Chiefs report card: This was a record-setter with much to dissect in the grades
The Chiefs fell to 9-2 overall with a 54-51 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football in Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The loss snapped a four-game win streak for the Chiefs. Both of their losses this season have come on the road.
The recap
Player of the game: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw six touchdown passes and passed for 478 yards despite turning the ball over five times.
Reason to hope: The Chiefs put up ridiculous amounts of yards and points with very limited contribution from wide receiver Sammy Watkins. Watkins, who has a foot injury, started but played only limited minutes.
Reason to mope: The Chiefs gave up more than 50 points. Twenty-one of those were off of turnovers committed by the offense.
Looking ahead: The Chiefs will have a bye this weekend following Thanksgiving. They’ll return to action the following week as they prepare to face the Oakland Raiders on Dec. 2.
Report card
Rushing offense: B+. The Rams’ rushing defense had proven vulnerable multiple times this season, but the Chiefs ran effectively — 5.5 yards per rush in the first half — while not changing their approach very much. They also played a large chunk of the third quarter from behind and the rushing attack was set aside.
Passing offense: A-. Mahomes had one of his most efficient halves throwing the football. He threw for 224 yards in the first half and had as many touchdown passes as incompletions (three each). However, the pass protection had its troubles against Rams superstar Aaron Donald, which resulted in pressure and turnovers. Mahomes committed three turnovers (two fumbles, one interception) in the first three quarters, which led to 21 Rams points. He ultimately threw three interceptions. Two receivers, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, collected more than 100 yards receiving.
Rushing defense: B-. Todd Gurley came into the night leading the NFL in rushing yards (988), but the Chiefs limited his production to 25 yards until the final minute of the third quarter, when he ripped off a 24-yard run.
Passing defense: D+. They racked up penalties early in the first quarter for multiple infractions on multiple defensive backs. The pass rush started to make an impact in the second quarter, including a sack and forced fumble that led to the go-ahead score. Chris Jones had the third multi-sack game of his career.
Special teams: C-. A missed PAT is never something that can easily be overlooked. The Rams did the same on their opening possession of the game, but one point in a game like this one can prove crucial. A personal foul on Anthony Sherman on a kickoff shifted quality coverage play into good field position for the Rams and set up another L.A. scoring drive (field goal). Another penalty wiped out a solid return by Tremon Smith after the Rams took a 10-point lead in the third. Tyreek Hill took the risk fielding a punt inside his own 5-yard line and the offense got pinned at its own 9.
Coaching: B-. After falling behind early and looking a little bit overmatched in the opening possessions on both sides, the Chiefs responded and matched the play of the Rams offensively and defensively in a back-and-forth affair. Penalties were an area you’d like to see cleaned up, but coaching gave the Chiefs a chance to win.
Lynn Worthy
Lynn Worthy covers the Kansas City Chiefs and NFL for The Star.
This story was originally published November 19, 2018 at 11:41 PM.