Around the AFC West: The division race is heating up

Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs traveled to Nashville (along with half of Kansas City) to take on the Tennessee Titans. This game hurt, friends. It hurt bad. After dislocating his knee a mere three weeks ago, this was supposed to be the triumphant return of Patrick Mahomes, and it was. He was incredible. Throwing for almost 450 yards and three touchdowns, not to mention a jump pass (?!), Mahomes was incredible. But everyone else decided that the minute the MVP returned, they could all relax.

The defense was gashed by Derrick Henry and Ryan “Runs like a Truck” Tannehill. The offense dropped passes. And I haven’t even gotten to special teams, which was atrocious. A bumbled snap between James Winchester and Dustin Colquitt along with a blocked field goal and a bone-headed fair catch at the 2- yard line sealed this game as a loss. Not to mention a 3rd and 2 play call that featured Chiefs’ star player Blake Bell. Why? Let’s just say this game led to a loooooong ranting phone call between my father and me.

Regardless, we watched the Chiefs drop to 6-4 on the season and, funny enough, the Raiders are now nipping at their heels. The Chiefs must win to protect their grasp on the AFC West and if they don’t, they are looking at the possibility of missing the playoffs.

Injuries were again not a friend to the Chiefs in this loss. Offensive lineman Martinas Rankin went down with a season ending knee injury and was placed on injured reserve. Additionally, defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah tore a pectoral muscle and will have season ending surgery on that. Both the offensive and defensive lines have been bit by the injury bug this season and bit hard. Their losses will be felt. Finally, Mitchell Schwartz snapped his snap streak when he injured his knee and had to miss three snaps. While the injury could have been much worse, I feel bad for him for the end to his impressive feat.

The Chiefs are looking to rebound in Mexico City on Monday Night Football. Assurances have been made that the field at Estadio Azteca will be perfect and Clark Hunt, in his midseason press conference, told reporters that the field is much better than it was last year. Still, I have heartburn (but isn’t this the perpetual state of a Chiefs fan? Can I get some Tums?).

This is a divisional game and those are always more competitive. The Chargers are looking to play spoiler to the Chiefs’ hopes of taking the West again. Despite the fact that Philip “Cry Me A” Rivers hasn’t looked sharp this year, he is still a Hall of Famer. Melvin Gordon looks to be getting back to form and the Chiefs run defense remains a question. While I believe this game will be close, I don’t think the Chiefs let this one slip away.

Opening line odds for the Chiefs in Week 11: -4.0.

Game time is Monday at 7:20 p.m.