Looking Ahead?

At the beginning of last week, there was much concern among fans and media, that the Chiefs would get so caught up in looking ahead (to the looming Monday night game in Mexico City on November 19^th) that they would forget about playing host to the Arizona Cardinals in Arrowhead on November 11^th.

But on Sunday afternoon, it took 3 bombs from Mahomes to Hill, in a 3 play drive that took 56 seconds off the clock. By the time the game clock had lapsed a minute, Tyreek Hill had jumped into the stands with his first of two touchdown celebrations, and the Chiefs were on the board.

The Chiefs had not been stuck with their heads in the clouds looking ahead at all.

This first touchdown, was the 30^th touchdown pass of Patrick Mahomes’ career, which was a 37 yard bomb to Tyreek Hill in the end zone. This tied him with Len Dawson for most touchdown passes in a single season. This record had been held for 54 years and took Dawson the entire season to accomplish. Just a little over half way through the season, Mahomes broke that record with his 31^st touchdown pass. The Chiefs had 3^rd and goal, from the Cardinals 14 yard line. The football zinged out of Mahomes hands and to Tyreek Hill in the end zone for a 14 yard record-breaking touchdown.

Hill finished the game with 7 receptions for 117 yards and two touchdowns, not to mention 20 rushing yards on his only carry of the day. The only blemish on the usual outstanding offensive performance, was the 5 sacks the Cardinals managed on the Chiefs star quarterback.

On the other side of the ball, the Chiefs defense made Cardinals rookie quarterback Josh Rosen very uncomfortable with the return of Chiefs’ veteran pass rusher Justin Houston. When Cardinals’ QB Josh Rosen passed the ball to running back David Johnson, Houston reached up and snagged the ball out of the air - letting everyone know, that after a month of dealing with an injury - he was back.

The Chiefs continued to be right up in Rosen’s business all afternoon. Defensive lineman, Chris Jones, spent more time in the Cardinals back field than Cards running back David Johnson. Jones, the proverbial bull in the China shop, sacked Josh Rosen twice, forcing a fumble, logging a couple more tackles, two passes batted down and three more hits on the quarterback. One of those sacks on Cards was done almost using one of Rosen’s own lineman. 

To add to the Dee Ford, Justin Houston and Allen Baily (referred to as the Hulk by Mitch Holthus) also took the QB for a ride down the opposite end of the field. All three logged sacks against Rosen. Rosen would fight desperately for a comeback win, down 26 to 14 in the 4th, but his long pass would be intercepted by Stephen Nelson, bringing the attempt to a screeching halt and sealing yet another Chiefs victory and stifling any notions that anyone might have had about the Chiefs getting caught looking ahead.

The Chiefs next big test looms ahead. On Monday, November 19^th, the Chiefs will face arguably the best team in the NFC, the LA Rams, in Mexico City. It has been stated that while the Chiefs have one of the most high-powered offenses in the AFC, the Rams boast that same claim in the NFC. In case that were not enough to set the stage for a dramatic showdown, the Chiefs will be paying a visit to an old friend. Former Chief, Marcus Peters, cut by the Chiefs in the 2018 off season, now a Rams’ cornerback is eager to face his old teammates.  So the Monday night battle is sure to be one for the ages, and the Blind QB will be there to guide you through every play.