AFC West report: Chiefs, Chargers begin to separate themselves in Week 11

Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs hosted my husband’s Cowboys on Sunday in what was going to be a big test for both teams. The Cowboys were hoping to prove they could run with the best and the Chiefs were hoping to show that they were back and that the win against the Raiders was not a fluke. The game was a defensive clinic. The Chiefs absolutely shut down the high-powered Cowboys offense. Look, I know they were without an offensive lineman, Amari Cooper, and Ceedee Lamb for half the game, but that doesn’t excuse everything.

The offense still showed some issues—drops, stalling out, etc.—but it didn’t matter because the defense was impenetrable. Chris Jones was a monster, Frank Clark created problems, and the secondary—in particular La’Jarius Sneed, Charvarius Ward, and Rashad Fenton—all were outstanding.

If the defense consistently plays this well, you are looking at a team that could go deep in the playoffs.

Thankfully, the Chiefs are headed into the bye because there are a couple important players that are banged up. Tyrann Mathieu experienced knee swelling before the game, but played so a rest will be nice for him. Jerick McKinnon injured his hamstring, so hopefully he heals over the break as well. We are still waiting to hear definitively on Rashad Fenton’s knee, but the initial reports are that he avoided major injury.

We are also waiting to hear more on Lucas Niang and his rib injury. Hopefully he can come back after the bye (hats off to Andrew Wylie for stepping in). The Chiefs now get their Thanksgiving bye and are able to rest and heal before they hit the final stretch of the season. Their next game against the Broncos was just flexed to Sunday Night Football so the NFL is really giving Andy all the time in the world to prepare – maybe we’ll see another left handed pass?

With that, I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving and GO CHIEFS!