the ground and it would have been six.

Unsung Hero: LeSean McCoy, running back

LeSean McCoy has been the best running back on the team to this point in the season. In every phase of the game, McCoy has showcased the ability to improvise, run tough, and block in the passing game. When watching the tape this week, he jumped off the screen, unlike many running backs. McCoy looked like himself when he played in Philadelphia.

Now, this was the longest play from scrimmage for the Chiefs all game. McCoy made three guys miss in the open field and looked very good when given adequate blocking. Unfortunately for Kansas City, the run blocking has been poor across the board. Honestly, who can blame them, when Patrick Mahomes is throwing the ball 30+ times a game? Anyway, McCoy has an excellent run here as he turns on the speed and breaks some ankles.

McCoy was the recipient of the improvised “hook and ladder” that the Chiefs ran to perfection. Additionally, McCoy has been a very good blocker when he has been asked to do so. In fact, I would argue that he has been as sure a blocker as any of the tight ends in a Chiefs uniform. McCoy did the dirty work and made plays exist where they didn’t. For that, he wins this week’s Unsung Hero award.

PAST WINNERS

Week 1

MVP: WR Sammy Watkins

LVP: CB Charvarius Ward

Unsung Hero: LB Damien Wilson

Week 2

MVP: WR Demarcus Robinson

LVP: C Austin Reiter

Unsung Hero: CB  Kendall Fuller

Week 3

MVP: TE Travis Kelce

LVP: LB Anthony Hitchens

Unsung Hero: RB Darrel Williams